11 Colourful Hikes in Ticino : A Palette of Adventures

You are about to discover some of the most beautiful hikes in Ticino. Whether it is a vibrant green mountain and forest hike, or an adventure along the azure rivers and waterfalls Ticino is so famous for.

One thing is sure, after hiking in Ticino’s vibrant landscapes, you’ll be left with a kaleidoscope of memories.

So, grab your hiking boots, embrace the vivid colours, and let Ticino’s breathtaking landscapes be your canvas for unforgettable adventures. Happy hiking!

Colourful Hikes in Ticino

The Ticino hiking trails below can be normally undertaken from the beginning of April through to November.

Hiking in Ticino during the shoulder seasons can be very rewarding as it is less crowded. If the trails you hike need a cable car, just make sure that they are in operation and check the timetable.

Some of these best hikes in Ticino can also be completed by mountain bike and all are suitable for families.

On each of the Ticino hikes I have stated whether we did it with our bikes or on foot.

Furthermore, on most of these hikes, you will have a link to a more detailed hiking guide with a map. I will eventually write a single guide for all of these hikes in Ticino when time allows.

Ticino Hiking Map

All the below mentioned hikes are marked on the Ticino hiking map.

How to Use This Map:

Access the map by clicking on the map.

By Clicking the icons on the map you get more information about each point of interest. From most of the points you can link to a more detailed hiking guide.

Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account so you will always have it with you when hiking in Ticino.

To view it later on, on your phone or computer, simply open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.

Hiking in Ticino near Lugano

The following hikes are in the Lugano region. Whether your hotel or apartment is in Lugano or not, Lugano can easily be reached by train from all over Ticino.

1. Hiking Parco San Grato to Morcote

This is one of our absolute favourite hikes in Ticino.

Start in Lugano and take the bus to Carona Paese, a beautiful artisanal village in Ticino. From there your hiking trail takes you to Parco San Grato, with its amazing flora and coulours throughout.

This park is also perfect to spend some time exploring the different trails within. Plus, it has the bonus points of a playground and  barefoot path.

As you carry on through the chestnut forest high up on the Lugano hill, the hiking path passes some great viewpoints overlooking Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano) offering vistas that will leave you in awe.

Morcote Hiking Facts

Distance: 5.7 km / Ascent 185 metres / Descent 497 metres
Start: Lugano / Finish: Morcote
Transport: Bus and Boat

Good to know: If there is no boat back from Morcote to Lugano you have the option to take the bus.

Read more Parco San Grato to Morcote Hike – Nature’s Beauty Unveiled

2. Hiking at Mount Generosso – Valle Muggio

Another classic hike in Ticino not to be missed. Hiking at Mount Generosso at an altitude of 1704m.

This place gives you the option of hiking for hours or simply hike to the viewpoints. No matter what you decide, hiking at Mount Generosso will bring you deep in to the Muggio Valley where shades of green are dominating.

And if you are a sucker for epic views, then this Ticino hike simply cannot be missed.

Marvel at the entire Ticino region, far into the Valais Alps and south into Italy.

To reach Mount Generosso you need to take the train from Capolago station near Melide.

Or hike up to the summit. The train offers several stops along the way, from where you can disembark and hike up to the summit for more exercise.

Hiking Facts Mount Generosso

As there are so many variations on the top to hike around, I have left this section out.

Start: / Finish: Summit Mount Generosso
Transport: Train from the Capolago station near Melide.

Good to know: There is a great restaurant at the top, the Fiore di Pietra, from architect Mario Botta. A self-service or a la carte restaurant are your options.

3. Hiking from Agno to Caslano

 This is the perfect option for families that hike with children who are not yet ready for the mountains.

We biked this trail and it was amazing.

From the Agno train station take the path down to the lake shore and basically just follow it along as long as you wish.

The trail passes along some small harbours which allow you to put your feet in the water or even go for a dip.

At one section you will pass through a small housing estate but soon the path will bring you back again to the lake.

Caslano is a small pretty village nestled on Lake Lugano’s shoreline. The ideal place to find a restaurant and people watch.

Hike Monte Caslano

If you feel that this easy hike or bike ride to Caslano was not enough, climb up Monte Caslano to get a great view over Lake Lugano.

Agno to Caslano Hiking Facts

Distance: 5.1 km / Ascent 4 metres / Descent 3 metres
Start: Agno / Finish: Caslano
Transport: Train

Good to know: You can take the train back to Lugano or wherever you have to go if you do not want to hike back the same way. And if easy biking in Ticino is more your thing, than this would be a perfect trail.

4. Hiking the Olive Grove Path to Gandria

Probably more of a stroll than a hike along Lake Lugano’s shoreline. Yet not one to be missed.

I love this for an evening stroll, when the golden hours colours reflect on the sparkling lake.

