Monte Generoso walk

Obine – Monte Generoso (1700m) – Muggio – Caneggio – Obine

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An easy path up to Monte Generoso and impressive views from the top make this hike absolutely stunning. As an added bonus it winds its way down through beautiful Italian style villages. And even though it goes up all the way to 1700m, it can be done in any season.

This is a circular hike starting from Castel San Pietro in Tessin (south Switzerland).

Time
8.5 hours
Distance
25.9 km
Difficulty
3
Ascent
1520 m
Descent
1520 m
Highest elevation
1700 m
Lowest elevation
428 m

Time of year: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

Tags: Circular hike, Public transport, Mountain transport, Food en-route, Accommodation en-route, Views of mountain lakes, Cute villages, Ice-cream at end of hike, Can be shortened

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Hiked by us on: 10th February 2018

Another grey and rainy weekend in the North sees us getting up very early (too early really) and drive down to the Italian part of Switzerland – Tessin in the south. We are hoping for a bit of sunshine and a lovely long hike up Monte Generoso.

We start walking from Obine, near Castel San Pietro, just after 9am. It is still quite cool but since it’s uphill, we warm up very quickly. The way up starts on a lovely cobbled road through the sunny woods. And since the road is wide enough, it allows for a nice chat while making our way up.

Walking up to Monte Generoso on a cobbled street
Walking up to Monte Generoso on a cobbled street

After about an hour we reach the Refugio Alpe Caviano where we have the first view of the Monte Rosa mountains on the horizon.

Alpe Caviano on the way up
Alpe Caviano on the way up

The way gently wind its way further upwards, until suddenly we round a corner and get a view across the valley to the north. We soon reach the little farm of Dosso de’ll Ora and further on the Osteria La Peonia. From here it is only a short walk to the Bella Vista rack railway station which keeps what it’s name promises and offers beautiful views of the mountains.

View from Bella Vista Railway station
View from Bella Vista Railway station

In the summer it is possible to shorten the hike by 2-3h by taken the train up. A bus would then bring you back from Castel San Pietro to Mendriso.

From the railway station the path gets a bit steeper. But only for about half a kilometre before it levels off again. It’s now an easy walk above the valley with fantastic views. Soon we find a bench which invites for a break to really get a good look at the mountains all around.

Walking above the valley on the way up to Monte Generoso
Walking above the valley on the way up to Monte Generoso

Walking on we turn the next corner and see the top station of the Monte Generoso rack railway station ahead. It’s another 30 minutes of walking to reach the station but we don’t stop there.

Just a little further up and we stand on the top of Monte Generoso. The views from up here are amazing! You see mountains all around, Lake Lugano directly below and on a clear day even Dufourspitze, the highest mountain of Switzerland, in the distance. And if you look closely, you will even get a glimpse of Matterhorn.

The amazing view from the top, Lake Lugano below and the Monte Rosa range in the distance
The amazing view from the top, Lake Lugano below and the Monte Rosa range in the distance

We take out time marvelling at the views at the top. But at some point we have to move on as there is still a long way ahead of us. We make our way down the wide ridge along the Swiss-Italian border and then turn towards Muggio.

Starting the way down towars Muggio
Starting the way down towars Muggio

The walk down this ridge makes this walk medium difficulty rather than easy. The path is a bit steeper on this section. Sureness of foot is needed on the way down the grassy slopes. Half way down the ridge we get to a small huddle of old cottages which have a museum sign on them. They also show traces of being a sheep shed in the summer.

A little hamlet of old sheds on the way down
A little hamlet of old sheds on the way down

Further down the valley we cross the Breggia stream and then walk into Muggio. Walking down the valley we get to visit a number of little villages. Besides Muggio there is Cabbio, Bruzella and Caneggio. The walking path would just lead past these villages but they are well worth a detour. Do be sure to walk up to each of them and have a short look around. They are rather cute.

Looking back at Bruzella while the sun is slowly setting
Looking back at Bruzella while the sun is slowly setting

At the end of the valley we pass through Morbio Superiore with it’s cobbled little streets. Then we cross the Breggia stream again, back into Obine. And since it’s the winter and the days are shorter, we arrive just at the last bit of daylight. It was a beautiful full days walk.

The last daylight as we arrive back in Castel San Pietro
The last daylight as we arrive back in Castel San Pietro

 

Please wait a moment while we get the maps!
Rifugio Alpe Caviano

Rifugio Alpe Caviano

(Food and accommodation)

After the hospice of the Gran San Bernardo Pass, it is the most southern alpine refuge in Switzerland. From here the view ranges between the metropolis of Milan, the Duomo and the high buildings of the center are clearly visible, passing through the Po Valley, the Monviso bordering France and the entire Monte Rosa group.

Osteria con alloggio La Peonia

Osteria con alloggio La Peonia

(Food and accommodation)

Small and charming place for a bite to eat or to stay overnight.

Monte Generoso

Monte Generoso

(Food only)

Standing majestically on the mountain’s rugged plateau is the new “Fiore di pietra“.

Muggio

Muggio

(Town)

One of a series of Swiss / Italian towns with food and accommodation possibilities.

Cabbio

Cabbio

(Town)

One of a series of Swiss / Italian towns with food and accommodation possibilities.

We could not find any webcams in the area close to this hike.

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

Swiss miniature

(11.2 km away)

See the whole of Switzerland in miniature

Travel on lake Lugano

Travel on lake Lugano

(12.0 km away)

Take a relaxing ferry ride on one of the numerous ferries criss-crossing this wonderful lake

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