Parco delle Gole della Breggia

The Parco delle Gole della Breggia is located in the Lower Muggio Valley and develops along the river of the same name, between the municipalities of Balerna, Castel San Pietro, Morbio Inferiore and Breggia.

The Breggia river discovers, in just one and a half kilometres, rocks that open a unique window on the Earth's past. It is the geology that makes this Park one of the most important geotypes in Switzerland; but this place is also a treasure chest of biodiversity and a silent witness of the local economic and industrial history.

A visit to the Park takes you on a journey through 200 million years of geological history and 2000 years of human history.

The itinerary starts on the hill of Castel San Pietro, where there are the remains of the medieval castle and the Red Church dating back to the 14th century, which preserves beautiful Gothic frescoes (the church is normally closed. The visit is possible and must be agreed with the Cottarelli-Günther family (+41 79 685 26 31 / +41 76 560 19 37). Possibility to reach Castel San Pietro by post bus (stop Castel San Pietro Posta).

Going down along the marked path, you will reach the Punt da Canaa and the remains of the Canaa Mill. The water seems to mark a time line, it slides and digs in this point the flint limestone, the oldest marine sediments of the Park. Going down towards the south, these are enriched with clay and fossils (ammonites), they change colour and as you get closer to the Ghitello Mill, they become more recent.
Reached the "Prato delle Streghe", a welcoming clearing equipped for stopping, here is the Ponte del Farügin (or Punt dal Diavul). This passage between the two banks of the valley is the best point, as well as the highest, for observing the gorges dug by the Breggia river.

At the end of the descent, attention inevitably falls on the imposing structure of the former cement factory, evidence of an industrial past that today can be deepened by participating in the Cement Trail.

The path continues until it reaches the Ghitello Mill, one of the most complete and best preserved hydraulic factories in Switzerland. Dating back to 1606, it remained active until the 1960s and was then restored. It currently houses two multifunctional spaces, the educational support laboratory, a garden set up as a picnic area and the Casa del Vino Ticino restaurant, which promotes Ticino wine in the local gastronomic culture. A place for meetings, training, events and wine tastings.

The itinerary ends in Morbio Inferiore, where one of the Park's car parks is located behind the Breggia Shopping Centre.