Mountainbiking
Lugano Bike
Stage 3, Rivera–Miglieglia
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Lugano Bike
Stage 3, Rivera–Miglieglia
Monte Tamaro is one of the great mountain bike classics in Switzerland. To conserve energy, ride the cable car to the summit. This is followed by unpaved roads and single trails amid the forest. More single trails await between Arosio and Miglieglia, in the typical rolling landscape of Malcantone.
The beginning of the day is bittersweet. Bitter for those who tackle the ascent to Alpe Foppa on their own, up the steep road, sweet for the others who take the gondola to ride 1100 meters in altitude. However, for both groups a stop at the chapel designed by Mario Botta is absolutely mandatory. The views from the observation deck across the Magadino Plain with Locarno and Bellinzona, of Sotto Ceneri and Monte Bar, where we were yesterday, are amazing.
But the last part of the ascent is still ahead of us. It is another 330 meters in altitude up a steep, rough gravel road to the radio antenna. Although this would be another excellent place to enjoy the panorama, the focus is now on the single trail. It runs from Capanna Tamaro, first along the northern mountainside, but at the small junction, you take a left onto the single trail, which is initially a bit tricky, but it gets easier as time goes on.
The descent leads to Arosio, primarily on single trails, and then continues up and down through the Malcantone region to Miglieglia. The pretty village at the foot of Monte Lema is where this superb single trail route ends – unquestionably a highlight of the Ticino.
But the last part of the ascent is still ahead of us. It is another 330 meters in altitude up a steep, rough gravel road to the radio antenna. Although this would be another excellent place to enjoy the panorama, the focus is now on the single trail. It runs from Capanna Tamaro, first along the northern mountainside, but at the small junction, you take a left onto the single trail, which is initially a bit tricky, but it gets easier as time goes on.
The descent leads to Arosio, primarily on single trails, and then continues up and down through the Malcantone region to Miglieglia. The pretty village at the foot of Monte Lema is where this superb single trail route ends – unquestionably a highlight of the Ticino.
Monte Tamaro is one of the great mountain bike classics in Switzerland. To conserve energy, ride the cable car to the summit. This is followed by unpaved roads and single trails amid the forest. More single trails await between Arosio and Miglieglia, in the typical rolling landscape of Malcantone.
The beginning of the day is bittersweet. Bitter for those who tackle the ascent to Alpe Foppa on their own, up the steep road, sweet for the others who take the gondola to ride 1100 meters in altitude. However, for both groups a stop at the chapel designed by Mario Botta is absolutely mandatory. The views from the observation deck across the Magadino Plain with Locarno and Bellinzona, of Sotto Ceneri and Monte Bar, where we were yesterday, are amazing.
But the last part of the ascent is still ahead of us. It is another 330 meters in altitude up a steep, rough gravel road to the radio antenna. Although this would be another excellent place to enjoy the panorama, the focus is now on the single trail. It runs from Capanna Tamaro, first along the northern mountainside, but at the small junction, you take a left onto the single trail, which is initially a bit tricky, but it gets easier as time goes on.
The descent leads to Arosio, primarily on single trails, and then continues up and down through the Malcantone region to Miglieglia. The pretty village at the foot of Monte Lema is where this superb single trail route ends – unquestionably a highlight of the Ticino.
But the last part of the ascent is still ahead of us. It is another 330 meters in altitude up a steep, rough gravel road to the radio antenna. Although this would be another excellent place to enjoy the panorama, the focus is now on the single trail. It runs from Capanna Tamaro, first along the northern mountainside, but at the small junction, you take a left onto the single trail, which is initially a bit tricky, but it gets easier as time goes on.
The descent leads to Arosio, primarily on single trails, and then continues up and down through the Malcantone region to Miglieglia. The pretty village at the foot of Monte Lema is where this superb single trail route ends – unquestionably a highlight of the Ticino.
Length
39 km
Roads and trails
Asphalted: 11 km
Natural surface: 28 km
of which Singletrail: 10 km
Natural surface: 28 km
of which Singletrail: 10 km
Ascent | Descent
1950 m | 1700 m
Grade | Fitness level
difficult
|
difficult
Arrival | return travel
Signalization
Signalization
This route is only signposted in one direction: Rivera – Miglieglia
More …
Push-only passage
Rivera – Migleglia approx. 10 min.
559
Ascent Alpe Foppa
Rail, bus, boat recommendation
Rivera–Alpe Foppa
Rivera–Alpe Foppa
Reason: metres in height saved approx. 1050m.
Cycle transport: special ticket required.
SBB Timetable
Cycle transport: special ticket required.
