- Brief description
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This is a tour for complete mountain bikers who like technical climbs and descents. The climb from Rasa to Casone is quite technical and physical. Only the fittest and technically good riders will ride the whole climb. The descent back to Losone is a good mix of Ticinese flow and Tech.
- Difficulty
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difficult
- Rating
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- Starting point
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Locarno Train Station
- Route
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Maniss (246 m)0.0 kmMuralto (207 m)0.2 kmLocarno (195 m)0.8 kmLosone (238 m)3.4 kmGolino campo sportivo8.2 kmGolino8.4 kmCampanile9.8 kmIntragna (366 m)10.0 kmChiesa di San Gottardo10.0 kmSalmina12.3 kmCorcapolo (466 m)12.4 kmVerdasio (534 m)15.0 kmGrotto Chiridone dal Luis15.1 kmRasa (892 m)16.1 kmChiesa di Sant'Anna16.2 kmRasa (898 m)16.2 kmMonti17.2 kmMonte Sassello22.1 kmCorona dei Pinci (1,294 m)22.5 kmCa Bianche24.8 kmAlpe Zot25.0 kmLosone (238 m)29.8 kmMuralto (207 m)35.3 kmLocarno (195 m)35.5 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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From Locarno the ride goes on a mixture of paved and unpaved roads through Ascona and into the Centovalli. Once in the Centovalli there is a number of kilometers on a road with a fair amount of traffic to the valley station of the Rasa lift at Verdasio. (unfortunately the trains here don't take bikes).
The lift from Verdasio to Rasa is small and quite a challenge for those who are scared of heights.
Rasa is nestled into the hillside on a sunny terrace overlooking the Centovalli. and boasts a permanent population of approximately 20 people. We didn't spot any shops, not even a village store (I could be wrong though) but there are apparently a couple of guest houses amongst the few houses there. Looking around we really did feel like we were in the village that time forgot. The only modern item we saw was the quite new looking bright yellow post box.
Once in Rasa the tour properly begins with a singletrail climb the whole way up to Casone, followed by a narrow traverse and a really nice 1100m descent to Losone. This is definitely a tour for the "All Mountain" lovers.
A blog post about this tour can be found here.
- Directions
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From Locarno train station make your way west to the river Maggia, cross the river and follow the lefthand bank Northwest past Losone until the tributary river Malezza. Here turn left and follow the left bank of the river Malezza west until Golino.
In Golino follow the main road up the Centovalli towards Intragna and keep going until you get to the valley station of the Rasa lift at Verdasio. (approx 6km).
In Verdasio take the lift to Rasa and then follow the higing signs for Monti, Termine and then Casone.
Pass the clearing at Casone and on towards the Hamlet of Survi. The trail starts off very narrow as it traverses the hillside through the clearing but soon it gets into the woods, starts to point gently downhill. Keep heading towards Alp Zat and then skirt around the hillside to eastwards towards Val de Checc. Shortly before Val de Checc turn left and the trail gets a little more technical as it makes it's way towards San Giorgio.
From San Giorgio make your way back towards Locarno for a well deserved Pizza by the lake.
- Highest point
- 1,311 m
- Endpoint
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Locarno Train Station
- Height profile
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© outdooractive.com - Equipment
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An "All Mountain" or Enduro style bike with a dropper seatpost is advised for this ride.
- Safety instructions
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The climb to Casone is at times exposed and a little technical. Especially when climbing. I stalled on an obstacle once and fell to the outside. Luckily I saved myself, but the bike fell approximately 40m. Only very experienced riders should even think about riding parts of this climb.
- Tips
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Only attempt to ride the climb from Rasa to Casone if you are very good at technical climbing.
- Additional information
- Directions
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From the north Take the A2 to Bellinzona, pass Bellinzona and take the exit for Locarno.
- Public transportation
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Regular train connections are available to Locarno via Bellinzona. These often involve ICN trains which require an extra reservation for your bike.
Timetable:
- Parking
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Parking is available near the lake towards Ascona or in a Multistory carpark in Locarno.
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AuthorThe tour Rasa is used by outdooractive.com provided.
