Hiking Adventure: From San Salvatore to Morcote — above lake Lugano

Yes, you're right, it's been a while since I went hiking, since I post something on Instagram or wrote a blog. To be honest a bit of backout was totally worth it, but on the other hand I missed you guys a lot.

So, here it is. A hike from 25.4.25

I've been to Lugano many time. I was at Monte Brè 3 times but never on the other side of the lake Lugano. April was extremely nice this year when it comes to the weather but the past week was just windy and cold. But yesterday there was a nice weather on the south so there was no excuse to stay home anymore.

Getting There

I started early from rainy Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Main Station) with catching a smooth SBB train south to Lugano. The journey was about 2h. Once we passed the Gothard Tunel the weather changed completely.

Upon arriving in Lugano, I made my way to Paradiso (just one stop from Lugano by local train or a short walk), where the San Salvatore Funicular awaits at the base of the mountain. I purchased a one-way ticket for the ride up, planning to hike all the way down to Morcote.👉 You can buy your San Salvatore funicular tickets online at www.montesansalvatore.ch

The Hike

The 15min ride with gondola offered a nice view on the town Lugano. In between of the ride we had to change the gondola and it was quite full of people. I assume everyone wanted to skip the rainy north part and just enjoy a nice weather in a while.

At the summit of San Salvatore (912 m), a small panoramic platform offered 360-degree views. I haven't been there but you should and please tag me on you're post so I can see it.

Anyways. It was already around 1pm at that point so I had to start moving. The trail was well-marked (look out for the yellow hiking signs) and mostly shaded by trees — perfect for a sunny day a bit less if you're expecting to have a view on the lake all the time The path meanders through peaceful forests, opens up to occasional viewpoints, and passes tiny Swiss-Italian villages like Ciona and Carona — both worthy of a slow wander.

After Carona, the trail leads to the enchanting Parco San Grato, a botanical park famous for its rhododendrons and azaleas (if you visit in spring, it’s a floral explosion!).

From there, I continued hiking downwards, towards the picture-perfect lakeside town of Morcote, often called the "Pearl of Ceresio." The descent becomes a bit steeper and with a lot of stairs (I google it, there should be 404). Good hiking shoes are highly recommended (as always)

I arrive to Morcote after a bit more than 2,5h, directly to the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso that was originally built in the 13th century.

Morcote has received several accolades for its beauty and cultural value:

• Most Beautiful Village in Switzerland (2016): Awarded by a national competition organized by Swiss media outlets and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. ​

• Best Tourism Villages (2023): Recognized by the UN World Tourism Organization for its commitment to sustainable tourism and cultural preservation. (https://morcote.ch/)

For more information on visiting Morcote, including events, accommodations, and travel tips, you can visit the official tourism website: morcoteturismo.ch.

Going back

I recommend with boat. You're going to have a beautiful view on the whole village. It's operated by Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano (SNL). The trip typically takes approximately 47 minutes and you're gonna have a chance to get a beautiful view.

Hope you enjoyed the post. Let me know if you have any questions/suggestions. See you next time <3