Lago di Vogorno Monastery
Ticino reservoir beneath steep canyon and dam
Reservoir in Ticino's Verzasca valley created by a dam above the village of Vogorno; hikers and photographers visit for steep valley scenery, water reflections and mountain trails.
Lago di Vogorno at a Glance#
Address: Lago di Vogorno (Verzasca Reservoir), near Vogorno, Ticino, Switzerland
Admission: Free
About Lago di Vogorno#
Lago di Vogorno is a reservoir in the canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland, created by impounding the Verzasca valley near the village of Vogorno. The water body is integral to local hydroelectric infrastructure and sits within a steep valley.
Trails and viewpoints above the reservoir provide access to the dramatic valley scenery and the dam structures that regulate the lake. Recreational activity focuses on hiking and landscape viewing rather than extensive water-based recreation.
The reservoir resulted from dam construction in the Verzasca valley; its creation altered the natural river course and created a storage basin used for power generation. Infrastructure around the lake supports both technical access and visitor viewpoints.
It is located in the Verzasca valley in Ticino, surrounded by steep, forested slopes and reachable from villages in the valley and the wider Locarno region.
- Reservoir: Is a reservoir created by valley impoundment near the village of Vogorno and is most notable for the dam and the surrounding Verzasca valley scenery.
How to Get to Lago di Vogorno#
From Locarno: drive up the Verzasca valley toward Vogorno (approx. 30-40 minutes). Public buses run into the valley during tourist season; parking and trailheads are signed near the village.
Tips for Visiting Lago di Vogorno#
- From Vogorno, take the marked footpaths for a scenic loop around the reservoir and to see the dam views.
- Combine with a visit to the Verzasca Valley and the famous stone bridge at Lavertezzo for a full-day itinerary.
- Watch for steep, shaded sections on trails - moss and wet rock can be slippery.
Best Time to Visit Lago di Vogorno#
Late spring to early autumn for hiking and valley exploration; winter trails may be icy.
Weather & Climate near Lago di Vogorno#
Lago di Vogorno's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 25°C. Abundant rainfall (1443 mm/year), wettest in June.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 6° | 1° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 8° | 1° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 11° | 5° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | 3° - 14° | 8° | 127 mm | overcast | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 18° | 13° | 160 mm | overcast | 72% | 1.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 12° - 22° | 17° | 165 mm | overcast | 71% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 25° | 19° | 138 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 1.8 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 14° - 24° | 19° | 157 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 1.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 15° | 10° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 4° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 7° | 1° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |