Ticino Traverso
An unforgettable south to north adventure
Length
330 Km
TOTAL ASCENT
7'000 m
Highest point
2'106 m
Dirt/paved
40%
Ridable
99%
Difficulty
7/10
" The journey points north, but after a few kilometers I am sure you will lose your sense of direction. Indeed, Ticino Traverso takes you to free your mind and live in the present, connecting by bike places that will continually surprise you: paths, dirt roads, cobblestones, asphalt and pavé will flow under your wheels in a succession of breathtaking scenery. "
- Stefano Bergamaschi, mastermind of Ticino Traverso
Ticino Traverso was born within the team of @BikePort: deep connoisseurs of the area, they love to ride in mostly remote areas being surprised by stories, landscapes and silences.
BikePort has as one of its main goals to help people discover the canton of Ticino on two wheels, and Ticino Traverso enclose all the best experiences that can be had on the bike in the region.
Adventure awaits you:
discover Ticino by bike
Can 330 km traveled by bicycle represent a journey?
Absolutely.
Ticino Traverso allows one to traverse an extraordinarily diverse territory in which one encounters crystal-clear lakes, mediterranean vegetation, restorative silences, gentle plains, larch forests, alpine rivers and majestic mountains.
A path that begins where the Po Valley meets the Prealps and ends on the Gotthard Pass, the iconic place in the Swiss Alps at over 2,000 meters altitude.
Pedaling 330 km with about 7,000 meters of elevation gain, you will discover that the real journey happens in the way the landscape transforms before your eyes: from a mediterranean environment to an untouched alpine scenery.
Photo gallery
Points of interest along the route
The canton of Ticino: land of cycling
The Canton of Ticino is renowned throughout Switzerland and northern Europe as a tourist destination where there is a relaxed, mediterranean atmosphere, typical of the Italian peninsula, combined with Swiss order, harmony and certainty.
For cyclists, however, Ticino represents something more: it is the true “land of cycling,” a motto that has become a mantra for anyone who lives or pedals in this region since 1970-80.
A climate significantly more mild compared with the rest of Switzerland, combined with a extremely varied morphology, gives cyclists countless side valleys and quiet roads that reach idyllic places.
This has made Ticino a classic for road cyclists, but Ticino Traverso offers something different.
Ticino Traverso is designed for those who want to cycling on gravel or mtb, exploring the lesser-known places: dirt roads, easy trails and asphalt back roads.
There are no set stages - only your desire to explore and see if you can still get excited by the beauty you encounter along the way. Everyone pedals at their own pace, discovering corners of Ticino that few people know about.
The route: from the southernmost point in Switzerland to the Gotthard Pass
The adventure begins in Chiasso, the southernmost city in Switzerland near the border with Italy. This major rail junction preserves the classic charm of an industrial region with a touch of decay. Quickly you will find yourself immersed in the typical vineyards of the area, characterized mainly by excellent quality Merlot.
You will then reach the region of the Monte San Giorgio and the characteristic village of Meride, a place where time has stood still, perfect for a coffee break. This whole area is UNESCO Heritage thanks to countless fossil discoveries from the Triassic period. Mandatory stop: the Arzo Quarries, where the world's unique marble with extraordinary shades of red is still extracted.
Mendrisio, called “Il Magnifico Borgo” thanks to the characteristic narrow streets and old stores in the historic core, is your gateway to the lake region. Here the River Laveggio flows into the Lake Ceresio, with its distinctly Mediterranean character and steep mountains that plunge directly into the water.
Along one of these slopes you will climb through the picturesque little village of Vico Morcote until theAlpe Vicania, a beautiful clearing with a restaurant reminiscent of a Tuscan farmhouse. A path halfway up the hill will then lead you to Carona, a splendid medieval testimony of perfectly preserved core between the two arms of the Lake Lugano.
On the way down you will have a clear view of "Collina d'Oro", the next hill you will have to climb. Montagnola will welcome you with the Museum of Herman Hesse, the famous writer buried in the village cemetery. After walking along the "via dei grotti" - quaint local restaurants once used as “public wine cellars” before refrigerators - you will descend back to lake level toward Caslano. Ice cream is simply mandatory here: the historic square directly on the lake is the ideal place.
The landscape changes dramatically. You leave the lake for good and enter the beautiful wilderness of the Malcantone, characterized by dense forests and small villages where time seems to stand still.
The “mallet” - an old workshop where iron was worked by the power of the Magliasina River water - is worth a stop and a restorative bath.
Leaving this region, you will descend along the famous road of the “Penudria“, a succession of switchbacks that in the opposite direction represents one of the most challenging climbs in the area. The route now points straight north to the Monte Ceneri Pass, the cultural watershed between the “Sopraceneri” (Alpine) and the “Sottoceneri” (Mediterranean).
A quick descent will lead us onto the Magadino plain, a vast agricultural area where the Ticino River flows into Lake Maggiore, and onto the nature reserve of the same name, a marshy area rich in biodiversity where pedaling, while respecting the surrounding fauna, will allow us to observe various species of birds that find an ideal habitat here during their long migrations between northern and southern Europe.
The road then runs in direct contact with the shores of the lake to Ascona, an ancient fishing village, now a renowned international destination that expresses in all its splendor the ideal of “Dolcevita“.
