13 promising excursion destinations and sights in Ticino

A glance at the blog search evaluation shows it in black and white: Ticino excursion destinations are very popular with you. No other region is searched for here on the blog as often as Ticino. In recent years, we have already blogged some excursion tips and hiking ideas for Ticino. Over the course of the last year, we have again scouted out some “new” corners; including well-known excursion destinations such as Monte Brè as well as lesser-known corners such as the varied “Sentiero della transumanza” in the Bavona Valley.

In this article, you will now find the often requested “fresh” compilation of beautiful excursion destinations in Ticino – including current hiking and overnight tips.

1. Deep views on the Ponte Tibetano Carasc

Since 2015, the castle town of Bellinzona has been enriched by a highlight – at that time, the 270 m long suspension bridge was inaugurated in the Monte Carasso district. In the meantime, the Ponte Tibetano has become a crowd puller. But there is more to discover on the mountainside above the Magadino Plain than the dizzying heights of the Tibetan Bridge. The best way to do this is to lace up your hiking boots and set off on the 9-kilometre-long “Giro del Ponte Tibetano”.

The varied circular hike (which can even be shortened a bit thanks to the cable car) leads past the beautifully renovated hamlet of Curzùtt and the Romanesque church of San Bernardo over old stone steps through a dense chestnut forest to the imposing suspension bridge. Once this has been overcome, there is a leisurely descent via San Defendete, past parts of the old city wall of Bellinzona back to Monte Carasso. I recommend that you tackle the hike early in the morning – so you can easily avoid the flow of visitors even during the high season.

Key data of the Monte Carasso circular hike

On the map below you can see the route of the circular hike “Giro del Ponte Tibetano”. We started the tour at the mountain station of the Monte Carasso cable car and needed about 2.5 hours for the route.

Starting point	Funvia Monte Carasso (mountain station)
Length	7.3 kilometres
Elevation gain	↗ 360 m 720 m ↘
Duration	2:30 p.m.
Destination	Funvia Monte Carasso (base station)

2. The Way of the Cross in Locarno

The pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso is not only the most important of its kind in Italian-speaking Switzerland, but also a worthwhile destination for all those who want to enjoy the magnificent view over Lake Maggiore. The church is located in the municipality of Orselina and can be reached by funicular from Locarno train station. Instead of taking the funicular, I like to combine a trip to the viewing platform at the church with a stroll through the alleys of Locarno’s old town. A nice walk leads from the Piazza Grande through the narrow, cobbled streets of the old town towards Locarno – Muralto and from there the last meters of altitude can be overcome on a steep (sweaty) historic Way of the Cross. So you definitely deserve the panoramic view!

3. Insider tip in Ticino: Monte Gambarogno

Opposite Locarno is the Gambarogno Riviera; Here, between Lake Maggiore sparkling in the sunlight and the dense, green hills, a hiking and biking paradise is hidden. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the lakeside promenades of Ascona and Locarno, this is the place for you. I have blogged two hiking tips for this region here. If you don’t have the time or inclination for a longer hike, you can simply take the one-hour ascent to Monte Gambarogno (1,734 m above sea level) from Alpe Neggia – equipped with a fine picnic – and take an extended break on the panoramic summit. The panoramic view extends from the Magadino plain over the Verzasca Valley to the Maggia Valley.

4. On foot through the enchanted Bavona Valley

In recent years, Instagram has not only given the stone bridge “Ponte dei Salti” in Lavertezzo an ambivalent fame, but has also boosted the flow of visitors to the quaint Bavona Valley. And so the majority of the hamlets back here still have no electricity, but weekend after weekend, people in search of photo motifs head for the once sleepy Foroglio with their bodies.

Instead of focusing on Foroglio, I recommend shifting down a gear and hiking through the Bavona Valley on the Sentiero della transumanza. With informative steles, the theme trail provides exciting background information on the historical settlement and cultivated land structures and can also be done well with children (who are out of pram age).

Key data of the hike Bignasco – S. Carlo

The Sentiero della transumanza winds its way for 13 kilometres on ancient mule tracks from Bignasco through the alder, beech and chestnut forests of the Bavona Valley. Thanks to the mostly wooded terrain, it is also a viable excursion option in summer or on bad weather days. It is also a stage of the Sentiero Cristallina – a multi-day hike from the Bavona Valley to Airolo

Starting point	Bus stop S. Carlo (Bavona), Ponte
Length	12.9 kilometres
Elevation gain	↗ 330 m 830 m ↘
Duration	3:45 p.m.
Destination	Bushaltestelle Bignasco, Post Office

5. A journey through time in the Walser village of Bosco Gurin

The Walser village of Bosco Gurin is not only the highest and only village in Ticino where German has been spoken since the Middle Ages, but also one of the most remote. In this respect, a minimum of one full day should be planned for this excursion destination. On the website of Bosco Gurin you can download a handy flyer for a one-hour tour of the village including background information on the individual sights. The village tour also leads past the Guriner Walserhaus – the Folk History Museum, which opened in 1938 (the first of its kind in Ticino), gives an insight into the layout of the living spaces typical of Walser houses.

