Walkers enjoy glorious trails through chestnut forests up to panoramic peaks, along tranquil lakeshores and to historic churches and chapels that tell of locals’ devout faith over the centuries. You, too, will soon fall under the spell of Ticino, with its delightful scenic and artistic diversity.
Here you find detailed information on the route: PDF Little tour of Ticino
Hereafter, we present 15 suggestions for excursions along the tour.
Tipp 1: Bellinzona’s castles
Bellinzona has no fewer than three castles for visitors to explore, all protected by UNESCO: Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro. Together, they gave Ticino effective control over access to several important alpine passes. A trip to the Middle Ages here also reveals beautiful views over the picturesque Old Town, while a visit to the colourful Saturday market promises a taste of Mediterranean charm.
Tipp 2: Tibetan footbridge, Curzutt
Curzútt is an ancient hamlet of stone “rustici” houses, lovingly restored, set in lush chestnut forests. Once it was accessible only along smugglers’ trails; today, visitors ride up by cable car. Nearby, they find a new adventure: a spectacular suspension footbridge that opened in 2015. Spanning the Valle di Sementina, it is 270 metres long, up to 130 metres off the ground – and not for the faint-hearted.
Tipp 3: Lake promenade, Ascona
A stroll through the Old Town alleys of Ascona, on Lago Maggiore, is positively relaxing – in contrast to many seaside resorts. You can enjoy pizza on the piazza without paparazzi; the lake promenade is traffic-free; and when you browse the boutiques, you don’t have shoppers treading on your feet. Linger a while on the sunny beach at Ascona’s lido, however, and you feel you could be on the Mediterranean.
Tipp 4: Madonna del Sasso
The important pilgrimage site of the “Madonna of the rock” stands majestically on a dramatic outcrop where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to the Franciscan monk Bartolomeo Piatti in 1480. A steep path with Stations of the Cross leads up the mountainside to the shrine, but visitors can also ride up by funicular. The view over Locarno and Lago Maggiore is enough to fill even non-believers with awe..
Tipp 5: Bolle di Magadino
The Ticino and Verzasca rivers flow into Lago Maggiore at the nature reserve of Bolle di Magadino. This internationally important wetland site, famous for its biodiversity, offers a precious habitat to more than 300 species of birds and is a key stopover for migrants. Nature lovers will also enjoy the Gambarogno botanical gardens, with their breathtaking display of magnolias, azaleas and rhododendrons.
Tipp 6: Tamaro Park
Nature? Culture? Fun and action? Or wellness? Why not all of them together! Take the gondola from Rivera up to Alpe Foppa, where you can admire the heavenly chapel designed by Mario Botta. You’ll also find a summer toboggan run, thrilling zip wire and an adventure rope park by the middle station. Back down below, the “Splash e Spa” in Tamaro is a stylish combination of adventure pool complex and spa.
Tipp 7: Lake Muzzano
For a taste of total tranquillity, we recommend a spot of kingfisher-watching. The peaceful little lake of Muzzano, in walking distance of the bustling centre of Lugano, offers a habitat for many animal and plant species. A “kingfisher hotel” built of mud by the conservation organisation Pro Natura offers a breeding site for these delightful birds; visitors can observe them from the “Casa del pescatore”.
Tipp 8: Scherrer Park
Many years have passed since Morcote lived off fishing. Today the pretty village, with its elegant arcades and lakeshore restaurants, focuses on welcoming visitors. On no account miss the wonderful gardens created by Hermann Arthur Scherrer, a textile dealer from St. Gallen. Palms, camellias, wisteria, oleander, cedars and cypresses frame Mediterranean and Asian works of art: a true Garden of Eden!
Tipp 9: Baptistery Riva San Vitale
The baptistery of Riva San Vitale is Switzerland’s oldest religious building, probably constructed in the 5th century. A magnificent baptismal font, nearly two metres across and carved from a single piece of stone, dominates the octagonal interior. Precious Romanesque frescoes and an original black-and-white marble floor add to the historic charm, making this architectural gem well worth a visit.
Tipp 10: Monte San Giorgio
Don’t worry, you won’t be eaten by a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The fossilised creatures that put Monte San Giorgio on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Properties are safely behind glass, at the fossil museum in Meride – designed by the architect Mario Botta. Guided tours reveal the scientific facts behind the fossils, which are about 200 million years old. Alternatively just let your imagination run wild…
Tipp 11: Lido di Melano
Time for a break? Make a pit stop on the shores of idyllic Lake Lugano, at Melano’s delightful lido. Enjoy a game of beach volleyball, perhaps, before taking a refreshing dip and relaxing on the panoramic terrace. Here, soak up the gorgeous views: of the beautiful bay, majestic Monte Generoso, the southern tip of Lake Lugano, the village of Capolago and the town of Riva San Vitale on the far shore …
Tipp 12: LAC Lugano
LAC is short for “Lugano Arte e Cultura”: the city’s recently opened cultural centre, a new focus for the visual and performing arts in Italian-speaking Switzerland. Dramatically located on the lakefront, the architecturally striking building offers a venue for exhibitions, concerts and performances of dance, theatre, opera and musicals – as well as for the festivals LuganoInScena and Lugano Musica.
Tipp 13: Monte Brè
A funicular brings you up to this famously sunny peak, whose panoramic restaurant offers glorious views extending as far as the Alps of Valais and the Bernese Oberland. From here, follow the gorgeous footpath down to Gandria on the lake, or set off on your mountain bike along the scenic “Lugano Bike” trail, which starts here. Either way, don’t miss the delightful village of Brè, just east of the summit.
Tipp 14: Arena Sportiva Capriasca
Who would have thought a secluded village like Tesserete would boast such a fine sports centre? The complex, which serves the Capriasca and Val Colla regions, includes a football pitch, tennis courts, rugby field, volleyball court, athletics field and Olympic-size swimming pool offering aquagym and hydrobike classes. There’s also superb climbing on the neighbouring peaks of the “Denti della Vecchia”.
Tipp 15: Fortini della fame, Camorino
The “hunger forts” of Camorino were built as defensive towers in 1853–55. The construction project provided work for 500 people – and bread for their families – during politically turbulent and economically tough times. A two-hour theme trail along the Dufour defensive line offers the chance to visit five of the towers, and provides a lovely setting for a picnic with fine views over the Magadino plain.