From here via a charming panormic road it is possible to admire the Brissago Islands and its botanical garden rich in Mediterranean species. Suddenly, as often happens along Ticino Traverso, the scenery changes and you find yourself pedaling through rural areas rich in tradition: the Maggia Valley with its crystal clear waters invite a refreshing stop and a revitalizing bath.
Small villages, old stone houses and chestnut forests lead us back to Locarno, to his "Piazza Grande" cradle of the famous Film Festival. Once again, in just a few kilometers, we will find ourselves cycling in a rural, agricultural setting pointing toward Bellinzona, the canton's capital, dominated by its three UNESCO World Heritage medieval castles. The historic core is well worth a thorough visit, and if you pass by on a Saturday morning, the local market will introduce you to the scents and colors of authentic Ticino gastronomic products.
Past the capital, you will pedal into the Riviera region pushing northward into the valley floor of the Ticino River.
Biasca, at the junction of the Blenio and Leventina Valleys, marks the entrance to the most alpine part of the trail. The mountains on either side of the valley will make you feel small in the saddle.
Giornico represents another dip into the past: pedaling across its Romanesque bridge puts your wheels on a small island in its historic core, something unique along the Ticino River.
Suddenly, a powerful visual contrast: the highway viaduct of the “Biaschina” (110 meters high, built in the 1980s) rises above your shoulders, a testament to the importance of the Gotthard Axis as one of Europe's busiest trade corridors.
You leave the valley floor to reach Chironico, a village nestled on a plateau: stately homes, wooden houses and cobblestone streets create a peaceful oasis. Here begins the ascent to Gribbio, alpine village inhabitable only in summer and autumn when flower meadows replace the snow.
Worth a short detour on foot are the Piottino Gorge: an old medieval road that climbs to the bottom of a “canyon” carved over thousands of years, surrounded by vertical walls tens of meters high.
At 1,400 meters you will reach Altanca, meadow clearing with old wooden dwellings. Those who wish can detour to the Piora region with the alpine lakes Ritom and Cadagno - surroundings so extraordinary that you are likely to get lost among alpine pastures and unspoiled nature.
La descent towards Airolo is pleasant and fast, preparing you for the last iconic stretch: the Tremola. This road dating back to the early decades of the 1800s features a granite paved surface with 22 hairpin bends - a one-of-a-kind experience to ride on this historic stretch.
The Gotthard Pass is conquered, as well as Ticino Traverso. Looking back, it seems impossible to have gone from a Mediterranean environment to an Alpine setting in such a short time.
Perhaps this is the real magic: having pedaled between different traditions, landscapes and scenery almost without realizing the days that have passed and the miles that have accumulated.
Getting there and back home
Route Start-Chiasso: Easily reached by train from Malpensa airport or Zurich via Tilo regional line, SBB EC and ICN.
End of the route-Gotthard Pass: You can cycle down to Airolo or Altdorf and comfortably return by train south or north.
When cycling
Direction
Ticino Traverso is designed to be ridden from south to north, but it is clearly possible to ride in the opposite direction as well.
Difficulty 7/10
Ticino Traverso is rideable without a predefined number of days: the overall low technical grade allows any person with a cycling base to tackle the route, planning the stages according to their physical condition. Some uphill sections, although short, can be particularly steep.
Weather conditions
In the northern part, the weather can greatly affect it because of the altitude. Always check the weather conditions on this link.
What bicycle
Whatever your means of riding Ticino Traverso (gravel, MTB, touring bike), we recommend very low gears for the steep climbs to be faced and tires at least 40mm wide.
Water and facilities
Telephone reception
Reception
Emergency numbers
- Police: 117
- Ambulance: 144
- Rega (Helicopter): 1414
Bike shop and mechanical support
Along the way you will find many bike shops. In particular, BikePort awaits you at Locarno and to Bellinzona for workshop service and bike rental.
Where to sleep and recharge your energy
Free camping is tolerated only in case of emergency.
Being a tourist area, you will find numerous options:
- Hotels of various categories including Specialized Bike Hotels
- Equipped campsites
- Bed & Breakfast
- Typical Structures (Traditional Rustic Houses)
Tip: Book in advance especially during peak season (July-August).
Find more information on the websites of the Tourist Organizations:
Eating and Drinking
Finding food is very easy: in every town or city you will find supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries.
We highly recommend that you stop at least once at a grotto to eat typical dishes-a culinary experience not to be missed.
See this page to enjoy delicacies from the grotto nearest to where you are along the route.
And of course: trying all the ice cream shops along the way is a must!
Drinking water
The water in all fountains is generally drinkable and of excellent quality.
Bring a water bottle and refill it frequently.
Waste Management
The only tracks tolerated are those of your tires. Always take your waste to the appropriate bins.
Fires and safety
Do not light fires: often in summer, due to drought, there is an absolute ban on lighting fires in forested areas.
Comply with local ordinances.
Protect the environment
Pedal consciously, respect nature and small settlements you will encounter.
Ticino Traverso thrives on mutual respect between cyclists and the land.
The road belongs to everyone
Enjoy the ride and respect all road users: pedestrians always have the right of way and a mutual greeting is always a good thing.
Follow the MTB code and consult the road traffic law.
BikePort is an official partner of Ticino Traverso and allows you to experience the Ticino Traverso adventure in a more carefree way, giving you the opportunity to:
- Accompany you along the entire route with one of our Swiss Cycling Guides.
- Organize your itinerary in predetermined stages according to your physical condition and time available, reserving your preferred accommodations.
- Carrying your luggage to make you ride light.
Contact us to get more information.
