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Giro del ponte tibetano (SwitzerlandMobility 628)

Hiking Trail recommended route

Giro del ponte tibetano (SwitzerlandMobility 628)

Hiking Trail · Bellinzona and Valleys
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  • Tibetan Bridge Carasc
    Tibetan Bridge Carasc
    Photo: Remy Steinegger, Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
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    Please note that the Tibetan Bridge is closed for maintenance work from 17.03 to 04.04.2025.

    In an area overlooking the Magadino Plain, this hillside hike offers several interesting stops. The route passes through vineyards and wineries which produce some of the best Merlot in Ticino.

    moderate
    Distance 9.1 km
    3:30 h
    617 m
    617 m
    784 m
    240 m

    A particular point of interest is the Tibetan Bridge Carasc connecting the hills of Monte Carasso and Sementina. This strikingly scenic bridge is 270 metres long and is suspended 130 metres above the valley floor. Crossing it is made easy and safe by a walkway of larch planks, wire mesh at the sides and a handrail along the entire length.

    The route starts from the Monte Carasso - Mornera cable car station. Walk along the cantonal road for 5-10 minutes and cross over the river that separates Monte Carasso from Sementina. Then turn right onto Via alla Serta, and follow the trail towards San Defendente (about an hour and a quarter hike). From San Defendente, the trail continues for approximately 40 minutes before reaching the Tibetan Bridge.

    After crossing the majestic Tibetan Bridge, it takes 35 minutes to reach the small Romanesque church of San Bernardo which is rich with frescoes. Its origins date back to the late 11th century with an architecturally simple interior, but one rich with frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries covering practically all the walls. Particularly intriguing is the painting of the Last Supper in which the artist depicts local produce such as fresh-water crayfish and cherries on the table.

    Only a short walk away, discover the beautiful hamlet of Curzútt, with its stone buildings, vegetable gardens and terraces cultivated with grapevines, which has been magnificently restored in recent years by the Curzútt - San Barnárd Foundation. The project did not aim to create an open-air museum, but rather a living centre that today also houses a hostel and an excellent restaurant. Several buildings, dry stone walls and the ancient mule track have been restored, and a lovely children’s playground has been created.

    To return to the starting point, the hike down from Curzútt takes about 35 minutes. Alternatively, take the cable car down. During the high season, it is recommended to book cable car tickets through the website www.mornera.ch.

    Author’s recommendation

    We advise you to leave your car at the public car park in Via Tatti in Bellinzona and take the Bus Line 2 or continue on foot for about 15 minutes until the departure of the Cablecar. Those arriving by train can take the same bus directly from Bellinzona's SBB station. For more details please consult the parking map. There is also a shuttle bus service. 

    Book your cable car here: www.mornera.ch

    Profile picture of Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Author
    Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
    Update: March 18, 2025
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    784 m
    Lowest point
    240 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 13.96%Forested/wild trail 5.10%Path 73.69%Road 7.23%
    Asphalt
    1.3 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.5 km
    Path
    6.7 km
    Road
    0.7 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Hotel Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)
    Capanna Cremorasco (Bike friendly)
    Hotel La Tureta (Bike friendly)
    Hotel La Perla (Bike friendly)
    Marchè Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)
    Ostello Montebello (Bike friendly)
    Hotel Unione (Bike friendly)
    Villa del Gusto (Bike friendly)
    Hotel & SPA Internazionale (Bike friendly)

    Safety information

    For winter walks, follow the logo indicated on the green signposts: Giro del ponte tibetano / 628

    To explore the route, we recommend buying the official maps of the Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo. In addition, the following website map.geo.admin.ch offers constantly updated data.

    Tips and suggestions

     

    Montagnepulite: This project was born to promote an effective management and sustainable use of mountain huts in Ticino, and in particular the litter management. The responsible management of litter in the mountains is a matter of common sense. We can all contribute: https://www.montagnepulite.ch/en/golden-rules

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'720'389E 1'116'474N
    DD
    46.188964, 8.998056
    DMS
    46°11'20.3"N 8°59'53.0"E
    UTM
    32T 499849 5115043
    w3w 
    ///limes.mothering.crusaders
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    •  Hiking boots
    • Sun cap
    • Water-bottle
    • Sunglasses
    • Sun cream
    • Hiking map
    • Camera
    • Food

    Similar routes nearby

    • Monte Carasso - Church San Bernardo - Curzútt
    • Monte Carasso - Mornera
    • The Fortress of Bellinzona and its castles
    • Stunning Architecture
    • Via della pietra - Living with the stone
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    9.1 km
    Duration
    3:30 h
    Ascent
    617 m
    Descent
    617 m
    Highest point
    784 m
    Lowest point
    240 m
    Public-transport-friendly Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Cableway ascent/descent Insider tip

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