9 stages
The Sentiero Lago di Lugano snakes its way like a huge «S» from Magliaso to Monte Ceneri, in sweeping arcs along the border to Lugano and via Morcote and Monte Generoso down into Mendrisiotto.
One highlight follows another, beginning with the well-known ridge hike from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro with the Botta church at Alpe Foppa. Soon followed by the Denti della Vecchia (old lady’s teeth) with the Monte Boglia, probably the most impressive vantage point of the Sottoceneri. After Lugano the trail joins the quite rightly, well-travelled route from Monte San Salvatore to picturesque Morcote. On the other side of the lake, fossils of reptiles and fishes are found on the Monte San Giorgio. The Monte Generoso and the Valle die Muggio give an interesting impression of the southernmost valleys of Switzerland.
Even with all these well-known mountains, this hike still offers some surprising discoveries. Such as the Monti di Medeglia, from where you can see the Sotto and Sopraceneri. So practically each stage is worth the journey, without having to hike the whole route in one go.
127.7 km
Salita/Aufstieg/Ascension/Ascent: 9002 m
Discesa/Abstieg/Descente/Descent: 9670 m
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medium
9 tappe / Etappen / étapes / stages: 48 h
difficult
Stage 1: Lugano (Magliaso) – Miglieglia
Stage 2: Miglieglia – Capanna Tamaro
Stage 3: Capanna Tamaro – Medeglia
Stage 4: Medeglia – Capanna Monte Bar
Stage 5: Capanna Monte Bar – Capanna Pairolo
Stage 6: Capanna Pairolo – Lugano (Monte Brè)
Stage 7: Lugano (Paradiso) – Morcote
Stage 8: Morcote – Riva San Vitale (Capolago)
Stage 9: Riva San Vitale (Monte Generoso) – Mendrisio
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An ideal stage to get into the hike: average slopes, cool and lush woodlands , an old mill converted to a grotto.
Spectacular hike along the mountain ridge between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro with impressive panoramic views over northern Italy, Ticino and the Alps.
Nowhere else will you get such direct views into south and north Ticino.
The next two stages in Val Colla can be easily seen from here.
Spectacular ridge, border and panoramic tour with Gazzirola as the highlight. Possibilities for a break at San Lucio, where a small lake and tiny church beckon.
The tour leads past the Denti della Vecchia rock formations over the Monte Boglia, through beech forests and high plateaux to Monte Bré, a vantage platform high above Lugano.
The hike from Monte San Salvatore to Vico Morcote is a classic for the whole family.
The Monte San Giorgio, also known as the «Fossil Mountain», is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, tackled after a short boat trip.
The Monte Generoso is more than a mere mountain railway destination. The descent to the Valle di Muggio has surprises in store - such as the Nevère (old refrigerator buildings) or the impressive gorge down in Mendrisiotto.