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Image 0 - Hiking holidays: Via Gottardo, Bellinzona - Lugano
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Hiking holidays: Via Gottardo, Bellinzona - Lugano

The city walls and the towers of the Castles of Bellinzona rise defiantly into the sky. You leave the fortress behind and soon you reach the hilly landscape of the Capriasca. One tour takes you over Monte Bar, the next to the rocks of the Denti della Vecchia. Idyllic villages now alternate with the glamorous life of Lugano's lakeside. A wonderful hike along the shores of Lago di Lugano completes this hiking tour.

Online booking: EUROTREK

Itinerary

Day 1: Individual arrival to Bellinzona | Tour of the Castles of Bellinzona

The three Castles of Bellinzona are among the most impressive examples of medieval fortifications in the entire Alpine arc. With their crenellated walls, towers and gates, these magnificent monuments still amaze the visitor today.

Details: distance approx. 3 km, climb 290 m, descent 70 m, duration: approx. 1.5 h

Day 2: Bellinzona - Isone

Steep ascent to Cima di Dentro. From here you have a wonderful view of the Magadino plain and the nearby Lake Maggiore. Look again at the castles of Bellinzona before descending to Isone.

Details: distance approx. 13 km, climb 850 m, descent 330 m, duration: approx. 4.5 h

Day 3: Isone – Tesserete

First through the swamp at Gola di Lago and then through a sea of fern in the thin birch forest towards Bigorio. It is a scenic route through Monte Bigorio and the Franciscan Monastery of Santa Maria that lays like an eagle's nest above Tesserete.

Details: distance approx. 10 km, climb 380 m, descent 615 m, duration: approx. 3 hours

Day 4: Monte Bar hut tour

By bus to Corticiasca. Steep ascent to the Monte Bar mountain hut.  From the summit of Monte Bar further over the Caval Drossa and descent towards Motto della Croce and past Alpe Rompiago back to Corticiasca. By bus back to Tesserete. 

Details: distance approx. 10 km, climb 975 m, descent 765 m, duration: approx. 4.5 h hours

Day 5: Tesserete - Cimadera - Lugano

In the morning bus ride to Cimadera. From here the tour leads past the rock formations of the Denti della Vecchia over Monte Boglia through beech forests and high plains to Monte Brè, the viewing platform high above Lugano. From here, take the funicular down to the city centre.

Details: distance approx. 13 km, climb 1'045 m, descent 1'265 m, duration: approx. 5.5 h

Day 6: Caprino - Cantine di Gandria | Departure

By ship to San Rocco and on to Caprino. The tour leads through a nature reserve on the shores of Lago di Lugano. At your destination, Grotto Teresa, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Switzerland, awaits you. By boat back to Lugano and individual departure. 

Details: distance approx. 5 km, climb 240 m, descent 240 m, duration: approx. 1.5 h

Services:

  • 5 nights including breakfast
  • Daily luggage transfers
  • Visit to the castles of Bellinzona
  • Ticino Ticket
  • Tour guide
  • Detailed travel documents
  • GPS data available
  • Service hotline

Not included:

  • Rides with ships & cable cars (about CHF 12.- per person)