Discover Rasa: Hiking and Village Culture

Rasa is a village in the Centovalli in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. At an altitude of 900 metres, it sits on a sunny natural terrace, surrounded by meadows and forests. Rasa is considered a typical, well-preserved Ticino village. The village offers different points of interest to help you choose a destination: the landscape and hiking, as well as gardens, village views and religious art.

Landscape and trails around Rasa

Stone houses surround the church, and the gardens have well-kept flower beds. At the picnic spots, you can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. Rasa provides access to numerous hikes in the Centovalli. Trails through the landscape are therefore among the key things to consider when thinking of Rasa as a destination for a stay.

One specific destination for an outing is the swing from the “Swing the World” project, located less than ten minutes above Rasa. In autumn, a short path through the forest leads there; from the swing, you can look out over the village. As the location may change, check before your visit whether the swing is still there. This lets you include the stop in your plans without confusing it with the hikes in the wider area.

Churches and art

The Church of Sant’Anna in Rasa dates from the 18th century and has three altars. Its marble altars are neoclassical in design; the baptismal font dates from the 17th century. A painting of the Madonna with Saint Anne is attributed to Pietro Ligario of Sondrio. These details give the church interior its own art-historical character and bring together different dates: the baptismal font belongs to the 17th century, while the church is assigned to the 18th century.

Another work can be found in the Chapel of Madonna del Rosario. It has an antependium featuring Antonio Ciseri’s “S. Anna e Maria bambina,” an oil painting on copper from 1847. Those interested in religious art will find another specific artistic feature in Rasa, in addition to the church’s furnishings.

A break and a view of the region

In Rasa, you can enjoy a typical meal and a refreshing drink at a grotto. This adds an option for a meal during your stay to the hiking and cultural highlights.

The Centovalli Railway is part of the wider landscape of the Centovalli, running between Locarno and Domodossola through forested mountains, hills and valleys. Numerous waterfalls plunge into the Melezza River. This regional setting adds to the immediate impressions of Rasa, without equating local walks and hikes with a railway route.

Getting there and planning

The “Camedo-Bordei-Terra Vecchia-Rasa” hike can be reached by public transport. Check the current connections before setting off. The Verdasio–Rasa cable car is closed for renovation work from 1 January 2026 until spring 2027. If you are travelling during this period, take the closure into account when planning and check the latest transport information before setting off.

There are different considerations to weigh when choosing a destination: hikes from Rasa lead into the Centovalli, while church art and flower beds are found in the village. Picnic spots offer mountain views; the swing provides a view of Rasa. Consider whether trails and landscape or religious artworks are more important for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Corippo, Locarno, Personico, Tegna, Contone, Solduno, Indemini, Brione

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