Bagni di Craveggia

About Bagni di Craveggia

The Bagni di Craveggia are among the most unusual free hot springs in Italy, and also among the most remote. They are on Italian territory, in the municipality of Craveggia, but at the far end of the Onsernone valley, a few steps from the border with the Swiss canton of Ticino. That's why the easiest way to reach them is from Switzerland.

The 19th-century spa, opened in 1823, was destroyed by fire in 1881 and, after being rebuilt, badly damaged by an avalanche in 1951. Today two outdoor granite tubs are used, the result of a recent restoration, which you fill by opening a tap connected to the spring. The water is lukewarm, around 28 °C: not a piping hot soak, but a unique experience among woods and mountains, with the sound of the Isorno stream in the background. The original large basin, on the other hand, is not accessible.

The classic approach is from Spruga, the last Swiss village in the valley: from here you walk for about 40 minutes along a paved road closed to traffic, crossing the river by the bridge. Guides advise against wading across the river anywhere else, as it can be dangerous. From the Italian side, you start from Craveggia in the Val Vigezzo on a long and demanding mountain trail of about four hours, suitable only for experienced hikers.

The tubs can be used from April to November; in winter the road from Spruga is not cleared of snow. The route from Switzerland is easy and also suits families with children who are used to walking. Remember to bring an ID document, to check the PostBus timetable if you're coming by public transport, and to carry water and food, as there are no facilities on site.

After your soak, remember to turn off the tap and leave the tubs clean for whoever comes next. This place survives thanks to the respect of its visitors, and it offers a day unlike any other Italian hot spring.

One last curiosity: the fact that the baths are in Italy but easier to reach from Switzerland makes them a small symbol of the border, remembered by the Itinerario di Acqua e di Pace (Water and Peace Trail) that links the two sides. For keen walkers, the full crossing from Craveggia is a full-day adventure that requires good preparation.