In the past, people who loved active holidays focussed in particular on going for mountain hikes and cycling tours, but now, there is more and more on offer to suit a wide variety of target audiences. Each of Ticino's regions meets people's expectations, from mountaineering enthusiasts to families looking for pleasant moments in nature. Let's look at some new ideas and suggestions that are particularly popular at the moment.
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Sun trekking: an alpine adventure 

Trekking through enchanting alpine scenery, at the foot of some of the highest peaks and glaciers in Ticino: perfect for those who love the wide-open space of the mountains. This wonderful, high-altitude crossing is named after Blenio Valley, known as the ‘Valley of the Sun’. Far from civilisation, this trek opens up a new world full of fresh air and alpine lakes, valleys imbued with wild flowers, and impressive peaks. The route is well signposted and there are plenty of alpine huts along the journey. It can be completed in six stages, making it ideal for hikers. The journey begins in Malvaglia. You then climb up to Dagro, cross an enchanting terrace and follow the path to the Capanna Quarnei.  

On the second stage, from Quarnei, you follow a route that zigzags its way to the Cadabi lake and the Adula Glacier, before descending to the Capanne Adula UTOE or CAS, offering spectacular views of the glacier. The third stage leads along the Carassino Valley to the Luzzone dam and then to the Capanna Motterascio, a perfect resting place to enjoy the serenity of the mountains around you. Starting from the Capanna Motterascio on the fourth stage, you travel to the Greina Pass, a protected alpine tundra with unparalleled views. From here, you descend to the Capanna Scaletta, immersing yourself in a landscape of rare beauty. The fifth stage leads up to Pian Geirett. From there, you climb to the Ufiern Pass and finally to the Capanna Bovarina, where you can explore all kinds of alpine ecosystems. On the last stage, you ascend from Bovarina to the Gana Negra. From there, you descend to the Santa Maria dam, where this unforgettable adventure discovering alpine huts and extraordinary scenery comes to an end.
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Basòdino Glacier Trail: a journey through the history of the Ticino Alps

The Basòdino Glacier Trail is an exciting way to explore the Ticino Alps, allowing visitors to discover a landscape sculpted by glaciers. The hike starts at Robièi, accessible by cable car, with breathtaking views stretching out before you. You can buy a brochure detailing the eight information points along the route, which begins on a paved road leading to the dam at Lake Zött. From here, a steep ascent leads to Pizzo Pecora, offering a spectacular view of the Bavona Valley. Once covered by glaciers, this area is now characterised by its young and sparse flora. From the moraine, the trail descends to green pastures, but the terrain can be slippery, so be careful. To experience the area for longer, you can stay overnight at the mountain hotel or at Capanna Basòdino.

You can also buy Vallemaggia cheese, produced in the alpine dairy. Glaciers are striking and are fundamental to the alpine ecosystem, but they are also in decline due to climate change. The Basòdino Glacier, monitored by the Cantonal Forestry Department and GLAMOS, is providing a record of this transformation year after year. Professionals, such as Giovanni Kappenberger and Mattia Soldati, are studying these changes, revealing an ever-changing landscape.
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Monte Lema is enriched with a new educational trail

The Tamaro-Lema crossing is one of our region’s most famous hikes. With a moderate altitude and a broad panorama encompassing the Insubria area, including Ticino, Lombardy, Piedmont and Valais, this crossing offers the opportunity to explore both Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema. Both peaks can be reached by cable car. This year, the one on Monte Tamaro will close at the end of August, unlike in most years.  On Monte Lema, an educational trail opened on 25 May, offering the perfect educational experience for families.

This immersive route combines nature and learning across several stages, each offering a different theme. One of these stages is dedicated to butterflies, explaining their life cycle and their importance for the ecosystem. Other sections of the trail allow you to explore the tracks of local animals and learn about how they behave. One segment of the trail focuses on the effect of the wind and its impact on trees, also providing an educational experience about the forces of nature. Panoramic benches and picnic areas along the route provide the ideal place for enjoying the surrounding landscape. Incredibly, this educational trail is home to 50 species of tree, each adorned with signs describing them and their features. This provides even greater knowledge of the local flora, making the trail not only a pleasant hike, but also an opportunity to learn.
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A journey through time and nature on Monte Generoso: explore the Bear's Cave and enjoy a hiking experience with Eurotrek

The Bear's Cave, which reopened on 22 May, is located on Monte Generoso and is accessible on foot from nearby trails. This cave was opened to the public in 1999 and houses numerous artefacts from the cave bears that became extinct some 20,000 years ago. The visit includes looking at bear bones, discovering the work of researchers and finding out more from the signs with information in Italian and German. There is also an interactive guide and augmented reality offering for the Bear Cave, providing a more immersive experience. If the weather is bad, reservations will be refunded. 
Alongside this fascinating attraction, Monte Generoso also offers a unique opportunity for hiking enthusiasts, thanks to Eurotrek’s product. Starting from Scudellate in the upper Muggio Valley, part of the walk crosses over the Italian border, with a magnificent view of the surrounding lakes. The itinerary begins when you arrive at Monte Generoso and descend to Scudellate (13 km, 3.5 hours). The second day includes a circular hike in the Muggio Valley (10 km, 4 hours). On the third day, you walk from Scudellate to Vacallo (20 km, 6 hours). Finally, you spend the fourth day travelling from Vacallo to Chiasso (12 km, 3.5 hours). The Muggio Valley is one of the most picturesque valleys in Switzerland with its small villages, plentiful sheep and goats grazing on the undulating green slopes, and its unique agricultural history and flora. Online bookings can be made through Eurotrek, the specialist in active holidays in Switzerland and Europe.
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