Hike /Schweiz Mobil
Trans Swiss Trail, Stage 32/32
MorcoteMendrisio
- Distance
- 13.0 km
- Duration
- 4:45 h
- Ascent
- 880 m
- Descent
- 820 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Fitness
- Moderate
- Route type
- One way
- Season
- March - October
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 starting point is the Morcote (lago) stop, directly beside Lake Lugano. After setting out through the village, the route follows the wooded hillside to Brusino Arsizio. The long ascent begins there: a white-red-white-marked mountain trail soon takes over, climbing mostly through dense forest to Alpe di Brusino. The grotto lies directly on the route and is an inviting place for a break.
Above the alp, the trail continues uphill towards Monte San Giorgio. The route bypasses the summit itself, leaving it slightly off to one side. Its highest point is at just over 1'030 m. This is followed by a long descent through woodland and across open meadows to Meride. The Church of San Silvestro stands on the hill above the village; shortly afterwards, the route passes Locanda San Silvestro.
The final section follows easier hiking trails towards Mendrisio. Shortly before the destination, the route runs alongside the Laveggio. After 13 kilometres and around 880 metres of ascent, the hike ends near Mendrisio railway station.
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.
