ViaGottardo, Stage 18/20

A challenging trail leads from Paradiso up to San Salvatore, Lake Lugano's most famous vantage point. Past picturesque landscapes and hospitable grotti, the ridge hike heads south through the forest and ends in a long, winding stone staircase to Morcote.

The ascent begins at the Paradiso stop, leaving the built-up area behind and entering the forest. The mountain trail, marked white-red-white throughout, climbs steeply and reaches the summit area of Monte San Salvatore at the Puntorosso viewpoint. At around 890 metres, the highest point of the route lies near the summit church; after that, the first long ascent eases off.

The trail descends through forest and across wooded slopes to Carabbia and Ciona. At the Oratorio Santa Maria delle Grazie, it climbs again towards Carona. There, the route passes close to the late-Gothic church of Santa Marta before disappearing once more between the houses and entering the forest.

The final third leads in constant ups and downs across the slopes of the Arbostora. The long descent to Morcote then begins. Shortly before the village, the mountain trail passes Castello di Morcote and rapidly loses altitude. Between the first houses, it continues to the Oratorio di Sant’Antonio da Padova and then descends to Lake Lugano and the Morcote (lago) stop.