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Trip Highlights:

• Settle into a cozy trattoria. Sample delicious food, fine wines and the infinite charms of a sunny Italian inspired region of Switzerland.

• Overnight in the famous resort towns of Locarno and Lugano.

• Wide sweeping views of the region's prominent lakes, Maggiore and Lugano.

• Tranquil villages and trails that time forgot.

Ancient villages of stone construction are strung along steep-sided valleys in this Italian-speaking canton of Switzerland: the Ticino. Although once ruled by the Dukes of Milan, the Ticino region still offers quintessential Swiss landscapes. Deeply enfolded pre-Alpine landscapes with many valleys, centuries-old stone villages, and historic mountain pastoral life make Ticino an outstanding hiking destination. Enjoy unspoiled walking along river valleys with cobalt-blue and emerald-green water, through cool chestnut forests, to high rocky peaks; and, situated amongst the landscapes, encounter charming, antique villages with medieval churches and ruins.

Our hiking route through the Ticino starts in the middle of the region near the Verzasca Valley, and heads to the southern part of Ticino. With multiple summits to bag, your trek encounters the most spectacular mountain scenery, including numerous lake view sightings as well as snow-dusted peak backdrops. Hiking days are moderate; six to eight miles with up to 2,700 feet of elevation gain. To hike between some of the villages, you walk both along valley floors and through forests to gain summits. You use funicular and cable cars to reserve energy to climb to reach the peaks for spectacular views over the summits and lakes, or to access the most atmospheric ancient villages.

One of the great charms of the Ticino is the region’s culture: a blend of Italian passion with a hint of Germanic influence. You begin in the bustling, yet charming lake resort town of Locarno, with its lake front promenade, arcaded shops, Piazza Grande, and winding cobbled streets, home to many artisan shops and ateliers. Following a quick transfer into a remote valley with numerous ruins, active herding hamlets, and intriguing stone architecture, you arrive into Val Verzasca to visit the charming villages of Corippo and Lavertezzo, known for their intense green river water, before returning to Locarno.

A ridge line hike takes you from the top of Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema, if legs permit. Next you head south to summit Monte Brè. Enjoy a historic cog railway ride above the lake and hike into Italy to have lunch, then return to Switzerland and the amazing vistas provided by Monte Generoso. Continue on to the southern tip of the Ticino region, hiking through the lovely shaded forest of Monte San Salvatore where you descend to the ancient village of Meride using an old trading route to overnight in Morcote. Finally, with a short boat transfer to Brusino, the goal of your last hike is to summit Monte Giorgio.

Learn more about the Ticino destination