Hiking trail · SAC T1
Ticino

Walk from Lugano to Gandria

Duration

1 h 5 min

Distance

4 km

Ascent

80 hm

Descent

80 hm

On the way along the old Olive Path to Gandria

The hike starts in Lugano and initially leads along the shores of Lake Lugano towards Castagnola. The city centre is soon left behind and the landscape becomes quieter. The path offers beautiful views over the lake and the surrounding mountains.

From Castagnola, a particularly charming section follows on the Gandria Path. This sunny trail runs partly directly above the lake and through a landscape with a Mediterranean character. The unique microclimate here ensures an exceptionally diverse flora. Olive trees grow along the path, and the region is considered one of the most botanically interesting areas in Switzerland.

The closer you get to Gandria, the more unspoilt the surroundings become. The path leads past small bays, through shady sections and along old walls. Shortly before the destination, the view opens up to Gandria, which lies picturesquely directly on the lakeshore.

To finish, a stroll through the narrow alleys of the former fishing village is highly recommended. The tightly packed houses and the location right on Lake Lugano make Gandria one of the most beautiful and well-known places in the region. For the return journey to Lugano, you can take the bus or the boat.

Automatically translated from German

Impressions

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Location

Official national map and hiking trail network by swisstopo.

  • Start
  • Finish
  • Route

Elevation profile

Hover or swipe across the chart – the point moves along the map.

Highest point
305 m a.s.l.
Lowest point
272 m a.s.l.
Ascent
77 m
Descent
76 m
Distance
4.1 km
  • flat (< 5%)
  • moderate (5–12%)
  • steep (12–20%)
  • very steep (> 20%)

Refreshments & mountain lifts

Restaurants, mountain huts, kiosks and lift stations within 100 m of the route.

Looking for places to eat – this takes a moment on the first visit.

Data: OpenStreetMap

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Stefan

10 August 2026

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