Lugano Hiking in the suntrap of Switzerland
Intro
The region around Lugano boasts countless hikes ideal for enjoying the mild temperatures of the Ticino autumn. Stopping off at a wine cellar or one of the many great restaurants en route is the perfect way to round off any trip to the region.
Day 1
Sonvico: hiking on the historical Sonvico nature trail
The delicate balance between man and his natural environment is the focus of the historical Sonvico nature trail. The trail seeks to provoke thought and make us more aware of the role that each of us plays in shifting this balance. If hunger pangs strike along the way, Fattoria del Faggio is a great place to buy a little picnic with delicious goat’s cheese made using milk from the farm’s very own herd. Also not to be missed is the ratafià liqueur, which has been made from walnut husks and grappa at the Bigorio Monastery for centuries.
Day 2
Lugano: hiking on the charming peninsular
Reaching toward the sky on the shores of Lake Lugano is Monte San Salvatore, also called the sugar loaf mountain of Switzerland. Once you have reached the summit, the peninsula to the south of the mountain awaits with magical field and forest trails to explore. The quaint village of Carona is also well worth a visit, with a picturesque centre and San Grato Botanical Park. Having spent some time enjoying the vibrant array of plants, head onwards to Alpe Vicania, where the restaurant of the same name is a great place to rest and enjoy good food. The hike ends at the former fishing village of Morcote, where a bus or boat can be taken back to Lugano.
Day 3
Lugano: visit the region’s wine cellars
The geographic location of Ticino and the area around Lugano provide the perfect conditions for the growing of exquisite wines that are enjoyed the world over. The Merlot is a symbol of Ticino viticulture, though there are many other top quality Ticino wines. These can be tracked down on five Saturdays in autumn, when the best wine producers in the region open their cellars and invite all who love the good juice to discover more about the different wines and how they are made. The delicious wines and other local products are of course all available to sample.
Restaurant tip
Vico Morcote: Ristorante Vicania
Vicania, located on an alp of the same name on the peninsula south of Lugano, is housed in an old stone farm once used for livestock which has been lovingly restored. The restaurant serves dishes inspired by regional flavours and the finest local produce, always accompanied with a glass of fine wine, of course. Those who wish to delve deeper into the world of Ticino wines can go for a wine tasting with a qualified oenologist. The wine expert also offers wine tasting seminars, pairing the various grapes with different courses.
Hotel tip
Carona: Swiss Historic & Garden Hotel Villa Carona
Romantic, welcoming and personal: above Lake Lugano lies the Swiss Historic & Garden Hotel Villa Carona in the more than 1,000-year-old artists’ enclave of Carona, where author Hermann Hesse spent a considerable amount of time. In the patrician residence built two centuries ago, each room is individually decorated with antique furniture and many of the old painted ceilings and floors have been uncovered and restored in recent years, making this a paradise for lovers of bygone days. The hotel sits in a beautiful, dreamy garden and its Ristorante La Sosta serves light Mediterranean cuisine in a pleasant setting.