![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S5QL4EHBDJF7ZOLB44BOFHVQ7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bbdbb5bb129b1439322986c743b463eb4e79248fea358ebb52b5eb81316b637&width=400&height=225)
The tiny mountain village is a serene escape where travellers can immerse themselves in nature. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli / Rob Lewis
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The village of Rasa is one of the smallest villages in Ticino, with no more than 20 people living here year-round. Photo: Switzerland Tourism
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Rasa is surrounded by breathtaking Swiss and Italian peaks.
Photo: Switzerland Tourism
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Getting there involves a ride on the Centovalli train, one of Europe's most picturesque railway journeys. Photo: Swiss Travel System
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The Centovalli line connects Switzerland and Italy. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli
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Travellers can reach Rasa by cable car from Verdasio station house, or via a 40-minute hike through the hills. Hayley Skirka / The National
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The tiny cable car soars over green valleys. Hayley Skirka / The National
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The car fits eight passengers at a squeeze. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli
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Visiting Rasa is like stepping back in time, to a place of stillness and serenity. Hayley Skirka / The National
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A wild flower filled meadow overlooks the rooftops of Rasa. Photo: Switzerland Tourism
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Rasa's location means it exists in something of a microclimate, with mountain shelter and sun-soaked slopes Photo: Switzerland Tourism
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A stone house off one of only two main streets in the village. Hayley Skirka / The National
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A yoga session under the shade of a tree. Hayley Skirka / The National
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Several swings have been installed in picturesque locations across the country as part of the Swing the World initiative. Hayley Skirka / The National
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Rasa is one of 19 remote villages in the Centovalli offering amazing views, endless nature and several hiking trails. Hayley Skirka / The National
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Casa Rasa is one of the village's busiest spots, where people can book a room, enjoy lunch or stop for a drink. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S5QL4EHBDJF7ZOLB44BOFHVQ7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bbdbb5bb129b1439322986c743b463eb4e79248fea358ebb52b5eb81316b637&width=400&height=225)
The tiny mountain village is a serene escape where travellers can immerse themselves in nature. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli / Rob Lewis
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/U6M4HLBX5ZFCRFGNOS7C2AVUHQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=938ea58cbdeb06ec44590bd6a52b7eb8bbc864118dc8616a524640390f81b341&width=400&height=225)
The village of Rasa is one of the smallest villages in Ticino, with no more than 20 people living here year-round. Photo: Switzerland Tourism
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5XRVMP6XEFCW7PNFHXUODQVDXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=6e7767e9a0d5b54f9a91c863498f9f3fc7652099586a0293b7c32a71525823b1&width=400&height=225)
Rasa is surrounded by breathtaking Swiss and Italian peaks.
Photo: Switzerland Tourism
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N57KORL7M5FLVD5HJBH4MA2MW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=05966624304b8ea94211cdc1a01da7f87fdefde06e7de95f2a0fcd449897f3c6&width=400&height=225)
Getting there involves a ride on the Centovalli train, one of Europe's most picturesque railway journeys. Photo: Swiss Travel System
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q5K2LXV62RAOHMLKD2WPPUONBQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=ffa87060c2197f1e961c430938decb6a1d28f6e34583f33a42841f34b7340f90&width=400&height=225)
The Centovalli line connects Switzerland and Italy. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZEJCXXPOZFBNBAWDGILHAHWBGM.jpg?smart=true&auth=5fb0e5610c3a74e7c45eb0a39f866e91e5a3e20cf954efbe5813b4a81ceaf038&width=400&height=225)
Travellers can reach Rasa by cable car from Verdasio station house, or via a 40-minute hike through the hills. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LYO57PKGBRHHJK6HBJDJR4OKXA.jpg?smart=true&auth=1be24c1637822186c0c00d98377508f344a1369adaa6895082116c849013080b&width=400&height=225)
The tiny cable car soars over green valleys. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JSP2UY7FIZH4NOJYV7VCVOLHXQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=9b91f0d7053814a41dc7de034f7caca7bac41e02b42395c0a6f1a941beedf78e&width=400&height=225)
The car fits eight passengers at a squeeze. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/N6FWMMMK3BDPDC5WYB2AMVR4WU.jpg?smart=true&auth=23ed978a6625079ed6857c012afedffaf200c1b05869ce933c6053c17c523246&width=400&height=225)
Visiting Rasa is like stepping back in time, to a place of stillness and serenity. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BJBORCCKNVAJ7BPF3KYM3FIWH4.jpg?smart=true&auth=454008ea6d9893d72168d9ff3140aa197e4877bb0ae5842f97a62e3aafbc4847&width=400&height=225)
A wild flower filled meadow overlooks the rooftops of Rasa. Photo: Switzerland Tourism
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FGNBCK65DBDTLAUBTECWFMJPMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=43d234ba977985507e9a47b65a0448cb53c80d7b47e68455442808cc0a11c2da&width=400&height=225)
Rasa's location means it exists in something of a microclimate, with mountain shelter and sun-soaked slopes Photo: Switzerland Tourism
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YGAXWX3TRZBW3CH7C4DNVMWBBA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c165a18f508e3ab9fa3accd680bfb6999d41207c1a2695e5309202ef53f8bdca&width=400&height=225)
A stone house off one of only two main streets in the village. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IYJJ5JYTVZG5BGLULQ7DZGAB7I.jpg?smart=true&auth=a4b7feab88bc8f0ec0d5192f0353d84e11e5751e131043d8c9eaad068f95fe76&width=400&height=225)
A yoga session under the shade of a tree. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ALPUOZZEGNELFA2UOHEYEP4Z3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf5a304759d990e892ffd82a2eb8c57f2ffc8c72924e0e2d402b7f6110dbeb7e&width=400&height=225)
Several swings have been installed in picturesque locations across the country as part of the Swing the World initiative. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JT6THSQKDREGBP7B6IZ7DUF2UI.jpg?smart=true&auth=375ff555fba0fd59dc3ff89bd6a2ccf96ff7a63bfcf98b20428966efe2ae5e9b&width=400&height=225)
Rasa is one of 19 remote villages in the Centovalli offering amazing views, endless nature and several hiking trails. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XC2M3KAMSFC4RNH6PBUK4MB77Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=e6dd294334c4bd79f2340367ef99af44497cf324729a3a6db349c305c09a60d1&width=400&height=225)
Casa Rasa is one of the village's busiest spots, where people can book a room, enjoy lunch or stop for a drink. Hayley Skirka / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/S5QL4EHBDJF7ZOLB44BOFHVQ7A.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bbdbb5bb129b1439322986c743b463eb4e79248fea358ebb52b5eb81316b637&width=400&height=225)
The tiny mountain village is a serene escape where travellers can immerse themselves in nature. Photo: Vigezzina Centovalli / Rob Lewis
Mountain high: Yoga trekking in the Swiss Alps
Perched at an altitude of 900 metres, the remote village of Rasa has a population of 12 and is only reachable on foot or via a tiny cable car ride
![Hayley Skirka](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5aa171d9-e19e-4724-894f-afdab957726f.png?smart=true&auth=0060497e4d6de279036bf67ee0e69c23726110ddc9067f6419a245b2b05cf91d&width=70&height=70)
Hayley Skirka
15 December, 2022
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