Sentiero Lago di Lugano

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.

From Magliaso station, the long-distance route leads out of the settlements of the Malcantone and up to the open heights of the Lugano Prealps. The mountain trail, mostly marked white-red-white, runs through woodland and across pastures to Monte Tamaro, later traverses Cima di Medeglia and reaches Capanna Monte Bar. A few short sections lie outside the marked hiking trail network.

On Monte Gazzirola, the route reaches its highest point at just over 2,100 m. It then continues via Passo San Lucio and Monte Boglia down to Lugano. Beyond the city, it climbs again on the slopes of Monte San Salvatore and reaches the shore of Lake Lugano via Carona and Morcote.

From Brusino Arsizio, the scenery changes once more between woodland, open ridges and villages. The route leads via Meride and the heights of Monte Generoso into the Muggiotal. Towards the end, the path follows the Breggia before reaching Mendrisio and the nearby railway station. A little over 52½ hours of walking time should be allowed for the roughly 135 kilometres and around 9,000 metres of ascent.