V.2    Section Lugano - Bellinzona   29 km

Lugano

Tesserete                        5,2 km

Isone                            10,9 km

Bellinzona                      12,9 km

Following yesterdays short hike it really started today. Early in the morning it was not yet as warm as it became later. During the day three longer ascents where to be done today; and then of course down again. In the beginning I walked through the suburbs of Lugano. Then it was up to mountain San Bernardo at 707 m elevation. After crossing several other heights the E1 descents to Tesseret. At the other end of town it was up to well of 1,000 m elevation. Here I met two hikers from Denmark. They where hiking for a while but not the E1. For lunch I had a nice warm soup. Earlier I had passed be a birdhouse. The front could be opened revealing four schnapps glasses and a small bottle of Grappa, a Swiss liquor. Chears!

 

From Isone, which is situated in a hot basin, it was steeply uphill. Before the town I had an ice cream and refilled my water bottles. At the top the trail hits a closed military zone. Here I needed a bit of time until I found the trail passing a military gate. I had to cross an electric cattle fence. From Alpe de Tiglio it was downhill to Bellinzona. This section is made up of endless switch backs and stairs. Must have been quite some work to be build. In many sections it needs some maintenance. Some work was done but must is still outstanding. It was very rocky. It took quite some effort. At the bottom I passed by a cable car to Alpe Croveggia. Following town roads I arrived finally at the hostel. They spoke German even so this part of Switzerland speaks Italian as native language. The shower at the hostel was highly welcome refreshment.

 

E1 with white/red/white marking outside of Luganos

Brook at E1

Trail magic Swiss way. Grappa for drinking was offered.

More water running in this creek

The descent to Bellinzona consists of endless switch backs and rows of steps

View of Bellinzona

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