Verzasca River “BoBosco” Trail for Kids

This beautiful river path has a dozen elaborate marble run activities for kids along way.  We’ve loved this river path for a long time, but love it even more now that they’ve added fun activities for kids along the way. 

Thanks to our readers Lena and Linda for providing pics and information for this post.

Gallery

Location

This theme trail is along the Verzasca river in Ticino in southern Switzerland. See on Google Maps.

Trail Overview

Here the map from the BoBosco brochure. The full trail is 5.5 km starting at Brione Pièe. But you can shorten it by starting instead at the Brione, Ganne or Brione, Motta bus stops as shown on the map.

Hiking map

This trail map shows the full trail, from Brione Pièe to Lavertezzo. The trail is very easy to follow with clear signs.

See trail map on Komoot – SchweizMobil – AllTrails – OutdoorActive

How to get there

This is a one way trail. Here are the bus stops for the four entry points of the trail:

1. Brione Pièe
2. Brione Ganne
3. Brione Motta
4. Lavertezzo Paese

By bus

From Locarno, Lugano or Bellinzona, take a train to Tenero, Stazione. Change to bus 321 that drives up the Verzasca valley. To do the full trail, get off the bus at Brione Pièe. At the end of the trail, you can catch the bus at Lavertezzo Paese and ride back to Tenero.

By car

If you come by car, you’ll need to park at one end, take the bus to the other end and walk back to your car. If I were you, I’d park in Lavertezzo, ride the bus to Brione Piee and hike back. Here are the parking areas at each entry point (click to see it on the map):

1. Brione Pièe parking
2. Bionne Ganne parking
3. Motta parking
4. Lavertezzo parking (a bit north of the village)

Bus 321 runs about once an hour between Lavertezzo Paese and Brione Pièe. Check schedule on PostAuto.ch.

Where to buy the marbles

There are several stores and vending machines where you can buy the wooden balls you need for the trail. Best if each child has their own marble. In 2023, the balls cost CHF 9 each. This money helps pay for maintenance of the trail.

Here are the sales locations near the trail:

• In Pièe – Brione Pièe vending machine and Ristorante-Pizzeria Ai Pièe (Via Cantonale, 6634 Brione)
• In Lavertezzo – Grotto al Ponte and Kiosk Lavertezzo (near bus stop)

Photo story of the trail

1. What the path looks like

The path is mostly in the forest, sometimes next to the water, sometimes higher up.

Lots of places to stop and enjoy the running water.

The trail passes through tiny villages are that are so attractive with their stone buildings.

Mountain views too.

2. BoBosco activities on the trail

Here are a few pics of the amusements on the trail. On this one, the ball rolls down the logs on the side of the path.

A similar marble run built onto the rock wall.

The ball spirals around in this water track.

Multiple tracks scattered around the forest.

Balls roll out of this nest like eggs.

Another downhill track and feeding balls to the caterpillar.

3. Ending the trail at Lavertezzo

As you approach Lavertezzo, there are a few buildings and a restaurant.

To reach the bus stop, cross this famous bridge where brave souls jump off into the icy water.

On hot days, a lot of people come here to swim. It can be dangerous with the current and cold temperatures. Get some tips in my Valle Verzasca swimming post.

Hope you enjoy this trail!