The path guides you along some of the oldest olive trees you can find in Ticino, always accompanied by the noise of the waves gently breaking on to the shore of Lake Lugano.

In Gandria visit the small village with its artisanal feel.

Hiking facts Olive Path to Gandria

Distance: 2.4 km / Ascent 38 metres / Descent 34 metres
Start: Castagnola-Lugano / Finish: Gandria
Transport: Optional boat transfer

Good to know: If you like to hike here during the evening hours, we suggest to come by boat from Lugano, have a snack in Gandria and then hike back to Lugano.

Hiking in Ticino near Ascona -Locarno

I am probably not wrong if I say, that Ascona – Locarno is Ticino’s most visited area. A great central place from where to visit the whole canton or stay local and visit the different magnificent side valleys.

1. Hiking the BoBosco trail – Verzasca

If you visit Ticino with your family then hiking the BoBosco trail in Valle Verzasca is an absolute must.

There will be no need to tell the kids to walk a bit faster, they will be nearly running from one station to the other.

All you need is a wooden ball, the BoBosco, which you can buy on site and the fun can begin. Along the trail there are 12 stations where the ball will be rolling, floating, jumping and even riding a “cablecar” from a to b.

And whilst the kids have fun on the stations you can enjoy the beautiful landscape the Valle Verzasca offers with its amazing crystal-clear water running down the river.

BoBosco Trail Hiking Facts

Distance: 5.5 km / Ascent 45 metres / Descent 237 metres
Start: Brione / Finish: Lavertezzo Valle Verzasca
Transports: Bus

Good to know: Since May 2023 there is a second BoBosco trail which means twice as much fun along the Verzasca valley!

This trail is between Gerra Verzasca and Sonogno. The trail is more in the open and has less shady sections, so keep this is mind should you visit Verzasca on a hot summer day.

Best to park your car at Sonogno car park and take the bus back to Gerra V. from where you can start the BoBosco trail.

Read more The BoBosco Trail – In the Beautiful Verzasca Valley Watch our BoBosco Trail Video

2. A Hike to Corippo – Valle Verzasca

If you have time you could hike in the Valle Verzasca all day long. It is such a vibrant, beautiful place within Ticino.

For this section you will be hiking along the lower area of the Verzasca valley starting at Lavertezzo. Or to be more specific at the famous Ponte dei Salti, the Romanesque stone bridge.

Take some time and enjoy the area around the bridge. On hot summer days this is a favourite spot to jump from the bridge into the glacier water. You will see a lot of people laying out their colourful towels on the large rocks and just enjoying this place for the day. Hence it can get super busy.

But we will be leaving this place and are heading down towards Corippo, the Ticino village that has become a hotel.

Hiking Facts Corippo Valle Verzasca

Distance: 3.2 km / Ascent 86 metres / Descent 68 metres
Start: Lavertezzo / Finish: Corippo
Transport: Bus

Good to know: Corippo has transformed into an Albergo Diffuso which is a hotel offering different rooms around the village with a main building containing the restaurant and reception in the heart of the village.

A unique concept that has helped to revitalise this ghost village.

Maybe a good idea to spend the night here.

You could also hike all the way to Verzasca Dam and catch the bus there. This would be a 11.5 km hike along the Valle Verzasca.

3. Hike the Foroglio Waterfall and Val Calnègia – Valle Maggia

This hike should be on every best autumn hikes in Switzerland list. For sure also beautiful during any time of the season, but when the autumn shades are in full power the Calnègia valley is simply spectacular.

Head to Foroglio deep in the Valle Maggia in Ticino. From there visit the foot of the photogenic Foroglio waterfall and make sure also to walk around the village itself. A beautiful old traditional Ticino village where stone slab buildings and roofs provide a scene from a hobbit movie.

People who live in this village close down their houses for winter and move down the valley.

To reach the Val Calnègia and Puntid area, a deserted hamlet of stone houses and shelters right above the Foroglio waterfall, you have to hike up.  The steep path starts behind the village and climbs parallel to the Foroglio waterfall through the forest.

You have to overcome quite some steps, which can be slippery, but nothing too hard or dangerous.

At the top. Wow! Especially during the autumn months. A pallet of multiple shades from bright yellow through to dark brown including some vibrant red. Just breathtaking.

Foroglio & Val Calnègia Hiking Facts

Distance: 1 km / Ascent 197 metres / Descent 197 metres
Start: Foroglio Village / Finish: Top at Puntid bridge – Val Calnègia
Transport: Bus or car

Good to know: If you visit during the beautiful colourful autumnal season, keep in mind that you will only have sun for a very short time of the day.

In October when we visited the sunny window was from 11:30 to 14h00.

Hiking in Ticino near Bellinzona

The north of Ticino offers some great alpine hikes and hidden gems. Definitely an area you should not miss when visiting Ticino.

