The gorges of the Gaggiolo Torrent cut the upper part of the Meride Limestone called Kalkschieferzone, composed of finely stratified limestones and marl. Here, in numerous excavation campaigns starting in 1936, the World Heritage site's most recent vertebrate fossils were discovered. The panoramic terrace of Val Mara offers a glimpse of marine deposits and fossils dating back to the Middle Triassic, 239 million years ago. The contents, offered in Italian, German and English, include educational panels, binoculars, casts and models of fossils, stone walls and reconstructions of the Middle Triassic environment, when Val Mara was a subtropical marine basin.

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Antonino Pigafetta

February 25, 2024

Hiking

The panoramic terrace of Val Mara is immersed in the woods, just above the Gaggiolo stream, in one of the most evocative panoramic points of Monte San Giorgio.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Waterfall and Panoramic Terrace of Val Mara

4.8

(14)

hikers

1. Hiking loop from Capolago - Riva San Vitale

12.8km

05:01

800m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.8

(28)

155

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2. Hiking loop from Meride

12.0km

04:25

620m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.0

(10)

hikers

3. View of Monte San Giorgio loop from Meride

10.2km

03:53

620m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

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Informations

Elevation 580 m

Weather

Tuesday 10 March

12°C

4°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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Location: Ticino, Switzerland

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Waterfall and Panoramic Terrace of Val Mara

1. Hiking loop from Capolago - Riva San Vitale

2. Hiking loop from Meride

3. View of Monte San Giorgio loop from Meride

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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