What happened yesterday is history. This is also true as far as the long ascent to San Lucio is concerned. It is behind us, as we already climbed up to Capanna Pairolo yesterday. We quickly reach the mountain ridge that separates the Ticino from Italy. It is shrouded in magnificent morning light. San Lucio and its chapel have been the subjects of many a photograph over the years, but the small pass is also the starting point for the fantastic single trail leading to Capanna Monte Bar. It flows smoothly as it hugs the steep mountainside and the views down to Lugano keep getting better. The single trail is perfect and was touched up especially for mountain bikers.

The Monte Bar Hut offers the best view on the route, but a side trip on foot to the peak is highly recommended because the panoramic outlook from the round mountain without trees is unparalleled. It is particularly beautiful in a north wind when the snow-covered mountains of the Valais and the Bernese Oberland seem close enough to touch.

From Monte Bar the trail goes downhill in the direction of Monte Ceneri. A last glance toward Lugano near Motto della Croce, and then all you do is concentrate on the single trail down to Gola di Lago. A small road helps to loosen up before the next single trail starts near Monti di Camignolo. The path winds itself through the dense forest down to the valley floor near Rivera. And this is the end of today’s stage with all its stunning sensations.