From the village of Magadino with its train, bus and boat stop one walks in an easterly direction, past a marina, towards a bridge, which takes one north to the 'Bolle di Magadino', where the rivers Ticino and Verzasca form one of Europe's very rare deltas by a lake. It is a protected area of international importance, especially as a rest stop for migratory birds.
After crossing the bridge my wife and me walked along straight lanes with rows of trees on both sides towards the Ponte Fiume Ticino bridge at Quartino and then back by the tamed stretch of the river Ticino towards the delta proper. En route we encountered bikers, there was a fitness parcours, an apiary and a herd of Scottish Highland cattle, also meadows with mainly bladder campions and meadow sages.
The more exciting part is closer to the lake and the delta proper with side arms of the river, with reed beds, ponds and pools. The main trees here are White Willows and Grey Alders. To enjoy this area it is important to take some insect repellent along, since this also a paradise for mosquitoes. After some heavy rains one might also feel better in boots.
There are observation towers and especially for bird watchers binoculars will be very much appreciated. Typical birds here are different types of ducks, egrets, grebes, heron, coots, but also kingfisher, robin, marsh harrier, hoopoe, swallows and chaffinches.
In swampy areas one will see the methane bubbles ('Bolle' in Italian), which have given the nature reserve its name. There are several information boards in Italian, German and English with pictures and maps. Access to the Verzasca river part of the nature reserve is from the village of Gordola. We ended our hike at Magadino, where we had started.