All hikes in Ticino

The Sentiero Cristallina links Bignasco in Valle Maggia with Airolo in Val Bedretto. Between them lie steep mountain slopes, a waterfall on a village outskirts, crystalline rock, Alpine lakes/reservoirs, idyllic alps and remote hamlets.

The trail snakes alongside the famous Tremola road down to Airolo. The skilfully-built bends have been immortalized in countless films. En route: spectacular views of the Leventina Valley with extended motorway entry and exit points.

A short climb leads to the UNESCO World Heritage of Monte San Giorgio, the fossil mountain with its 300 million years of history. Via the fascinating villages of Meride and Tremona you reach «Magnifico Borgo» Mendrisio, famous for its elegant historic buildings.

The section of the trail between Corippo (under conservation order) and Mergoscia is particularly impressive. Hiking along the mountain trail, you see evidence of land use indicating the farmers’ struggle for survival a century ago.

Pizzo Leone lies between Centovalli and Lago Maggiore. From the peak, you can enjoy a wonderful, richly contrasted view of the two landscapes.

The views here are unrivalled: This ridge walk from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro is a classic amongst the Swiss high-altitude hikes. The panoramic views are unbeatable, extending from the Leventina region over the surrounding valleys and up into the Valais Alps to the west and the Graubünden Alps to the east.

The itinerary «Valle del Salto» in Maggia leads on nice paths and represents no important differences in height. It winds into the valley passing by pastures, where you can admire paved and cobbled paths, beautiful stone stairs, sturdy retaining walls and many stone constructions.

The 45 km walk along the Strada alta (old road) presents a very different picture of the traffic-plagued Leventina valley from that seen from one of the infamous queues for the St Gotthard Tunnel. Flower-strewn meadows, bubbling mountain streams and pretty villages are the main features of the steep left-hand side of the upper Leventina valley. From above, the gigantic man-made structures of the road and railway are fascinating. No less impressive is the mountain world of the Leventina.

From Biasca, the route leads through the Rivieratal valley, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other side of the Ticino River. A peaceful hike through alluvial forest and along the riverbank, ending in the middle of the fortifications of Bellinzona.

An undulating route between the Isonetal valley and Gola di Lago before the Capriasca region. Nature rules here on the pass from Sopra- to Sottoceneri, where forests alternate with pastureland. Tesserete is reached along old tracks and pack-animal trails.

The superb panoramic mountain of San Salvatore is one of Lugano’s landmarks. The hike from the summit through chestnut forests along the banks of the lake to Morcote is a true classic.

Even though Monte San Giorgio was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the mountain itself and the area around it remain unchanged. Fossils up to 240 million years old – often in perfect condition – are concealed in this mountain. Some of the most important finds can be admired in the Fossil Museum in Meride.

In autumn 1799, Russian General Suvorov and his army crossed through the Swiss Alps in order to oust the French from the country. The ViaSuworow follows the route of this campaign through breathtaking mountain landscape.

With its more than 20 mountain lakes, Val Piora is considered to be one of the most beautiful regions of Ticino and famous for its wealth of fauna and flora. The tour from Acquacalda over the Passo del Sole to Lake Ritom is a chance to experience a natural paradise in all its diversity.

A mutilation of nature or an impressive artificial construction. The Gotthard can be considered as you wish. Particularly imposing are the structures of the Alpe Pesciüm, the starting point of a three day mountain hiking experience between northern Tessin and Wallis.

The Verzascatal valley is known as idyllic - and so is the trail, particularly the first section. It then leads past abandoned alps, a sign that life here was not always so idyllic. Particularly impressive: the mountain village of Corippo.

an excursion on a mountain trail that runs along the Lake of Lugano, at the slopes of Mount Caprino, in close contact with nature, where it’s possible to enjoy the attractiveness of both mountains and lake.

An emerald green river, a spruced up little village, the ruggedly picturesque landscape - the Verzasca Valley is a real Ticino gem.

An excursion that unfolds in the municipality of Acquarossa (in the middle of the Valle di Blenio), on the banks of the Brenno river through wetlands of great natural beauty. An area of great landscape and cultural importance, with typical local gastronomic and artisanal products.

Ascona resembles a tranquil fishing village and exudes a Mediterranean air with it's pretty streetside cafés and the romantic old town. This route shows you this small town and the wonderful Lago Maggiore lake at their best.

From Paradiso, the demanding but rewarding route climbs to San Salvatore, the best-known vantage point on the Luganersee lake. Passing typical Ticino villages, picturesque landscapes and hospitable grotti, the hike leads slowly down to Morcote.

The circuit is located in the southern part of the municipality of Acquarossa, in the middle of the Valle di Blenio, a flat expanse surrounded by impressive rough and jagged reliefs with emotional impact: a particular atmosphere that unites noteworthy natural and cultural qualities.

After the rock outcrop at Stalvedro the trail winds its way down to the floor of the Leventina valley. Alongside the Ticino River and changing from one bank to the other, you reach Rodi and the Dazio Grande customs house, one of the impressive symbols of the ViaGottardo.

From Valle di Vergeletto across to Valle di Campo. Stay overnight in stone cottages on the Alpe Arena.

Those who have hiked these nine stages know the Sottoceneri through and through: from the pre-Alpine mountains to the Mediterranean shores, from mountain huts to grottos surrounded by vineyards, the Sottoceneri presents itself in all its diversity.