5 Different ways how to explore Monte San Salvatore – Lugano / Ticino

5 different ways how you can explore Monte San Salvatore from easy options to more adventurous.
Suggested hiking times are based on very relaxed pace.

1. Take funicular ‑ easiest option

• Take funicular from Lugano Paradiso. (From spring to autumn.)
  One way or return.
• If you choose one way, you can walk down shorter way to Paradiso, which is about 3.5km (about 50 minutes)
• or a bit longer way, other direction to Ciona, Carabbia, Pazzalo and Paradiso, which is about 6.5km (about 1 hr and 30 mins).
• Don’t forget to enjoy terrace On the Top of Lugano Monte San Salvatore.
• Check this website for ticket prices, timetables and restaurant.

2. Loop starting in Paradiso

This one is one of my favorite options. It’s probably because it was also my very first hike as I moved to Lugano. Feel free to read full article with much more details.

Shorter version is here:

• start in Paradiso train station and follow yellow sign up the hill
• on the peak, climb up to the roof of the chapel and enjoy beautiful 360 degrees view. Note that it’s not open during the winter.
• visit museum located between the peak and upper lift station, which is open just during season.
• hike down through Ciona, Carabbia to Pazzallo and stop in Grotto San Salvatore under the chestnut trees.
• medium ‑ 10km loop / 670 m elevation / 4hrs

3. Same way up & down from Paradiso

• I prefer the option from Paradiso train station following the signs straight up the hill, passing by tiny palm forest, stairway to heaven next to the funicular and local vineyard.
• don’t miss the viewpoints. There are few of them on the way up (in the last third).
• medium ‑ 7 km / 670 m elevation / 2 hrs 50 mins

4. From Paradiso to Morcote

Monte San Salvatore is one of the highlights of section 18 of ViaGottardo (marked on trail marks as route no.7). This route connects Chiasso in the south and Basel in the northwest. It is 320km long with 10k+ high meters, divided into 20 stages.

• start in Paradiso train station and follow yellow sign up the hill with no.7, direction to Monte San Salvatore
• view from San Salvatore is for sure the first highlight
• check out Ciona, tiny mountain village right after descent from San Salvatore, it’s very cute
• direction from Lugano‑Morcote is a must; the view when walking down the last kilometer descending to the church in Morcote is just so beautiful!
• there are few grottos on the way and hopefully they will be open soon. I would recommend the one in Carona ‑ Grotto Pan Perdu. You’re halfway through in terms of distance so good time to stop and take rest
• medium ‑ 13km loop / 800 m elevation / 4hrs 30mins (with the brisk pace, I did it in 3hrs but I really didn’t stop much)

5. Via Ferrata “dolomite type”

• you can start at Paradiso train station or at parking on the top of Paradiso parco Guidino. There is also an option to start higher up in Pazzallo but I’m not familiar with parking there.
• follow trail up to San Salvatore, you will pass by funicular and have a short hike through the woods connecting the main trail to San Salvatore. Right after you get on the wider well maintained path, don’t miss big information board about via Ferrata on your right. There you have to turn right and hike up to the start of Ferrata. All together it’s about 300m of elevation before reaching the start.
• make sure you bring proper equipment (harness, shock absorbing lanyard with purpose designed karabiners and a helmet) and you’re fit. Don’t approach it at a bad weather and storms.
• route is about 250m long, with 150m elevation and it’s pretty challenging. What was the toughest for me, was the fact that the route is vertical and open so I preferred not to look down 😅
• to reach start ‑ about 50 mins. From the ending point, you can walk down the trail back to Paradiso or Pazzallo or walk 15 mins to get to funicular.
• check the website for more info.
  
  HAVE FUN AND KEEP ME POSTED ON YOUR ADVENTURES!