Hint

Intro

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.

Description

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”, overlooking 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.

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

Technical information

Show Technical information content
Start location
Corticiasca
Destination
Corticiasca
Direction
Round trip
Ascent
1000 m
Descent
1000 m
Distance
12 km
Duration
5 h
Duration back
5 h
Technical requirements
Medium
Physical requirements
Difficult
Theme
With panoramic view
Signalization
Signalisation in both directions
More information https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r...

Map

SwitzerlandMobility Map: This element is not accessible for disabled people.

Quick Facts

Route number

No. 632

Distance

12 km

Duration

5 h

Ascent

1000 m

Travel information: Bidogno

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