Trans Swiss Trail
Overview
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Distance 25 km
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Duration 8 h 20 min
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Ascent 1400 m
Intro
Steep climb to the Val d’Isone with views of Piano di Magadino. Only a marsh remains of the lake at Gola di Lago. On through a sea of ferns in a sparse birch forest towards Bigorio. Santa Maria Franciscan monastery like an eagle’s nest above Tesserete.
Description
The stage starts at the Bellinzona train station, and it is worth making a detour to the historic castles (UNESCO world heritage site). Bellinzona's fortresses are among the most important witnesses to the art of medieval fortification in the alpine region. The oldest and most impressive castle, the Castelgrande, offers a beautiful view of the historic centre and the surrounding area. A small museum in the Castelgrande and in the other two castles documents the history of the fortifications and the town centre of Bellinzona. Even in the days of the Romans, who first built a fort here in the 1st century, Bellinzona was strategically important because of its location. The city was repeatedly a bone of contention between the Dukes of Milan and the Confederates, the latter being able to annex it in 1516.
After leaving the train station, you head in the direction of the Ticino river. You reach Giubiasco on gravel paths and partly paved roads along the river. At the Parco Motto Grande with its large playground, you gradually leave civilisation behind and climb steeply in the direction of Cima di Dentro. A nice forest path leads past typical rustici houses to the highest point, a little over 1000 m.a.s.l. By now you have been on the road for about four hours. It is quite possible that you will witness military exercises on the Cima di Dentro. The noise of grenades and rifles is common here. The village of Isone, located behind Cima di Dentro, is known for the training of grenadiers.
After a pleasant descent through birch woods, the route crosses Isone and climbs up again on the other side: steeper at first and then, from Muricce, more leisurely up to Gola di Lago. During the general mobilisation in 1939, the pass, together with Ponte Brolla, Indemini, Mezzovico and Gandria, formed a barely surmountable defensive line. Up to here, the Trans Swiss Trail and Via Gottardo share the route. The more scenic section to Tesserete has been secured by national route no. 2. You reach Condra along delightful paths, through enchanted birch forests and with views of the surrounding peaks. This is followed by the descent and the last hour of hiking. After Tesserete, you pass the Capuchin monastery of Bigorio. Founded in 1535, it is the oldest in Switzerland. Around 200 metres in altitude are covered on paved paths and along the typical Ticino stone walls. The last stretch to Tesserete, once more shared with the Via Gottardo, follows after walking down the twisting streets of the village centre of Bigorio. A little further on, below the parish church of San Stefano, Tesserete's main attraction, the varied, physically demanding hike ends after about eight hours.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Bellinzona
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Tesserete
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
1400 m
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| Descent |
1100 m
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| Distance |
25 km
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| Duration |
8 h 20 min
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| Duration back |
8 h
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| Technical requirements |
Medium
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| Physical requirements |
Difficult
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| Season |
March - October
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| More information | https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/wanderland/etappe2.... |
Quick Facts
Route number
