The double-arched Ponte dei Salti over the green Verzasca river at Lavertezzo

Lavertezzo and the Verzasca Valley: the stone bridge over the green river

Lavertezzo is a small stone village in Ticino, famous for a double-arched bridge over clear green water. Here is how to visit it well: when to go, how to get there, where to swim safely and what else the valley offers.

Hotels in and near LavertezzoSwimming safety

  • Independent guide, not the municipality or a tourism office
  • Facts with sources, "about" where numbers vary
  • Updated October 2026

Photo: Maureliusz, CC0

Lavertezzo is a village of old stone houses in the Verzasca Valley (Valle Verzasca), above Locarno in Ticino, southern Switzerland. Its centrepiece is the Ponte dei Salti, a bridge with two arches that spans a river so clear it looks painted. The village sits at about 540 metres and is roughly 20 km from Locarno.

This site gathers what you need to plan a visit: the bridge itself, how to get to Lavertezzo, the safe way to swim, hikes along the river and the other places in the valley worth your time.

Plan your visit

Start herePonte dei SaltiFree30 min to a whole afternoonThe bridge, the rock slabs and the green poolsRead guide Swimming safetyRead first5 min readRiver level, cold water, storms and slippery rockRead guide Getting thereBy car or busAbout 25 to 40 min from LocarnoParking, PostBus and train linksRead guide Nearest airportFly to Milan or ZurichAbout 2 to 3 hours to the valleyAirports compared, with car, train and transferRead guide HikesFree1 hour to a full dayRiverside paths and old stone villagesRead guide

Safety first. The Verzasca can rise within minutes after rain upstream, even when the sky above you is clear. Do not swim during or after rain or thunderstorms. Our swimming safety page explains what to check.

When to come

Summer is the busiest time. For swimming, July to early September after several dry days is the usual window; the water is still cool. Spring and early autumn are quieter and better for walking. See best time to visit Lavertezzo and the weather guide.

Beyond the bridge

The valley is more than one photo spot. The Verzasca Dam near the valley mouth is a 220 m concrete wall. Corippo and Sonogno show what traditional stone architecture looks like. And Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona and Lugano are all within a day trip, as we explain in the tours and day trips guide.

Getting there from the airport

Flying in? Compare the nearest airports, follow the route from Malpensa to Lavertezzo, check the PostBus 321 timetable notes or plan a rental car and parking.

Where to sleep

Lavertezzo itself has only a handful of places to stay. Many visitors sleep in Locarno or Ascona on Lake Maggiore and drive or take the bus up the valley. Read the Lavertezzo hotels guide to choose.

Check stays in and near LavertezzoMany options can be cancelled free of charge

Frequently asked questions

What is Lavertezzo famous for?

Its double-arched stone bridge, the Ponte dei Salti, which crosses the Verzasca river where the water runs clear green between smooth rock slabs. It is one of the most photographed spots in Ticino.

Can you swim at Ponte dei Salti?

Many visitors do in summer, but the river is cold and can rise fast after rain or mountain storms. Never swim during or after rain, and read our swimming safety page before you go.

Is Lavertezzo worth a day trip?

Yes. It is about 20 km from Locarno, the bridge and river take a few hours, and you can add the dam, Corippo or Sonogno in the same day with a car or the PostBus.

Is this the official Lavertezzo website?

No. Lavertezzo.com is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the municipality or by Ticino tourism.

Keep planning

Ponte dei Salti Ponte dei Salti in Lavertezzo: how to get to the bridge, best time for photos, swimming and jumping risks, parking and what else to see nearby. Read guide Swimming safety Is it safe to swim in the Verzasca at Lavertezzo? Cold water, rises after rain, slippery rock and jumping risks, plus a checklist and emergency numbers. Read guide Getting there How to get to Lavertezzo and Ponte dei Salti from Locarno, Lugano, Zurich and Milan: driving times, the PostBus along the valley, trains and parking tips. Read guide Hikes Hiking around Lavertezzo and the Verzasca Valley: riverside walks to the Ponte dei Salti, paths to Corippo and Sonogno, trail signs, safety and maps. Read guide Things to do The best things to do in Lavertezzo: Ponte dei Salti, river swimming, riverside hikes, the Verzasca Dam, Corippo, Sonogno and day trips to Locarno. Read guide Hotels Where to stay for Lavertezzo and the Ponte dei Salti: sleeping in the Verzasca Valley versus Locarno or Ascona, what to expect, and live hotel prices on a map. Read guide Tours & day trips Bookable Verzasca Valley tours and day trips from Lugano, Locarno and Lake Como, with Ticino add-ons: Locarno, Ascona, Bellinzona, Bavona Valley and Lugano. Read guide Lavertezzo village Lavertezzo paese (the village): stone houses, church, the Ponte dei Salti, the Sentiero per l'Arte, where to eat and park, and how long to stay. Read guide Sonogno hike Lavertezzo to Sonogno hike (Sentierone/Sentiero Verzasca): distance, time, ascent, direction, bus return, what to bring and safety near the river. Read guide Brione Verzasca Brione Verzasca in the Verzasca Valley: historic stone houses, the church with medieval frescoes, Castello Marcacci, walks, PostBus and how it fits a day trip. Read guide Vogorno Vogorno and Lago di Vogorno in the Verzasca Valley: the dam lake, the village, San Bartolomeo church, walks, views and how it fits a trip to Lavertezzo. Read guide