3 North-South Route
3 North-South Route

Cycling in Switzerland

etappe-01646

North-South Route

Stage 8, Agno–Chiasso

Route report
66 photos

VL_003_08_DSCN1067_R_F_M.jpg
etappe-01646

North-South Route

Lake Lugano is a real dream destination for thousands of holidaymakers from Switzerland and abroad. At Morcote, the kitsch actually becomes magnificent, and there are some lovely camera shots to be had here. The Mendrisiotto, Switzerland's southernmost tip, is home to Ticino's largest wine-growing area.
As usual on beautiful lakes, signs saying "proprietà privata" or "privato" abound on Lake Lugano. Handsome villas line the shore. Most of the public bathing facilities are near bus stops, and there's often just a little space left free. But you can enjoy clear views of the water from Lugano's local peaks: San Salvatore or Monte Brè. Both of them are a "mere" 900 m.a.s.l., but they afford superb views of the Ticino mountains – like sugar loaves – and the scenery around the lake.

Many little boat harbours can be glimpsed as you ride along the shore. Everything is very spick and span. In places like Morcote, the mountains often soar steeply into the sky. But before you ride into this little town, you reach the "Magic Garden" of Parco Scherrer. In 1930, wealthy textile trader Arthur Scherrer bought a plot of land with a 14th-century house which he relocated here from Lugano. With much dedication, he created a fairy-tale world of exotic trees, pavilions, sculptures and much more. Morcote is also a real gem, with its winding lanes, pergolas and a 13th-century pilgrimage church (Santa Maria del Sasso). A stroll is recommended.

Equally quaint – cute, if you like – is the Swiss Miniature Park in Melide, with reproductions of Swiss buildings, monuments and vehicles on a scale of 1:25. The village square at Bissone is named "Piazza Francesco Borromini". This famous architect (1599-1667) was born here, and today he graces the 100-franc note. The main road after Bissone is not always welcoming, especially at peak hours. So why not board the ship (with your bike) for a close-up experience of the lake as you sail to Melano? The next highlight: Capolago-Riva San Vitale, from where the rack railway ascends Monte Generoso (1,701 m.a.s.l.). This is where we finally say farewell to Lake Lugano. The first section of the onward journey through the Mendrisiotto follows the Laveggio river, 11 km long. Then comes a charming if hilly ride through Mendrisio, the region's capital. Elderly gentlemen chat excitedly here, and some play cards. The vine-clad slopes in Ticino's largest wine-growing area are impressive. Things are usually quiet at the "Dogana Ponte Faloppia" customs post, and the ride along the Faloppia stream is relaxing. It's not long before we reach the border town of Chiasso – the end of Switzerland and also the end of North-South Route no. 3.
Lake Lugano is a real dream destination for thousands of holidaymakers from Switzerland and abroad. At Morcote, the kitsch actually becomes magnificent, and there are some lovely camera shots to be had here. The Mendrisiotto, Switzerland's southernmost tip, is home to Ticino's largest wine-growing area.
As usual on beautiful lakes, signs saying "proprietà privata" or "privato" abound on Lake Lugano. Handsome villas line the shore. Most of the public bathing facilities are near bus stops, and there's often just a little space left free. But you can enjoy clear views of the water from Lugano's local peaks: San Salvatore or Monte Brè. Both of them are a "mere" 900 m.a.s.l., but they afford superb views of the Ticino mountains – like sugar loaves – and the scenery around the lake.

Many little boat harbours can be glimpsed as you ride along the shore. Everything is very spick and span. In places like Morcote, the mountains often soar steeply into the sky. But before you ride into this little town, you reach the "Magic Garden" of Parco Scherrer. In 1930, wealthy textile trader Arthur Scherrer bought a plot of land with a 14th-century house which he relocated here from Lugano. With much dedication, he created a fairy-tale world of exotic trees, pavilions, sculptures and much more. Morcote is also a real gem, with its winding lanes, pergolas and a 13th-century pilgrimage church (Santa Maria del Sasso). A stroll is recommended.

