Autumn in the Locarno Region: A Sea of Colours, Chestnuts and Major Ev
When the days north of the Alps start getting shorter and greyer, the Locarno region reveals one of its most beautiful sides. Around Locarno, Ascona and Lake Maggiore, Mediterranean flair meets golden forests, crisp mountain air and traditional Ticino autumn celebrations.
In the Verzasca Valley and Maggia Valley, chestnut forests turn warm shades of red, gold and copper. The scent of roasted chestnuts fills the villages, while the lakeside becomes pleasantly peaceful after the lively summer months.
Whether for a long weekend or a few relaxing days away, autumn is a wonderful time to visit Ticino: hike, enjoy great food, experience local culture – and soak up a little more southern sunshine before winter arrives.
Autumn Hiking in the Verzasca and Maggia Valleys
Few places showcase Ticino's autumn colours as beautifully as the valleys surrounding Locarno.
In the Verzasca Valley, autumn forests create a striking contrast with the river's turquoise waters and the region's characteristic stone houses. Villages such as Lavertezzo, Brione and Sonogno are ideal starting points for walks and hikes.
The Maggia Valley is equally enchanting in autumn, with chestnut forests, traditional stone rustici, picturesque villages and numerous hiking trails inviting you to explore at your own pace.
For a view from above, head up from Locarno towards Cardada and Cimetta. On clear autumn days, the panorama stretches across Lake Maggiore and deep into the surrounding mountains.
Chestnuts, Grotti and Ticino's Autumn Cuisine
October in the Locarno region is traditionally the season of the Castagnate.
At these chestnut festivals, locals and visitors come together over freshly roasted chestnuts, music and regional specialities. In October 2026, numerous Castagnate will once again take place throughout the region, including in Sonogno, Muralto, Gordevio, Brissago, Vogorno, Cevio, Mergoscia and Gordemo.
It's also the perfect time to visit a traditional Ticino grotto. Polenta, local cheeses and cured meats, accompanied by a glass of Merlot, taste even better after an autumn hike.
Visitors arriving in late October or early November can also experience the traditional Rassegna gastronomica della carne di capra, when restaurants across the Locarno region and Maggia Valley serve regional specialities centred around goat meat.
From Settimane Musicali to classicAscona
Autumn 2026 is also a particularly exciting time for culture lovers visiting Lake Maggiore.
The prestigious Settimane Musicali Ascona, a fixture of Ticino's cultural calendar since 1946, are beginning a new chapter: in 2026, the festival will appear for the first time under its new name, classicAscona.
The 81st edition takes place from 18 September to 10 October 2026, with around 50 events. Concerts, projects for emerging musicians, masterclasses and special formats bring together music, culture, landscape and the Mediterranean spirit of the region.
International artists appearing at the festival include Cecilia Bartoli, Sol Gabetta, Vilde Frang, Julia Lezhneva and Nemanja Radulović.
Many events take place in remarkable venues across Ascona and Locarno, including the Chiesa San Francesco in Locarno and the Chiesa del Collegio Papio in Ascona.
A concert evening is therefore the perfect excuse to extend your stay: spend the day hiking or exploring the lake, followed by an evening of classical music in a historic setting.
Ascona-Locarno Run: Running Along Lake Maggiore
Just after classicAscona comes another of the region's major autumn events.
The Ascona-Locarno Run takes place on 10 and 11 October 2026.
The routes lead through Locarno and along Lake Maggiore towards Ascona. Events include the Kids Run, 5 km Sunset Run, 10 km Run, Walking & Nordic Walking, and the 21.1 km Half Marathon.
The famous Piazza Grande in Locarno serves as the heart of the event, with the main start and finish area.
And you don't have to be a runner to enjoy it. The event is also a great occasion for families and supporters to combine a sporting weekend with a few extra days by Lake Maggiore.
Lake Maggiore Returns to a Slower Pace
After summer, tranquillity gradually returns to the lake.
It's the perfect time for a stroll along Ascona's lakeside promenade, a coffee on Piazza Grande in Locarno or an aperitivo overlooking Lake Maggiore.
And autumn is when the advantages of having your own holiday apartment or holiday home really come into their own: there's no need to plan every day in advance.
Verzasca today, Ascona tomorrow. Spend one day hiking and the next sleeping in, shopping at a local market and cooking at home. Perhaps go to a concert in the evening – or spontaneously head out for dinner at a traditional grotto.
Having time to yourself may just be one of the greatest luxuries of autumn in Ticino.
A Few Days in the South Before Winter Arrives
The beauty of autumn in the Locarno region lies in the combination of experiences.
Start the morning with a walk through a golden chestnut forest. Stop for lunch at a grotto. Spend the afternoon strolling along Lake Maggiore, followed by a concert in Locarno or Ascona in the evening.
And at the end of the day, return to your own holiday apartment – perhaps with a balcony, a garden or views of the Ticino mountains.
If you're looking for sunshine, nature, great food and a touch of Mediterranean lifestyle in September or October, you don't have to travel far.
The South begins right here in Locarno.
Fancy a Few Autumn Days in Ticino?
Discover HolAp's holiday apartments and holiday homes in the Locarno region and find your home away from home for a long weekend or a relaxing autumn break on Lake Maggiore.
