Discover Faido: Belle Époque and trails in the Valle Leventina

Faido is a municipality in Switzerland, in the canton of Ticino, and the main town of the Leventina district. It lies in the Valle Leventina between the mountains and the Ticino River; the municipality encompasses forests, meadows and alpine elevations. When planning a trip, both cultural history and outdoor trails and activities are therefore worth considering. Faido railway station is connected to the Gotthard Railway; regional bus routes complement public transport to the surrounding municipalities. If you are looking for a hotel in Faido, these local highlights can help you choose your destination.

Belle Époque and architectural history

During the Belle Époque, from 1896 to 1914, Faido became the canton of Ticino’s third most important tourist centre. A guided Belle Époque tour starts at Faido railway station and passes old hotels and villas, or follows the scenic Sentiero dei Lazzaroni. Casa Selvini is a tangible example of the region’s architectural history. The rear stone section of the building dates from the 14th century, while the front wooden section is dated 1582. Its wooden façade and shingle roof are characteristic of a typical Leventina home, now considered a cultural asset of national importance. The stone and wood make it possible to compare the building’s different construction phases directly.

Monastery and sawmill

A guided visit to the Capuchin monastery in Faido also includes the rooms where the brothers live, work and pray. The visit includes a historic library established in 1720, with around 5,600 volumes. The Segheria di Faido houses a historic horizontal saw, considered the only one of its kind still operating in Switzerland. There is also a focus on the forest: a room dedicated to it screens a documentary about its history, and there is an exhibition on mushrooms and insects. Local cultural history thus encompasses historic buildings and collections, as well as crafts and nature.

Trails with different profiles

Faido’s trails vary in length and the landscapes they explore. The educational trail at the Cascata Piumogna is 2 km long and has an elevation difference of around 100 m around the waterfall. The 1 km-long Sentiero degli animali runs alongside the Ticino River. It is therefore half as long as the educational trail; one route focuses on the waterfall, the other on the river. You can also reach the sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna di Re from Faido via a woodland walk. It was built between 1839 and 1841 on the site of an existing chapel. The GiocaFaido route passes through Faido and explores the region’s nature, Belle Époque and energy. As a quiz-based route, it offers another way to engage with these themes: take part using a form on the back of the map or via QR codes on the signs.

Sports facilities in Faido

There are also specific places to go for sports activities. Pump Track Faido is open daily and free of charge, and can be used with bicycles, roller skates, kick scooters or skateboards. The MTB Skill Park is near the sports centre, is open daily, and is designed for technical training and improving riding skills. The facility includes various obstacles and structures. The bouldering wall in Faido is open to everyone free of charge. As it is covered, it can be used for bouldering year-round, regardless of the weather. The pump track, skill park and bouldering wall therefore differ both in the activities they offer and in their facilities.

Discover more destinations: Calonico, Sobrio, Cavagnago, Giornico, Lavorgo, Airolo, Campello, Chironico

For the overview of the wider area: Leventina.