This hike between Monte San Salvatore and Morcote will make you feel like you have left Switzerland behind and entered the Mediterranean!
It’s located in one of the warmest and sunniest regions of Switzerland, meaning it’s a great escape if the rest of country is a little gloomy weather wise. Perfect for early autumn when you are still wanting to hold onto a little piece of summer.
It takes you along the hills above Lake Lugano, very close to the Italian border, and then you descend down into “the most beautiful village in Switzerland”.
There is a LOT of downhill in this hike, including hundreds of stairs. But if your knees can handle it, it is well worth it for the views.
Overview of the Monte San Salvatore to Morcote Hike
| Location: | Lugano Region, Ticino |
| Difficulty: | Moderate. Very steep and rocky section from San Salvatore. A lot of downhill via steps to Morcote. The middle section is easy and flat. |
| Distance: | 10km |
| Duration: | Allow 3.5 – 4 hours. |
| Elevation: | 232m ascent, 846m descent |
| Starting Point: | Monte San Salvatore |
| End Point: | Morcote |
| Type: | One-way hike |
Summary of the Monte San Salvatore to Morcote Hike
Monte San Salvatore is a mountain peak on the edge of the city of Lugano. From the viewing terrace, it gives incredible panoramic views over the city, Lake Lugano and the surrounding peaks in both Switzerland and Italy. Morcote is a picturesque village nestled onto the edge of Lake Lugano. It was once voted “the most beautiful village in Switzerland” and it is easy to see why!
When these two spots are so beautiful and and romantic, then it only makes sense to join them together with a hike, right?!
How to Get There
You’ll start your day in the city of Lugano, which is located in the south of Switzerland in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. If you are not already staying or living in this region, then it is extremely easy to reach via public transport. The train connections are excellent (from both Italy and Switzerland!) and it only takes 1 hour and 53 minutes on the direct fast train from Zürich.
From Lugano train station you will need to make your way to Lugano-Paradiso, which is where you can catch the funicular up to Monte San Salvatore. To get to Lugano-Paradiso you can either catch the train, take the number 2 bus or walk through the city.
The hike ends in the village of Morcote. From here, you can get back to Lugano either by boat or by bus.
Trail Highlights
The hike from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote is all about the dreamy views. Here are the main ones that you can expect to enjoy:
- Panoramic views from San Salvatore: this mountain peak is a well-known panorama viewing point towering above the city of Lugano. Many people come up here just to enjoy the stunning views in every direction. This means that your journey to Morcote will start on a high note (literally) as you are already greeted with epic 360 views before you even start to hike!
- Parco San Grato: this botanical garden offers beautiful views as well as lots of vibrant plant life. It’s a welcome reward after a tough scramble down through the forests with little views.
- Morcote’s Bell Tower: After you climb down HUNDREDS of steps, this stunning symbol of the village of Morcote will be a very welcome sight! (Trust me!) The bell tower, dating back to 1539, looks magnificent with the lake and mountain backdrop. It makes for the perfect photo opportunity!
- Lake Cruise Views: since this hike ends right on the shores of the lake in Morcote, a boat cruise to get back to Lugano is the perfect opportunity to appreciate all the scenery from a different perspective!
Tickets and Prices for the Funicular and Boat
For this hike you will need:
- A one-way ticket for the funicular from Paradiso to Monte San Salvatore. This ticket costs 25 CHF at full price. You can get a 50% discount with the GA, Half-Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. (Information correct in 2024 – you can find the most up-to-date information here).
- Option 1: one-way boat journey from Morcote to Lugano. This ticket costs 26.60 CHF at full price. It is free and included with the GA and Swiss Travel Pass. You get a 50% discount with the Half-Fare Card. (Information correct in 2024 – you can find the boat timetable here and you can easily buy tickets online here).
- Option 2: one-way bus ticket from Morcote to Lugano. This costs 7.80 CHF at full price. The journey is included with the GA, the Swiss Travel Pass or with a Saver Day Pass. You get a 50% discount with the Half-Fare Card. (Find the current prices and easily buy your ticket online with SBB here).
The Route: Maps and Information
Usually I find the signage on Swiss hikes excellent and very easy to follow. However, on this trail between Monte San Salvatore and Morcote, I did find the signs a little confusing and there seemed some long gaps where we were waiting for the next sign! Make sure to keep looking for “Morcote” and also for the next village or stop on your route (because sometimes the path splits and you could take any of them to Morocote!). It is also a good idea to keep a map on hand or on your phone to ensure you stay on track.
