Anzano: historic villages and trails in Val Malvaglia

Anzano combines a history as a historic village with hiking and cycling routes in Val Malvaglia. It lies at an altitude of 1,350 metres, halfway up the slope on the sunnier right-hand side of the valley, facing southeast. This location and the routes described here give you concrete points of reference when considering Anzano as a travel destination.

Landscape and history of Anzano

Anzano lies on a broad, grassy terrace on the slopes of Cima di Piancabella. From here, the village overlooks the valley floor from the artificial reservoir near Madra. Anzano is one of the five surviving historic villages of Val Malvaglia. Until the middle of the 20th century, it was one of the villages inhabited year-round. Val Malvaglia is included in the Swiss Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance; its stone and wooden settlements sit alongside a natural landscape regarded as unspoilt and partly wild.

A prominent historical landmark is the Oratorio di San Bartolomeo, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and documented since 1581. It features frescoes in the style of Hans Jakob Breutter. The first known mention of Anzano dates to 1405, when it was called “de Mezano.” Historically, Anzano and Dandrio shared a communal oven; Anzano was also home to a school for the villages of Val Malvaglia. A 16th-century Northern European altarpiece depicting the Apostles, from Anzano, is now kept at the Museum of Lottigna.

Hikes and village centres

The Sentiero delle Ville runs from Dagro and Ciavasch via Anzano and Dandrio and back again. It follows a paved road and passes the valley’s main historic village centres. The hike is described as taking four hours, with a T1 difficulty rating and 150 metres of elevation gain. This lets you assess the route based on its stated duration and rating, without mistaking it for a mountain hike.

Another route is the Sentiero dei monti from Dagro to Capanna Quarnei. It is listed as taking around 4 hours and 30 minutes, with 700 metres of elevation gain and a T2 rating. The two hikes therefore differ not only in their routes: their stated time commitments are relatively close, while their elevation figures and ratings differ considerably. When planning, check the latest route conditions and classifications, as these may change.

A turnoff from Anzano leads to the hamlet of Garmagnunagh, also known as Germanionico. This rural settlement comprises 17 now-abandoned alpine farmsteads, or farms. The old larch-wood buildings tell of a former life of hard work. Further afield in the region, the Furbeda waterfall lies just beyond Dandrio.

Cycling through Val Malvaglia

The Valle-Malvaglia-Bike-Route runs from Dagro to Anzano first, then climbs to Cusiè. Its high-altitude route offers sweeping views as it crosses Val Malvaglia and the surrounding mountains; it is predominantly oriented south-southeast and passes typical small settlements and conifer plantations. The route follows a mix of paved and unpaved paths.

The full route is listed as 18 kilometres and 2 hours 30 minutes, with 551 metres of ascent and descent each. The route profile comprises 7.5 kilometres of asphalt, 6 kilometres of natural trail and 4.5 kilometres of path. These figures describe both the time required and the different surfaces; check the latest route details before setting off.

Historic sites and connections in the region

Further afield in the region around Anzano, Castello di Serravalle stands on a rocky outcrop at the entrance to Valle di Blenio, between Malvaglia to the east and Semione to the west. Strada degli studenti was built between 1934 and 1939 to connect the villages of Val Malvaglia. Together with the historic village centres and the hiking and cycling routes described here, these places reveal a region where settlement history and landscape are closely intertwined.

Discover more destinations: Dangio, Torre, Campo, Aquila.

View the main travel overview: Blenio.