Sentiero del Monte Bar

Hiking Trail

This walk passes two of the most beautiful viewpoints of the region: Motto della Croce and Monte Bar in Val Colla. With Lugano and surroundings below, the views range all the way to Milan in good weather. This alone is worth the steep ascent over meadows, alps and through forests.


For those who choose this alternative to Monte Bar, it is easier to reach the peak (1,816 m) than via the classic, direct route. It begins in Corticiasca on the southern foot of the mountain with gentle grassy slopes. The path first dips into a forested area and follows a dirt road south of Alpe Musgatina. This first section already offers fantastic views of the mountains with Lugano in the background. It continues toward Alpe Rompiago, crossing the forests of Tassera. Ziegenalp is located on a mountain pasture overlooking Val Colla. The holiday farmhouse there is open only in the summer (call ahead). This is where typical house-made cheese specialities and milk products can be tasted.

The refreshments come just in time, because the more difficult part of the tour is right ahead. Up it goes to the next viewpoint. The Motto della Croce hill, a plateau with a cross, offers a marvellous panoramic view of the Capriasca valley. In good weather even the mountains of the Monte Rosa massif can be glimpsed. The last part of the hike up to Monte Bar follows further along the mountain ridge and over the barren knoll of Caval Drossa with its beautiful views. An unparalleled panorama opens up at the very top: Valle del Vedeggio, Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema a bit closer and further away the Bernese and Valais Alps. Even Milan and the Apennine Mountains may be visible in the distance.

Now the trail goes downhill, first to Capanna Monte Bar, a popular hiking destination from Lugano. It was taken down in May 2016 to make space for a new mountain hut - a modern, cube-like wooden building named “Barlume”, overlooking0 Lugano and the nearby valleys, with the Denti della Vecchia towering over the area. Across sunny meadows, where sheep are often grazing, the path continues down toward Alpe Musgatina and back to the starting point, with a view of Lugano which seems to come closer and closer.

  • Length

    Km

  • Height Difference

    Ascent: 974 m
    Descent: 974 m
    Show elevation profile

  • Durata

    4.50 h

  • Conditions

    Difficult