Below I have attached a Google Map to help you plan your hike. I’ve marked on all the key spots, as well as the route we took on our hike.
My Experience of Hiking from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote
We hiked the Monte San Salvatore to Morcote trail in mid-September 2024. It felt like summer was starting to come to an end, and I longed to hold onto it just a little longer! Hikes in the Lugano region are absolutely perfect for this due to the fact it is one of the warmest and sunniest parts of Switzerland. The palm trees and Italian-style architecture definitely add to this summery Mediterranean vibe too!
We got what we were looking for this day, and we left chilly Zürich (where we live) behind in favour for bright blue skies and temperatures of 25 degrees celsius.
Arriving at Monte San Salvatore
After riding the vintage funicular up, it’s a short walk up to the peak and the viewpoints. From the top you can see across to Monte Brè (another famous peak in Lugano), as well as having views over the city, lake and the surrounding mountains of both Switzerland and Italy.
Did you know that Lake Lugano is 63% in Switzerland and 37% in Italy?!
I really recommend heading all the way up to the viewing terrace which is on top of the little chapel there. Here, you will be able to capture the iconic San Salvatore photo! It’s also from this vantage that you will be able to look over the forested hills that you will hike along today.
On this particular visit to do this hike, I actually hardly took any photos of Monte San Salvatore! I guess because I’ve already visited this spot (without doing the hike) on previous Lugano trips. So I was content just to live in the moment, soak in the views and get started with the hike!
I have inserted these photos above from a previous visit (a hazy day in April) so that you can get an idea of what it is like at this spot.
The Decent to the Villages of Ciona and Carona
After basking in the beautiful views for a while, we got started with the first section of the hike from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote. San Salvatore would be a lovely spot for a coffee break or lunch, but we had a long way to go so didn’t have time to linger!
I won’t lie, the first section of this hike was pretty rough! From San Salvatore, the hiking trail descends steeply down through the forest. The path is extremely rocky with lots of roots, so you feel like you are constantly needing to carefully watch your feet to ensure you don’t trip. There were also signs of erosion on the path – I wondered whether this was from all the rain we had this summer.
We had laid our hiking poles out the night before to bring on this hike, and then left them behind in the kitchen! I definitely regretted this during this steep section of the hike, so make sure that you learn from our mistake and remember yours!
Finally, the path evens out. We emerged out of the forest, glad to finally have a glimpse of the views again, and arrived at the villages of Ciona and Carona. These are very pretty villages and you definitely feel that you are in the Italian part of Switzerland when you walk through them!
Up to San Grato Park for Lunch
From Carona, we made our way up to the tranquil botanical garden of Parco San Grato. This place has a relaxing atmosphere and, if you come at the right time of year, is filled with colourful plants.
Although not officially part of the Monte San Salvatore to Morcote hike, I think it’s worth making the detour for. You can just continue straight on to Morcote though if you are in a hurry. We, however, were very ready for a break by this point, and were starting to get hungry. Clambering the stairs in the centre of the botanic garden, we were hoping to find a nice bench with a good view to settle down on for a while.
We were in luck! There, tucked neatly away in the vegetation, was a private and peaceful bench which overlooked Lake Lugano through a gap in the trees. This was the perfect place to refuel ourselves with some lunch and a few cups of coffee before continuing on our way.
It was incredible to look back towards Monte San Salvatore from here and see how far we had already walked!
The Forest Trail and Hundreds of Stairs
Feeling refreshed and reenergised after our break, we set off to continue our hike to Morcote. This next section of the hike was extremely beautiful. It was a flat, easy path leading through a forest which was filled with butterflies and dappled sunlight. I kept trying to snap a photo of the butterflies but they were too quick! Every now and again, the trees would open up into a viewpoint, revealing the incredible blues of the lake below, and the green trees of the opposite peaks.
After around an hours walk, we arrived in an open area which has beautiful views. Here, we found the enchanting looking Ristorante Vicania. We wished that we had time to go in as it was extremely inviting. I’ve since looked it up online and it has excellent reviews, so it is now firmly on my list for next time we are in the area!
The restaurant is also the last point in the hike before the steep climb down to the village of Morcote, so who could blame you for wanting to rest up here beforehand?!