6. Sunset Romance on San Salvatore

Lugano has not one, but two local mountains. In order to judge which one offers the most beautiful view, I paid a visit to both San Salvatore and Monte Brè last summer. Both are worth a detour – but the trip to Monte San Salvatore is especially worthwhile at sunset. Since the funicular is in operation daily until 23:00 during the high season (from the end of May to the end of August), this can be done relatively comfortably.

My tip: Treat yourself to an aperitif on the sun terrace of the summit restaurant La Vetta and then go to the roof of the church of S. Salvatore shortly before sunset. If that’s not enough activity for you, it’s best to set off at 09:00 in the morning and hike from San Salvatore via Carona to idyllic Morcote – a veritable Ticino hiking classic.

By the way: If you have a GA or Half-Fare travelcard, you can benefit from discounted transport tickets at various Ticino excursion destinations. This is also the case with a ride from Lugano Paradiso to the panoramic mountain San Salvatore (50% discount compared to the regular price for adults).

7. Brè – panoramic mountain and artists’ village

While you can enjoy an impressive view of Lake Lugano from San Salvatore, Lugano’s second local mountain offers you a classic postcard motif of Ticino’s largest city. In my opinion, a detour to Monte Brè should not only admire the view, but also take a short walk to the artists’ village of the same name. Strolling through the pretty streets of Brè is like visiting an open-air gallery.

8. From Monte Brè to Gandria

If you want to extend the detour to Monte Brè into a half-day excursion, I can recommend the entertaining hike via the artists’ village of Brè through the sparse chestnut forest down to Gandria. Gandria is not only the last Swiss village before the Italian border, but also exudes “Italianità” with its winding alleys, steep staircases and colourful facades.

Key data of the hike Monte Brè – Gandria

On the following map you can see the route of the short hike from Monte Brè to Gandria. This requires just under an hour’s walking time. From Gandria you can either take a boat or take the 3.3-kilometre-long Sentiero dell’olivo (“Olive Trail”) back to Lugano (or of course by bus).

Starting point	Monte Brè, mountain station of the funicular
Length	4.2 kilometres
Elevation gain	↗ 30 m 660 m ↘
Duration	1:15 p.m.
Destination	Gandria Lake (Schiffsanlegestelle)

9. Made for strolling: Lugano’s waterfront

Between Lugano Paradiso and the Parco Ciani / Lido in the centre of Lugano, the almost two-kilometre-long waterfront promenade invites you to take a leisurely stroll. There are plenty of benches for breaks and refreshment stands – but don’t be tempted by the first gelati stand you come across. For a fine ice cream, it’s worth taking a short detour to the old town streets of Lugano. My tip: -9 Gelato italiano in Via al Forte.

10. The enchanting chestnut groves of Malcantone

Looking for a beautiful yet centrally located place to stay in the Lugano region, we struggled a bit last autumn. The Hotel Bigatt in Lugano Paradiso and the Villa Castagnola were on the shortlist. In the end, the Splendide Royale, located directly on the waterfront, won the race. The historic house may seem a bit dusty – but the gourmet restaurant i Due Sud as well as the casual spa/bar area made up for it. One of my favorites in the region is the Kurhaus Cademario in Malcantone. Here, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you are still in the catchment area of the excursion destinations around Lugano and at the same time you have the extensive network of hiking trails that run through the Malcantone right on your doorstep. Especially in late summer/autumn a worthwhile destination for a short break.

Nostalgia & Foresight: Monte Generoso

In addition to San Salvatore and Monte Brè, two other popular excursion mountains can be reached from Lugano as part of a day trip; Monte San Giorgio and Monte Generoso. Since 2017, the latter has been scoring with a new tourist attraction. After the construction of the church of San Giovanni Battista in Mogno (Maggia Valley) and the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli on Monte Tamaro, the “Fiore di Pietra” is another touristically staged building by the Ticino architect Mario Botta.

With a summit height of 1,700 metres above sea level, Monte Generoso offers a magnificent panoramic view that stretches from the snow-capped Alps far into Italy. In summer, however, the visibility can quickly become hazy. In addition to the ride on the nostalgic cogwheel railway, which has been transporting tourists from Capolago to Monte Generoso for 130 years (!), a sporty hike through the Valle di Muggio leads from Mendrisio to the panoramic summit.

12. Bad weather program in Ticino: LAC – Lugano Arte e Cultura

And since it is well known that there is also a bad weather day on the program in the sunny region of Switzerland, I have tips for rainy days here. Opened in 2015, the Lugano Cultural Centre is home to the Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, among others, and is well worth a visit.

13. Splash & Spa Tamaro

I have already reported in more detail about the “Splash & Spa” Tamaro water park here. Located in Rivera, right next to the valley station of the Monte Tamaro cable car, the water park with wellness area guarantees varied bathing fun for young and old. A worthwhile destination for bad weather days or as a stopover after a day of hiking on Monte Tamaro. It is also rich in views: from the outdoor pool you always have the summit of Monte Tamaro in view.

You can find even more Ticino tips in the article with 99 recommended Swiss excursion destinations, in case of rain there are even more tips here.