The river and the border zone

The border is very apparent in terms of the local landscape too: the Italian side of the border is very cold and does not receive as much sunlight, making it more impervious and less luxuriant. The differences in climate are particularly apparent in the autumn. In fact the leaves change colour at different times along the line, extending the period of autumn colours and offering a truly spectacular sight.

In this stretch of the route, the tracks run alongside the River Melezzo, which becomes the Melezza in Swiss territory. The valley contracts and the river flows through a narrow gorge offering glimpses of the mediaeval Mallione bridge. Once it reaches Switzerland, the Melezza joins the River Isorno, before flowing into the River Maggia and ending up in Lake Maggiore.