When does the 2026 Foliage Train take place?

The Foliage Train 2026 is scheduled from October 10 to November 15, 2026. The panoramic journey takes place on the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway and connects Locarno, in Switzerland, with Domodossola, in Piedmont. During the journey, passengers travel through forests, gorges, bridges, historic villages and Alpine landscapes in the warm colors of autumn.

How long is the route and how long does it last?

The route measures 52 kilometers and takes just under two hours each way. The historic railway line connects the Canton of Ticino with Piedmont, passing through the wild Centovalli and the lush Vigezzo Valley. Lonely Planet and the New York Times have included the route on the list of the 10 most beautiful train journeys in the world.

Where can you depart from, and are stops planned?

Departure is flexible: you can choose Locarno or Domodossola. The 2026 season also offers the possibility of making an intermediate stop along the route, on the outbound or return journey, to explore the villages along the line. The stop is described as part of the travel package for the 2026 season.

Who commented on the Treno del Foliage?

Claudio Blotti, director of FART, described the Foliage Train as one of the symbols of the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway. He explained that the experience combines landscape, slow travel, the region and discovery, stating that FART aims to promote the railway during the Foliage season and throughout the year, with new onboard experiences and a focus on destinations along the line.

Foliage Train 2026 between Locarno and Domodossola

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 8 October 2026

From October 10 to November 15, 2026 Scenic itinerary between Locarno and Domodossola 52 km between Canton Ticino and Piedmont Historic railway between Italy and Switzerland

Context

TL;DR

From 10 October to 15 November 2026
Scenic itinerary between Locarno and Domodossola
52 km between Canton Ticino and Piedmont
Historic railway between Italy and Switzerland

Key facts

Event → Treno del Foliage
Period → October 10–November 15, 2026
Route → Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli
Distance → 52 km
Duration → just under two hours each way
Connection → Canton Ticino-Piedmont

The return of the event

From October 10 to November 15, 2026, Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli brings back Treno del Foliage, one of the most eagerly awaited autumn events. The panoramic journey takes place between Locarno, in Switzerland, and Domodossola, in Piedmont, taking passengers through Alpine landscapes lit up by the season’s warm colors.

Among the features highlighted for the journey are enchanted forests, deep gorges, spectacular bridges, historic villages and Alpine landscapes. These scenes accompany passengers along the route and are linked to the warm colors of autumn.

The historic railway line connects Canton Ticino to Piedmont and passes through the wild Centovalli and the very green Vigezzo Valley. Centovalli is described as wild, while Vigezzo Valley is described as very green; the route passes through both.

With a distance of 52 kilometers and a duration of just under two hours each way, the journey offers a panoramic itinerary along the historic line. Treno del Foliage is presented as an experience to be savored slowly, amid landscapes, villages and historic railway.

The return of the event thus brings back to the route between Italy and Switzerland a journey dedicated to the colors of the season, the places it passes through and the discovery of the area along Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli.

Operational details

The line and international recognition

The route is 52 kilometers long and takes just under two hours each way. The route runs along a historic railway line linking Canton Ticino with Piedmont and crossing the Centovalli and Vigezzo Valley.

The two valleys represent a central part of the journey. Centovalli is described as wild, while Vigezzo Valley is lush green. The route also includes enchanted forests, deep gorges, spectacular bridges, historic villages and Alpine landscapes. In autumn, these places are lit up by the warm colors of the season and accompany the panoramic journey.

A classic born in 2016

Since 2016, the Treno del Foliage has attracted visitors from all over the world and has become established as a classic of the autumn season. Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli presents it again among the season’s most eagerly awaited experiences.

The route also has significance beyond national borders: Lonely Planet and the New York Times included it among the 10 most beautiful train journeys in the world. The recognition concerns the route between Italy and Switzerland and its combination of historic railway, Alpine landscape and villages.

The duration of just under two hours each way accompanies an itinerary that crosses different environments without separating the railway line from the territories encountered along the route. Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli is thus presented through its historical, scenic and international dimensions.

Key points

Departures and statements from FART

For the 2026 season, passengers have two options for starting the journey: Locarno or Domodossola. The formula also includes an intermediate stop along the route, to be made on the outbound or return journey. The stop is intended to explore the villages along the line.

The possibility of stopping along the route adds the discovery of the places passed through to the journey. The source indicates a stop on the outbound or return journey, while retaining Locarno and Domodossola as alternative starting points.

FART’s comment

Commenting on the significance of the Treno del Foliage is Claudio Blotti, director of FART, the Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi.

«Over time, the Treno del Foliage has established itself among the symbols of Ferrovia Vigezzina-Centovalli. Its route shows how a train journey can go beyond simple transfer, bringing together landscape, slowness, territory and discovery along a unique line».

Blotti also points to FART’s goal of continuing to promote the railway during the Foliage period and throughout the year. The goal includes new onboard experiences and promoting destinations along the line. The 2026 season thus combines flexible departure, an intermediate stop and attention to the villages along the route.

Source: comozero.it

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026 Foliage Train take place?: The Foliage Train 2026 is scheduled from October 10 to November 15, 2026. The panoramic journey takes place on the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway and connects Locarno, in Switzerland, with Domodossola, in Piedmont. During the journey, passengers travel through forests, gorges, bridges, historic villages and Alpine landscapes in the warm colors of autumn.
How long is the route and how long does it last?: The route measures 52 kilometers and takes just under two hours each way. The historic railway line connects the Canton of Ticino with Piedmont, passing through the wild Centovalli and the lush Vigezzo Valley. Lonely Planet and the New York Times have included the route on the list of the 10 most beautiful train journeys in the world.
Where can you depart from, and are stops planned?: Departure is flexible: you can choose Locarno or Domodossola. The 2026 season also offers the possibility of making an intermediate stop along the route, on the outbound or return journey, to explore the villages along the line. The stop is described as part of the travel package for the 2026 season.
Who commented on the Treno del Foliage?: Claudio Blotti, director of FART, described the Foliage Train as one of the symbols of the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway. He explained that the experience combines landscape, slow travel, the region and discovery, stating that FART aims to promote the railway during the Foliage season and throughout the year, with new onboard experiences and a focus on destinations along the line.