Rancate – Monte San Giorgio (1096m) – Brusino Arsizio
Wonderful medium length hike on the south side of Lake Lugano
This easy hike passes through a charming Tessin village and one of the most important fossil areas in the world up to a wonderful viewpoint over Lake Lugano
This hike starts from Rancate and ends at Brusino Arsizio (Tessin, south Switzerland).
Time of year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tags: Public transport, Suitable for families, Food en-route, Accommodation en-route, Views of mountain lakes, Cute villages, Option to return with ferry, Ice-cream at end of hike, Can be shortened
Rating: 
Hiked by us on: 27th January 2019
We started this hike in Rancate and headed up through the woods to the charming village of Meride.
There is a fossil museum in the village with fossils dating back over 200 millions years ago. Monte San Giorgio is one of the most important fossil deposit in the world, for the Middle Triassic, a geological period which took place between 247 and 237 millions of years ago. So now you know.
We headed out of the village and towards Monte San Giorgio. Again it’s through the woods, but after 1.5 hours the views opened up.
And from the summit there are 360° views – wonderful!
We then headed downhill towards Alpe di Brusino. It’s a little steep at the top so take care – there is a longer gentler downhill if you prefer.
After another hour we were in the beautiful lakeside village of Brusino Arsizio. A perfect place for lunch or a quick drink…
Brusino Arsizio
There are busses which would take you back to the start, or if you are feeling fit, you can walk back to the start. There is another route via Casa Doganale – a 3 hour stroll.
Food, accommodation and/or villages we found on this hike
Meride
(Town)
A lovely Tessin village surrounded by woods and vineyards. A wonderful place to stop for lunch or stay overnight.
Grotto Alpe di Brusino
(Food only)
Historical meeting point on the slopes of Monte San Giorgio and an original old Alp surrounded by centuries-old chestnut trees. Simple, natural and traditional cuisine.
The 5 day forecast in Morcote
Webcams
We could not find any webcams in the area close to this hike.
Need some hiking down-time?
If you need a day off from hiking, below are some of the great things you can do within 30 km from the start of this hike.
Swiss miniature
(9.5 km away)
See the whole of Switzerland in miniature
Travel on lake Lugano
(10.9 km away)
Take a relaxing ferry ride on one of the numerous ferries criss-crossing this wonderful lake
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