This superb panorama mountain is one of Lugano's landmarks. Monte San Salvatore not only offers splendid views on all sides but also has numerous hiking trails. The tour from the summit through chestnut forests along the lake to Morcote is a classic. Getting to the top is not a problem as the funicular railway takes only 12 minutes to ascend 909 metres from Lugano-Paradiso. 

Technical information 

Starting point:   San Salvatore

Destination:       Morcote

Getting to the starting point: Funicular railway from Lugano-Paradiso to San Salvatore

Getting to the destination: Bus or boat from Morcote

Technique: medium

Physical fitness: medium

Length: 9.8km

Hiking time:  3h00

Season: March till November

Description

The 360 degree panoramic views from the observation terrace are hard to beat and reach from Lake Lugano over the Po Valley to the peaks of the Swiss and Savoy Alps.

The descent to Morcote does start off quite steeply. From Ciona, however, easy paths with no more significant changes in altitude take you through the forest to the artists' village of Carona, which was a source of inspiration for Hermann Hesse, amongst others. Here the botanical garden Parco San Grato with its collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and conifers is well worth a visit.

An easy forest trail leads from Carona past the 17th century Sanctuary of Madonna d'Ongero and an hour later to Alpe Vicania, whose "grotto" restaurant seems to have a magical attraction for the locals in summer. Running idyllically through the chestnut forest and over hundreds of steps it finally arrives at the picturesque Morcote on the lake, where a boat trip back to Lugano makes for a relaxed ending to this wonderful Ticino hike.