Lugano is the largest city in Ticino. In addition to congress and business centres and banks, it is also the city of parks and flowers, which bloom much earlier here than in the north thanks to the mild climate. The historic city centre is traffic-free. The numerous buildings in the Lombard style, the mountain views and the lake invite you to stroll around. The hike via the San Salvatore to Morcote starts in Lugano Paradiso. Past the last reaches of the residential neighbourhood, the trail soon branches off to the left. Following the funicular railway and the vineyards, you hike uphill towards Lugano's local mountain. After about one and a half hours, you reach the first viewpoint on a scenic but steep forest path. The view over the fjord-like course of the lake of Lugano in the direction of Valsolda, Monte Brè or Monte Tamara is worth every bead of sweat. Another twenty minutes and you arrive at the summit. Alternatively, of course, you can also take the funicular.

From the summit, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of lake Lugano, the Lombardy plain and the Swiss alps. As early as 1213, there was a small chapel up here dedicated to St. Salvatore. Soon afterwards, the friars of San Lorenzo expanded the chapel into a small church. In 1703, the archconfraternity decided to tear it down and erect a new building, which was completed in 1718. The next destinations of Ciano and Carona can already be spotted. The descent to Ciano takes only about 30 minutes, Carona is reached after an hour. There you can visit the botanical garden of San Grato: azaleas, rhododendrons and conifers thrive here on 62,000 square metres. In April and May, the flowering bushes form a colourful, fragrant carpet. The paths are dedicated to a variety of themes and invite you to discover the park during the different seasons.

Once past the botanical garden, you soon reach the village of Baslona and then Alpe Vicania. The Trans Swiss Trail claims the roughly one-hour section for itself, sharing the rest of the stage with the Via Gottardo. From Alpe Vicania, the trail continues almost only downhill. You descend about 400 metres in altitude via countless steps. This is definitely the most strenuous part of the stage. The destination is the former fishing village of Morcote, also called the "Pearl of the Ceresio". It is charmingly located on a headland of the lake of Lugano. The shore is lined with picturesque arcaded houses that are reflected in the water.