The starting point is Bellinzona SBB station, from where you ascend towards Artore and Pian Laghetto. Here, a mule track zigzags through a chestnut and birch forest, leading to the mountains of Artore. Continuing through a splendid beech forest, the path becomes steeper, until it reaches the Motto della Croce. From there, it is recommended to return along the same road to the Artore mountains, from where a path will take you to the Ravecchia mountains.

Descending from there, you pass through the mountains of Ravecchia to reach the ancient village of Prada. this village was composed of over thirty buildings and was part of Bellinzona’s surrounding countryside. In 2016, the Prada Foundation was established to safeguard the hamlet’s precious historical and architectural testimonies from deteriorating and to restore importance and visibility to a unique settlement in Ticino’s pre-alpine landscape.

At this point, you can walk along the path to Pian Laghetto and descend to the station following the same route as the outward journey. Alternatively, from the Prada ruins you can opt to descend to Ravecchia, where a bus will take you back to the station.