1. Carasc Tibetan Bridge Hike

This is a hike in Ticino that needs to be planned, as during peak summer season the crowds can get too much.

Also, if you like the easier option and wish to take the cable car up from Monte Carasso you NEED TO PREBOOK your ticket for a given time slot.

Nevertheless it is a fantastic hike und should not be missed when visiting Ticino and the Bellinzona region.

Tibetan Bridge Hiking Facts

Distance: 5.5 km / Ascent 264 metres / Descent 640 metres
Start: Monte Carasso cablecar station / Finish: Sementina – Monte Carasso
Transport: Bus

Good to know: There are different options on how best to hike the Tibetan Bridge in Ticino.

Most important is that if you take the cablecar up to the hamlet of Curzútt you must prebook your time slot. (Especially during peak season).

Read More Carasc Tibetan Bridge Hike

2. Hiking around the Bellinzona Castles (Fortresses)

You may think that this is more a visit, but believe me if you are visiting all three Bellinzona Castles you will be hiking quite a bit.

And we do think that all three castles –  Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro should be visited as each one has its own special something.

Our favourite was Montebello. The middle one.

The medieval history is still so present in this area of Ticino and hiking in the medieval atmosphere of this UNESCO Heritage site is a must.

All three castles are in great condition and with the different exhibitions within, it is a fantastic way of spending the day in Bellinzona.

If you have time embark on the loop hike starting in Bellinzona old town and finishing at the same place. (Hiking facts below).

An easier option would be to take the post bus line 4 from Bellinzona centre up to Sasso Corbaro and start your hike from there. Times are not very frequent therefore make sure you check them before planning to visit and hike the Bellinzona castles.

Hiking Facts Bellinzona Castles

If you do hike the entire loop these are the figures.

Distance: 5.5 km / Ascent 280 metres / Descent 280 metres
Start: Bellinzona old town / Finish: Bellinzona old town
Transport: Shuttle bus if chosen

Good to know: This is also perfect to do on your bike, like we did.

If you would like to visit inside the castles and their museums you need the Bellinzona ticket which is well worth getting. Check if there is a special exhibition on. At the time of our visit in 2022 the Michel Angelo 3D show was on and it was fantastic.

3. Following the history of “La Via del Ceneri”

This Ticino hiking trail will bring you back in time to when the pilgrims used this trail to transport their goods.

The easier La Via Del Ceneri hiking route starts at the Piazza Ticino on the Monte Ceneri Pass. The piazza square symbolically represents the union between the 3 Ticino regions – Locarno, Bellinzona, Lugano. This is also the central point of Ticino.

Follow this educational and historical trail by hiking over the Ceneri Pass and down to Cadenazzo in the Magadino Valley.

This is our recommended way to hike it with children. For more exercise you can hike it in reverse.

Via del Ceneri Hiking Facts

Distance: 6.9 km / Ascent 73 metres / Descent 424 metres
Start: Piazza Ticino – on the Monte Ceneri Pass / Finish: Cadenazzo
Transport: By train and bus

Read more La via del Ceneri hiking trail

4. Val Piora – Lago Ritòm

Hiking at Val Piora and its lago Ritòm, lago di Tom and lago Cadagno will be one of these hikes that you will talk for many months to come. Why, because it is a beautiful, rural place high up in the northern Ticino Mountains.

The adventure already starts by getting up to Val Piora plateau. From Piotta board one of the steepest cableways in the world.

We visited in May and had the whole mountain plateau to ourselves. Not a single person was around.

Val Piora Hiking facts

Distance: 6.9 km / Ascent 73 metres / Descent 424 metres
Start: Piotta / Finish: Piotta
Transport: By train, bus, or car to Piotta & then cablecar

Good to know: We biked around Val Piora. This allowed us to cover a great area. Should this be your plan, keep in mind that during peak season they have strict times when you can transport your bikes up with the funicular.

If you like the calm and rural environment Val Piora offers then why not spend the night. Check out the Rifugio Lago Ritòm, a comfortable place to stay.

Where Best to Stay in Ticino

Ticino has a great public transport system which allows easy connections by train, bus or even boat. Find a great hotel in Ticino and plan your trip around by train or bus.

More Ticino Moments

With these Ticino Blog Posts you should be able to plan an epic trip in this most beautiful Swiss canton.

• The Colours of Ticino – Visit the 4 regions and discover its dedicated colour
• 24 things to do and see of the best Ticino moments
• Lugano bike routes for families & tips when taking your bike to Lugano
• Ascona – Locarno. Best places to visit in Ticino with kids
• Things to do in Lugano. 4 day travel itinerary

Embrace the vivid colours of Ticino, and let Ticino’s breathtaking landscapes be your canvas for unforgettable adventures. Happy hiking!

Any questions you may have, please drop them below in the comments. This helps other readers to join in the conversation and benefit from your queries.

Thank you & Never Forget to Explore

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