Spring, with its colours and scents, is just around the corner, and when the temperature starts to rise and the days get longer, it's easy to imagine how pleasant it can be to take a hike or a nice walk. Nature is awakening, the weather conditions make it enjoyable to be outdoors, and the desire to explore enchanting places, such as those offered by Ticino, grows in us. With its mild microclimate, this canton in the south of Switzerland is home to beautiful landscapes with 4,300 kilometres of hiking trails of rare beauty.

Spring walks to admire the snow-capped peaks

The month of March and April are particularly fascinating in Ticino; the valleys are covered in colourful flowers and in the background, we can still see the snow-covered mountain peaks. The yellow of the mimosas, the camellias' soft colours, and the green of the palm gardens create a picture of infinite beauty that creates a spectacle that can only be seen at this precise time of the year.

In order to admire these views in all their beauty, several trails and walks should not be missed. Ideally, it would be best to start with an excursion that allows you to enjoy a 360° panorama, such as the path leading to the summit of Monte San Salvatore and leads to Lake Lugano and Morcote historic centre that tourists very appreciate. During the walk, you can admire chestnut groves, picturesque villages, and a spectacular view of the Padana Plain and the Swiss and Savoy Alps. Monte San Salvatore is the symbol of Lugano and there are many itineraries for walkers of all levels and abilities.
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Another fascinating route is the educational trail "Tra monti e lago" (Between mountains and lake), which connects the municipality of Gambarogno with Contone by following a long walk. It is a mountain path that winds through woods, meadows, and small villages, with enchanting views and panoramas. The track is made even more interesting by some installations realised by the Gambarogno schools. These thematic panels tell ancient and modern stories linked to the evolution and geography of the Ticino territory.
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Spring walks in Ticino to explore the hiking trails

Ticino offers walks and excursions in contact with nature throughout the year, although spring is the ideal period for such explorations.

One of the fascinating paths is that of the Val Piora lakes, which offers the possibility of admiring one of the most enchanting and uncontaminated landscapes in Ticino. Known as "The paradise of Alpine lakes", this route surprises every traveller and allows you to explore the Alpe di Piora. Start out from Piotta by taking the red Ritom funicular, which is among the steepest in the world with its maximum gradient of 87.8%. Once at the Piora station, walk for a few minutes to work off the adrenaline built up during the ascent and to admire the view, then proceed up to an altitude of 2208 metres, on Pizzo Föisc, where there is a welcoming mountain lodge and from where you then proceed down towards Lake Ritom.
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For an incomparable view of Lake Maggiore, choose the Monte Gambarogno trail. This is a relatively short hiking trail that leads from the Alpe di Neggia to the small village of Indemini. It is a beautiful walk, showing Lake Maggiore in all its splendour. Food and wine lovers will enjoy the fresh cheese from the Alpe, produced by small local farms.
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An easy but still fascinating walk leads from Caprino to Cantine Gandria, along the shores of Lake Lugano. The intense blue of the water, the towns' particular view, and the imposing mountains that surround the area leave every traveller speechless. Suppose you want to make the walk even more enjoyable in that case, you can taste the local products of the villages of Caprino and Gandria or end the excursion onboard a boat and cruise along the lake and appreciate the spring wind that gently caresses your hair.
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Spring walks in Ticino with children

The Canton of Ticino also offers exciting ideas for families with children, and numerous trails can be enjoyed in spring in the company of children.

The Viulin path is suitable for all age groups. It starts in Sagno and takes about 30 to 40 minutes to walk, with a maximum height difference of 100 metres, to a beautiful panoramic terrace overlooking Lake Como. The route is very engaging and instructive as it passes through the Bosco Saggio di Giò woodland where aphorisms are carved into tree trunks. The walk is also enlivened by little wooden creatures for the little ones to play with and take fun pictures of.
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For those who want to combine nature and history, there is Camorino, with the Fortini della Fame. An easy hike, suitable for families, between woods and vineyards allows you to explore some forts built as a defensive system in 1853. The fortifications resemble towers and provide detailed historical information for the more curious didactic boards. The route is circular, so you always return to where you started, and at the end of the walk you can opt for a stop at the Motto Grande Park, where there is a small playground and tables for a pleasant picnic.
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The Sentiero dei Filosofi (Philosophers' Path), which starts in Cademario, is another beautiful walk-through woods and meadows, where you can appreciate flora and fauna. The ascent is gentle and at the highest point there is the Arosio cross, where it is possible to stop for a packed lunch. This is a relatively short hike, so for all those who have the time and interest, a diversion to Alpe Agra with its small pond could be an excellent idea to lengthen the route and allow children to appreciate and admire the Ticino biotype.
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