Advice on Centovalli Train
 

I'd like to spend one of my three days in Stresa (end of August) taking the Centovalli train. Most reports I've read talk about going from Domodossola to Locarno on the train and taking the boat back to Stresa. How does one get to Domodossola from Stresa? Which side of the train should one sit on for the better views? Are reservations necessary? People also talk about various cable cars to mountain tops and about taking hikes, but how does one work this in with the train? I mean, do you get off the train at one stop, hike to the next stop, and then get on the next train (using the same ticket?)? Which are the best cable cars to take, and which are the best hikes?

I know I've asked a lot of questions, but I will be grateful to all who answer.

Dick,

Let me preface this by stating that I've never taken the Centovalli train or the boat on Lago Maggiore, but I have passed by Domodossola and Stresa numerous times on my way from Geneva to Milan.

There is quite frequent train service between Stresa and Domodossola as both towns are on the Simplon line to Switzerland. Your best bet for train schedules (for both the Stresa-Domodossola and Centovalli portions) is probably:
www.rail.ch

www.centovalli.ch
contains a wealth of information on that portion of your journey. I imagine that sitting on the right hand side of the train (when facing the front) would give you the best views.

For the lake boats, check the following site (almost only in Italian though):
www.navigazionelaghi.it

No reservations are needed, except if you take a Cisalpino train from Stresa to Domodossola (this will be mentioned on the rail.ch site). Yes, you can get on and off all day long. There appears to be a combo ticket called "Lago Maggiore Express" for EUR 23 which covers the entire route.

Some suggested itineraries w/schedules can be found at:
http://www.navigazionelaghi.it/itali...magexpress.htm
Click on the blue dots to the right of itineraries A and B for schedule info.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Dick, This is one of my favorite topics! I have never gone from Stresa to Domodossola so I don't know how you get there. But, I took the Centovalli train both last year and this year.

One of my best days ever was taking the train from Locarno to Camedo (at the Swiss/Italian border) and renting a bike at the station and riding back to Ponte Brolle (two stops before Locarno). It was all downhill, very easy, very safe, and incredibly beautiful! I stopped at one place to take a gondola up to the top of the mountain for spectacular views. There was a lovely little grotto restaurant at the top and lots of hiking trails. At that same stop (I need to check my records to tell you what the stop was) was another gondola going across the gorge to a small village on the other side. There are hiking trails there too. My hotel gave me brochures for different hikes from one train station to the next. (Unfortunately, I'm not home now so don't have them on hand). I'm guessing your hotel, or a travel office will also have those brochures.

The entire 2 hour trip is really lovely, with more vineyards and rusticas on the Italian side, and more gorges and forests on the Swiss side. It's impossible to tell you which side of the train to chose... you will be hopping from one side to the other. Have your camera ready!

I will also note that the river and gorges were very empty in June this year. I think it's been a drought year.

The hydrofoil (fast boat) from Locarno to Stresa is also really fun. It stops at lots of charming towns along the lake and it's a very relaxing lovely trip.

From Locarno, I highly recommend a trip to Bellinzona (20 min. from Locarno by train). The 3 ancient castles are well worth visiting.

I have some travel journals on Virtual Tourist with picturs of these spots. Have a great time. It's a wonderful area!

http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/4f0ef/491/

Andre and Grasshopper, thank you so much for all this wonderful information. It was reading Grasshopper's previous posts about the Centovalli that convinced me I must do it, and now her virtual tourist journals reinforce that. Andre's links will help me work out the details. Thank you both.

What wonderful detailed advice from 2 generous travelers--this is what this forum is all about.