Now, when I say that there were hundreds of steps to descend to reach Morcote, I mean HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of steps. There is not much to say about this section, other than that it seems to last forever! My knees were very unhappy (I have pretty dodgy knees) and I found myself again wishing that we had not forgotten our hiking poles.
Arriving in the Beautiful Village of Morcote
After what seems like a lifetime, you start to get views across Lake Lugano to Italy – yep, the border is through the middle of the lake! Then, the most welcome sight of all; the first glimpse of the village of Morcote in the form of the bell tower of the Santa Maria church.
As we got closer and closer to the beautiful church, I definitely started to feel like all those stairs and my aching legs were worth it for these views!
Once we passed the church, we wandered down (yes, via more stairs!) through the pretty village. In the bright hot afternoon sunshine, we were able to enjoy it in all it’s glory, and it gave of similar vibes to spots we visited on Lake Como in Italy. It was easy to see why Morcote was voted as “the most beautiful village in Switzerland”!
At the Shores of Lake Lugano
The hike from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote ends down at the shores of Lake Lugano. Once you have finished enjoying Morcote, perhaps by getting yourself a drink or an ice cream, you can take either the boat or the bus back to Lugano.
We opted for the bus since it just timed perfectly with when we were ready to leave. However, if it is your first time visiting the Lugano region, I highly recommend taking the boat cruise back. It’s a completely relaxing experience on a sunny day, and you get a different view of the surrounding villages and landscapes from the water.
I’ve taken a boat cruise on the lake on my previous visits to Lugano and always really enjoy it! These photos below are from one back in April 2023.
FAQ about the Hike From Monte San Salvatore to Morcote
What Time of Year is Best?
Because the Lugano region is much warmer compared to the rest of Switzerland, you should be able to do this hike from as early as March and as late as November. The funicular does take a maintenance break in November though, so you would need to also hike up from Paradiso (approx 2 hours). Every year the conditions are different though, so always check the webcams and websites before setting off.
Personally, I recommend the months of September and October for this hike. While the rest of Switzerland will be becoming colder and more autumnal, Lugano holds on to the summer vibe a little longer. This makes it the perfect place to visit for some warmth on an autumn day.
What Facilities are There?
There is a restaurant and bathrooms at Monte San Salvatore that you can use before starting your hike.
On the way, you will find public bathrooms at:
- Paco San Grato
- Morcote
You will find restaurants in the villages of Carona and Morcote, and you will pass Ristorante Vicania on your hike.
What Shall I Bring and Wear?
Remember to always do your own research for a hike and decide for yourself what you should bring – you know your own hiking capabilities best! Personally, this is what I would recommend for this hike:
- Sturdy Hiking Boots: the first section of the hike is steep and rocky so these are must to navigate that.
- Hiking Poles: these will be a big help on the two steep descents.
- Lunch and snacks: if you want to picnic at Parc San Grato like we did, then make sure to pack yourself a tasty lunch! If you prefer to eat at one of the restaurants make sure you plan in advance to ensure they are open at the time you think you will arrive.
- Waterproof jacket: although the weather is often sunny in Lugano, it is best to be prepared!
- Plenty of water: all those stairs are thirsty work! We each have 2-litre water bladders, and also take 2 bottles of either cold isotonic drinks and/or hot coffee.
Where Can I Stay Near This Hike?
Although this hike can be done as a day trip from other parts of Switzerland, you may want to spend the night or longer here to explore more around Lugano. Whether, like me, you live in Switzerland and want a little getaway to this region, or you are visiting and want to include Lugano in part of your longer Switzerland trip, there are plenty of accommodations to choose from.
Staying in the city of Lugano will be your best bet to have easy transport links to get everywhere you want to visit, and there will be plenty of hotel options.
I can also personally recommend:
- This Air BnB in Lugano: it’s simple and affordable but boats the most incredible view from it’s terrace.
- BnB Cà San Matteo: it’s a little outside of Lugano in the countryside, but it’s beautiful and peaceful. Perfect to add a little luxury to your Ticino trip.
Final Thoughts
The hike from Monte San Salvatore to Morcote can be tough with all the downhill, but it is worth it to visit the “most beautiful village in Switzerland” and to enjoy all of the beautiful views over the region. The warmer climate around Lugano makes this a perfect summery hike even when the rest of the country has bad weather. I hope this post was helpful if you are searching for hiking inspiration in Switzerland. Let me know if you do this hike!