Vallemaggia lies north of Locarno and is one of the largest valleys of the southern Alpine slopes. The earliest settlements date from the Iron Age: the first inhabitants were the Gauls, who gave Maggia its name, followed by the Ligurians and then the Romans.
36km in length, Vallemaggia is particularly characterized by its wide valley floor which extends for more than 20km and by its 3 upper valleys: Rovana, Bavona and Lavizzara