From Lake Maggiore to the Maggia River. The Curated Beach Buggy Drive Collection

Three thoughtfully curated routes, each beginning and ending in Ascona, offer fresh perspectives on the region: climbing towards iconic viewpoints, winding through villages and valleys, and following the Maggia River into its dramatic valley. Each route has its own distinct rhythm. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to pause whenever a view, a village or a stretch of shoreline feels too inviting to pass by.

1. The Explorer Loop: Winding roads, striking contrasts

Route: Ascona – Monte Verità – Ronco sopra Ascona – Intragna – Tegna – Ponte Brolla – Ascona

Length: Approx. 30 km / 1 hour (not including stops)

Perfect if you’re looking for: Changing scenery, winding roads and unforgettable photo stops

Expect a drive that’s: Varied and winding, with a hint of adventure

This signature drive traces many of the landscapes that define the region: a whistle-stop tour of highlights in a single loop. The route begins with lake views and sweeping panoramas, continues through gentle hills, then dips into the valley before ending among water and striking rock formations. It’s ideal if you’re in the mood for variety – and the occasional photo stop along the way.

The drive begins with the ascent up Monte Verità. From the vantage point in the park atop the hill – a place long associated with artists, thinkers and cultural exchange – the view opens out across the spectacular waters of Lake Maggiore.

From here the road continues to Ronco sopra Ascona, a town aptly dubbed as the ‘balcony over Lake Maggiore’. From here, the lake appears even more expansive; on clear days, the Brissago Islands lie like brushstrokes on the water.

A short detour leads to Intragna, where the scenery changes again: narrow village lanes and the rustic flair of the Centovalli. Rising above the rooftops is the tallest church tower in the canton – a striking way to take in the view from above.

Finding the river, the final stretch of the tour takes on a distinctly summery feel. Around Tegna and Ponte Brolla, the Maggia river shapes the landscape, with natural swimming spots, polished boulders and dramatic gorge formations. Ponte Brolla marks the point where the Maggia leaves the narrow gorge of the Maggia valley and flows out towards the plain.

2. The Panoramic Loop: Mountain air and wide horizons

Route: Ascona – Madonna del Sasso – Brione/Contra – Ascona

Length: Approx. 25 km / 50 mins (not including stops)

Perfect if you’re looking for: Maximum views in minimal time; iconic vantage points

Expect a drive that’s: Dramatic, elevated and all about the views

Big views in a compact loop: perfect if time is short but you’re in the mood for a genuine wow moment. This drive takes in a remarkable regional viewpoint followed by a scenic stretch along the sunlit terraces above Locarno.

The highlight is Madonna del Sasso, a sanctuary and famous site of pilgrimage. Perched on a rocky outcrop high above the town, it looks out across Lake Maggiore, Locarno and the Maggia delta — a vista that leaves little need for words. If you wish, you can combine your visit to the Madonna del Sasso with a ride on the historic Locarno–Orselina–Madonna del Sasso funicular, a scenic climb in its own right.

The route continues via Brione sopra Minusio and Contra: small villages on sun-drenched hillsides, with terraced views and roads that wind in gentle curves through the landscape. These slopes are known among hikers for their sweeping panoramas: a sense of openness that can be savoured just as vividly from the seat of your beach buggy. As the route turns back towards Ascona, the road becomes gentler again, bringing the tour to a relaxed, easy close.

3. The River Loop: A laid-back drive through the Maggia valley

Route: Ascona – Maggia – Giumaglio – Ascona

Length: Approx. 40 km / 1h20 (not including stops)

Perfect for: Nature lovers, families and peaceful moments by the river

Expect a drive that’s: Easy-going, close to nature and pleasantly sunlit

The vibe of this route is ‘road trip light’. It’s easy-going, immersed in nature and dotted with places you’ll want to linger – whether because the water looks impossibly clear or because the valley suddenly opens wide around you. Choose this route if you’re travelling with family or if you simply prefer to take things at a more laid-back pace.

From Ascona, the route follows the river into the Maggia valley, an area known for its traditional Ticinese villages and unspoilt landscapes. The Maggia river itself is a constant companion along the way: emerald-green water, smoothly buffed stones and natural pools that invite a pause by the shore.

In the village of Maggia and further on towards the village of Giumaglio, the scenery begins to shift: less lake, more valley, and the unmistakable feeling of the mountains drawing closer. Giumaglio is known for its striking canyon terrain, well known among canyoning enthusiasts. Even from the road, the landscape readily shows its wilder side.

On the return journey, the views gradually open out again towards the lake. A gentle return towards the water – and perhaps a little more time by the shore back at the Hotel Eden Roc.

Three routes, three moods…

…and all three leading back to Ascona. The beach buggy lets you choose the kind of drive the day calls for: a whistle-stop tour of spectacular viewpoints, a winding drive through ever-changing landscapes, or an easy cruise through the Maggia Valley. Along the way there’s always time for a spontaneous stop, a photo you’ll treasure forever or a quiet moment by the water.

Back at Hotel Eden Roc, the day winds down by the lake, in the relaxed ambience of Switzerland’s only true beach resort. A simple drive; a day well spent.