Equally quaint – cute, if you like – is the Swiss Miniature Park in Melide, with reproductions of Swiss buildings, monuments and vehicles on a scale of 1:25. The village square at Bissone is named "Piazza Francesco Borromini". This famous architect (1599-1667) was born here, and today he graces the 100-franc note. The main road after Bissone is not always welcoming, especially at peak hours. So why not board the ship (with your bike) for a close-up experience of the lake as you sail to Melano? The next highlight: Capolago-Riva San Vitale, from where the rack railway ascends Monte Generoso (1,701 m.a.s.l.). This is where we finally say farewell to Lake Lugano. The first section of the onward journey through the Mendrisiotto follows the Laveggio river, 11 km long. Then comes a charming if hilly ride through Mendrisio, the region's capital. Elderly gentlemen chat excitedly here, and some play cards. The vine-clad slopes in Ticino's largest wine-growing area are impressive. Things are usually quiet at the "Dogana Ponte Faloppia" customs post, and the ride along the Faloppia stream is relaxing. It's not long before we reach the border town of Chiasso – the end of Switzerland and also the end of North-South Route no. 3.
37 km
Asphalted: 36 km
Natural surface: 1 km
300 m | 340 m
easy

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Agno
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

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Traffic volume
Beware: busy main road Melide–Maroggia

Arrival | return travel

Arrival / return travel Chiasso
SBB Timetable Show stop and route on map

Services

Accommodation

Hotel Vezia
Hotel Vezia
Vezia
Ostello per la Gioventù Lugano
Ostello per la Gioventù Lugano
Lugano-Savosa
Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & Spa
Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & Spa
Cademario
Hotel Pestalozzi Lugano
Hotel Pestalozzi Lugano
Lugano
Albergo Acquarello
Albergo Acquarello
Lugano
TCS Camping Lugano
TCS Camping Lugano
Muzzano
International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel
International au Lac Historic Lakeside Hotel
Lugano
Albergo Delfino
Albergo Delfino
Lugano
Guesthouse Lugano Center
Guesthouse Lugano Center
Lugano
Bigatt Hotel & Restaurant
Bigatt Hotel & Restaurant
Paradiso
Centro Magliaso
Centro Magliaso
Magliaso
Hotel Villa del Sole Garni
Hotel Villa del Sole Garni
Ponte Tresa
Hotel Serpiano
Hotel Serpiano
Serpiano
Dolceresio Lugano Lake B&B
Dolceresio Lugano Lake B&B
Brusino Arsizio
Hotel Campione
Hotel Campione
Bissone
Albergo Svizzero
Albergo Svizzero
Capolago
Ca.Stella
Ca.Stella
Meride
B&B La Crisalide
B&B La Crisalide
Meride
Camping del Monte San Giorgio
Camping del Monte San Giorgio
Meride
Hotel Coronado
Hotel Coronado
Mendrisio
Capanna Caviano (Castel S.Pietro)
Capanna Caviano (Castel S.Pietro)
Castel S. Pietro
Hotel Conca Bella
Hotel Conca Bella
Vacallo
Mövenpick Albergo Touring
Mövenpick Albergo Touring
Chiasso
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Bookable offers

3 North-South Route Basel-Chiasso
3 North-South Route Basel-Chiasso
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Places

Lugano
Lugano
Agno
Agno
Morcote
Morcote
Riva S. Vitale
Riva S. Vitale
Mendrisio
Mendrisio
Chiasso
Chiasso
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Places of interest

The San Grato Botanical Park
The San Grato Botanical Park
San Salvatore
San Salvatore
Monte Generoso
Monte Generoso
Battistero Riva San Vitale
Battistero Riva San Vitale
Historic trail on Monte San Giorgio
Historic trail on Monte San Giorgio
Saurians on Mount San Giorgio
Saurians on Mount San Giorgio
Museo dei Fossili
Museo dei Fossili
Pumptrack Mendrisio
Pumptrack Mendrisio
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Signalization

Signalization
For cycling, follow the logo indicated on the red signposts. Take a printout of our web map on your tour for safety's sake.
Signalization

Travel reports