Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Sentiero Lago di Lugano, Stage 8/9
MorcoteRiva S. Vitale (Capolago)
- Distance
- 12.0 km
- Duration
- 4:25 h
- Ascent
- 820 m
- Descent
- 820 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
01/ Overview
The route
The Monte San Giorgio, also known as the «Fossil Mountain», is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, tackled after a short boat trip. Dinosaur fossils dating back 230-240 million years can be marvelled at in a small museum in Meride.
The hike begins on the shores of Lake Lugano at the Morcote (lago) stop. The route climbs briskly between the houses; the first section is partly unmarked. It soon joins a mountain trail marked in white-red-white. Above Brusino Arsizio, it climbs through the forest to Grotto Alpe di Brusino, an ideal place for a rest.
The long ascent then continues in the shade of the trees. Below Monte San Giorgio, the route reaches its highest point at just over 1,000 m; the 1,097 m summit lies a little off the route. The mountain trail now descends steadily through forest and across more open terrain to the church of San Silvestro on the hill above Meride.
After the village, the trail continues to lose elevation and changes towards the end to an easier hiking trail. In Riva San Vitale, the Baptistery of San Giovanni lies close to the route. Dating from the 5th century, it is considered the oldest Christian building in Switzerland. A short while later, the approximately twelve-kilometre hike ends at the Capolago-Riva S. Vitale stop.
02/ Along the route
What's along the way
Where the route climbs and where it descends. Hover the profile to find the spot on the map.
03/ Conditions
Current conditions
What to know before you set off. Closures and snow are re-checked every day.
How we check: Every night we match the route against the official closures and detours from the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Any reported closure that touches the route shows up here.
How we check: We look up a live public transport connection from your starting point to the stop closest to the trailhead. If it ends further away, the nearest stop may be a cable car or bus that isn't running right now.
How we check: Snow depth estimated daily at the lowest and the highest point of the route. Estimates: check the situation on site.
04/ Getting there
Getting there
From your door to the trailhead and home again, by train and bus or by car. Computed live from the timetable.
Or from
Outbound
Return
05/ Weather
Weather on the way
Forecast for the lowest and the highest point of the route.
Weather
06/ Trail & landscape
Trail & landscape
Which paths you walk on and the landscape they lead through.
07/ Snow
Snow on the route
Snow depths, new snow and forecast. Estimates: check the situation on site before you set off.
Snow Info
Comparative snow depth is only available from November 1 to June 30.
08/ Export
Take the route with you
Load the track onto your GPS device, print a route sheet for the trail or send the route to your hiking group.
Share
Send the link to friends or your hiking group.
Export GPX File
For hiking apps, GPS watches and navigation devices.
Print Route Sheet
A4 with map, elevation profile, waypoints and emergency numbers.
