ViaGottardo
Overview
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Distance 14 km
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Duration 4 h
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Ascent 440 m
Intro
A section that leads through the wonderful vineyard landscape around Mendrisio into contemporary Chiasso on the border of Italy. A journey through time, its highlight Switzerland's smallest Geopark, the Parco delle Gole della Breggia.
Description
This hike ends the 320-kilometre-long Via Gottardo, which ranges more than 10,000 metres in altitude on its route from Basel to Chiasso. Before setting off on this last leg, the old town of Mendrisio beckons, with its narrow alleyways, old palazzi, terracotta roof tiles, baroque churches and the medieval tower on the Piazza del Ponte.
It takes around 30 minutes to walk from the railway station to the Valle della Motta. The lovely Roncaglia stream winds its way through untouched nature. This route calls for a leisurely stroll, with its easy walking past woodland, ponds, wetlands, meadows and fields. Over 400 species of plants grow here and the rare Italian agile frog and river shrimp call this area home too.
After the nature park, it is time pass through customs to Italy. For the next hour, you will hike along the border with our southerly neighbour almost the entire time. After Campora, you will reach a steep section through woodland and the route climbs around 200 metres to the next border crossing. Past the grapevines is the final ascent of the Via Gottardo. Penz park on the southern slope of the Moreggi hill is also the site of the southernmost point in Switzerland. This is marked so you can take a photo as a souvenir.
Next you will descend to Pedrinate along a gravel road. Finally, you will switch back to a path with a magnificent view of Chiasso and the two mountain ranges behind it. This leg, and the Via Gottardo as a whole, finishes at Chiasso’s substantial railway station. Many people only know Chiasso due to passing through it on the way to Italy. However, it is worth a visit in its own right: it was once known as “Clasio Tabernarium” (“Chiasso of the taverns”) on account of its many inns. As well as restaurants, there is also a theatre and several palaces, churches and museums that you can visit. If you have time, you can embark on a journey through 200 million years of geological history at the Parco delle Gole della Breggia by the river.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Mendrisio
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Chiasso
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
440 m
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| Descent |
540 m
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| Distance |
14 km
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| Duration |
4 h
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| Duration back |
4 h
|
| Technical requirements |
Medium
|
| Physical requirements |
Medium
|
| Season |
All year
|
Quick Facts
Route number
