HomeSwitzerlandTicinoLegendary trail Route 66: Lugano Bike

Legendary trail Route 66: Lugano Bike

Lugano Bike – one of the most attractive single trails in the Ticino winds its way as a high trail around the Val Colla above Lugano and leads through the hilly forests of Malcantone to the imposing Monte Tamaro. A fantastic tour with spectacular panoramic views.

  • Start location: Lugano
  • Distance: 120 km
  • Ascent: 5100 m
  • Natural surface: 82 km
  • Multiday route: 4 days
  • Time required: 17H 35
  • Destination: Ponte Tresa
  • Direction: One way
  • Descent: 5700 m
  • Singletrail: 33 km
  • Difficulty: High
  • Theme: With panoramic view

The individual sections offer wide diversity. As an example, along the stretch between the Monte Bre and Rivero and in Malcantone. The entire tour is characterized by varied and interesting countryside with fairy-tale forests and lush Alpine meadows.

The first part of the ridge between the Pairolo and Gola di Lago, a biking classic, is spectacularly scenic and lined with three cosy huts. In contrast however, the Malcantone lies on a valley slope at the foot of the mountain, with lush forests and picturesque villages bearing witness to past activities and monuments of historical and artistic importance.

The first half of the tour is marked by an impressive panorama, green Alpine meadows and babbling streams. The second leads through an enchanting natural oasis. Forests of birch, chestnut and oak, both local and introduced species of trees, alternate along the entire route.

The route leads through the area of the region’s most famous mountains: the Monté Brè, Monte Bar and Monte Tamaro. However, it is best to take the aerial gondola up the Monte Lema. From the four peaks you are treated to impressive views of the city of Lugano and its large lake, the imposing backdrop of the Bernese and Valais Alps, Lago Maggiore and neighbouring Italy. A perfect panorama route dotted with regional discoveries.

Flowing single trails on natural surfaces alternate with links on asphalt roads.
A tour combining nature, panoramic views, history and culture. The route uses the development potential of the regional bike network. Only a few of Switzerland’s bike routes can offer such variety.

STAGES:

Print Friendly and PDF

PDF GUIDE

You can take this brochure with you on a ride.

LOCARNO WEATHER
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Keep exploring...

Places to travel

MTB
UNPAVED
Switzerland

Legendary trail Route 66: Lugano Bike

120
km
5100
m
5700
m
2-4hr
Moderate
GRAVEL/ROAD BIKES
PAVED
Italy, Austria
415
km
5410
m
5805
m
30 hr (8 days)
Moderate
MTB
UNPAVED
Switzerland
117.5
km
5380
m
5380
m
4-5hr
Difficult

Related Articles

Top 5 Croatian Coastal Destinations for cyclists

Picking your summer holiday destination might be even harder when you are an avid...

Lombardy by bike: 5 family-friendly routes

Five easy cycle routes in Lombardy. For a family-friendly bike ride.Mincio cycle path to...

Cycle and discover our heritage

The Railroad of Ciro is historically remembered for it’s steam locomotives, it passes through...

Montenegro: Top biking trail The stories by the water

From the pancakes of King Nikola, via the southernmost fiord of Europe, to the...

The Danube Bike Trail

Starting at the historic German border town of Passau, the trail follows the Danube...

The Alpe Adria Cycle Path: From the city of Mozart to the Adriatic Sea

The Alpe Adria Cycle Path (Ciclovia Alpe Adria Radweg, hence the acronym CAAR), a...

Cardada Bike – adventurous route Locarno

An adventurous circuit route in the surroundings of Cardada and Val Resa that starts...

Vallemaggia route: Locarno – Cavergno

At Ponte Brolla the force of the River Maggia has cleft the rock, gouging...