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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.