What is the difficulty level of this hiking tour?

This section of the Trans Swiss Trail is a enjoyable hike with plenty of views and short daily distances, which are a mixture of uphill and downhill paths . You need to be good on your feet to navigate the paths over ridges and hills. Further details about the route and a detailed map can be found at SwitzerlandMobility.

Can I customise the duration of the trip?

The duration of the trip is preset by our booking system. If you would like to shorten or extend this, simply contact us by email or telephone – you will find contact details below. We will be happy to provide you with a customised offer .

How does the luggage transport work?

Luggage transport is provided by a reliable partner. During the tour, please leave your luggage at reception by 09:00 . It will be at the next accommodation by 18:00 . Luggage tags are usually left for you when checking it at the first overnight stop. Only one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20 kg is allowed per person.

What can I do in bad weather?

Our hiking tours are suitable for all weather conditions . We recommend that you are prepared for cooler temperatures and changeable conditions. Pack weatherproof clothing so that you can still enjoy the hike even in less ideal conditions .

What does the SwitzerlandMobility Pro subscription offer me?

With the SwitzerlandMobility Pro subscription, you can view the entire route and also use the detailed version of this, even while offline . Thanks to the live location and compass functions , you can always pinpoint where you are – even without network reception. You can plan your stages one by one and download the GPS data to navigate seemlessly.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment. Demand is particularly high for the high season (see above). You can book your package online at the touch of a button or via our travel experts .

Hiking Holidays

Highlights of Ticino

Experience secluded valleys, breathtaking high-altitude trails and the "dolce vita" of the southernmost corner of Switzerland. Your hiking holiday will take you from the castles of Bellinzona to lively Lugano, along Lake Lugano to Mendrisio. Ticino offers a perfect combination of history, nature and Italian joie de vivre.

7 days / 6 nights

from CHF 1,240

A person hiking a mountain trail overlooking a scenic landscape of hills and a lake under a clear blue sky.

Highlights

Relaxing boat cruise across Lake Lugano between Morcote and Serpiano
Voted the most beautiful village in Switzerland – Morcote
Bellinzona's three castles – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take the cable car up to Monte San Giorgio
Journey back 240 million years to the dinosaur age at the Fossil Museum

A waterfront with trees, a building, and a boat by the water.

A beautiful Italian piazza with colorful buildings, a church tower in the background, and blooming trees in the foreground.

5 Images

Itinerary

Overview

Day 1

Arrival in Bellinzona

Itinerary

You are travelling to Bellinzona by public transport. You have time to discover the historic Fortress of Bellinzona.

Overnight stay in Bellinzona

An old castle on a hill with two towers, surrounded by a modern cityscape at sunset.

Day 2

Hike from Bellinzona to Isone

Itinerary

You climb up to the "Cima di Dentro" and enjoy the view of the Magadino plain and Lake Maggiore. Then it's down to Isone.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation profile: ↑ 840 m ↓ 315 m

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Overnight stay in Isone

A vast mountain landscape with a calm lake, surrounded by green hills under a blue sky.

Day 3

Hike from Isone to Tesserete

Itinerary

First, hike through the swamp at Gola di Lago. Then continue over Monte Bigorio to the Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria in Tesserete.

Distance: 11 km

Elevation profile: ↑ 435 m ↓ 660 m

Duration: approx. 3h 30min

Overnight stay in Tesserete

Day 4

Hike from Tesserete to Lugano

Itinerary

Take the bus to Cimadera. The tour takes you over Monte Boglia to Monte Bré, where you can enjoy the view over Lugano. You then take the funicular to the city centre.

Distance: 14 km

Elevation profile: ↑ 860 m ↓ 1,055 m

Duration: approx. 5h 30min

Overnight stay in Lugano

A city view at sunrise with mountains, a church tower, and a mountain railway.

Day 5

Hike from Lugano to Serpiano

Itinerary

You hike from Monte San Salvatore to Vico Morcote, past small villages and cosy grottos. From Morcote, the route continues to Serpiano.

Distance: 13 km

Elevation profile: ↑ 855 m ↓ 855 m

Duration: approx. 5h

Overnight stay in Serpiano

Day 6

Hike from Serpiano to Mendrisio

Itinerary

You travel by boat and cable car to Serpiano. Discover dinosaur fossils in the museum in Meride, which are 230 to 240 million years old.

Distance: 12 km

Elevation profile: ↑ 690 m ↓ 945 m

Duration: approx. 4h

Overnight stay in Mendrisio

A panoramic panel at a viewpoint shows a lake and surrounding mountains; a cable car is visible.

Day 7

Return journey from Mendrisio

Itinerary

Start your return journey by public transport.

Aerial view of the historic centre of Mendrisio

When is the best time to travel?

Travel period

April to October

Recommended travel period

May to October

High season

July, August

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Included in your booking

Your Digital Swiss Coupon Pass

With every package holiday booking in 2026, we'll give you a Digital Swiss Coupon Pass – your key to over 100 exclusive 2-for-1 experiences throughout Switzerland. Discover more, enjoy more and save up to CHF 4,500.

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Important information about the trip

What our Switzerland expert says

Deserved view
The breathtaking view of the Ticino lake landscape is more than deserved after the metres of altitude you have covered. It's like being in the Mediterranean.
Oliver