TRENINO ARTÙ
On Wednesday, May 13, the Artù Train will exceptionally depart from Largo Elvezia, opposite UBS.
MapsThe Bellinzona Fortress and its castles
The Bellinzona Fortress and its castles
Bellinzona e Valli Turismo Verified partner
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The Fortress of BellinzonaPhoto: Parisiva, Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
Set off to discover the Bellinzona Fortress with its three castles, walls, and ramparts. With Castel Grande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro, you will take a plunge into the past, when dukes and confederates challenged each other wearing shining armors. Walking along the wall and passing through small carved doors in the rampart, you can discover secret rooms and imagine what life must have been like back then.
This circular route leads to the discovery of the Bellinzona Fortress, included in 2000 in the UNESCO World Heritage list and built by the Dukes of Milan, around the 1400s, to prevent the Swiss Confederates from advancing south. Bellinzona was indeed in a strategic position at the intersection of alpine routes between north and south (Saint Gotthard, Lukmanier, San Bernardino, Novena).
The route starts from Viale Portone and following the rampart you reach Castel Grande with its two towers (Black Tower and White Tower), a historical-artistic museum as well as exhibitions, a panoramic grotto and a restaurant. For the descent, there are two options: by elevator you reach Piazza del Sole and then Piazza Collegiata entering Via Codeborgo, or descending the stairs from Castel Grande which leads to Piazza Collegiata. Climbing up the narrow alley next to the homonymous church you can reach the Montebello Castle located on the hill opposite.
After visiting the middle Castle and its Archaeological Museum, continue on Via Artore for a short stretch of road, then cross a stream and reach Via Piumerino. Climbing a steep staircase you reach the village of Artore. Passing in front of the Church of San Sebastiano, you reach the washhouse and walking along a cobbled path you reach the asphalt road Via alla Predella. Continuing to the right you reach the Grotto dei Pacifici reaching the splendid fortress of Sasso Corbaro. From this height, you enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the Magadino Plain up to Lake Maggiore. From the castle, exiting through a small carved door in the wall, continue the descent towards Montebello Castle. Just before the manor, the mule track on the left returns to the starting point passing through the Historic Center of Bellinzona.
Author’s recommendation
To enjoy the route, we recommend purchasing the official maps from the Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo. Additionally, the website map.geo.admin.ch offers constantly updated data.
Bellinzona e Valli Turismo Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Hotel Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)Marchè Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)
Villa del Gusto (Bike friendly)
Hotel Unione (Bike friendly)
Hotel & SPA Internazionale (Bike friendly)
Camping Bellinzona (Bike friendly)
Capanna Cremorasco (Bike friendly)
Ostello Montebello (Bike friendly)
Hotel La Tureta (Bike friendly)
Safety information
Montagnepulite: This project was created to promote the effective and sustainable management of alpine huts in the Ticino region. In particular, the management of waste. Responsible waste management in the mountains is a matter of common sense. All of us can contribute: www.montagnepulite.ch
Tips and suggestions
Alternative return path: after Sasso Corbaro Castle, follow the asphalt road and at the first fork turn left. Continue walking until you face a series of hairpin bends that lead to the locality of Ravecchia on Via Ospedale. Continue along the street running along the Dragonato stream until the main road, Via Franco Zorzi, and turn right. Walking straightforward and crossing the suggestive historic center of Bellinzona, you will return to Piazza del Sole.
Listen to the podcast: The Bellinzona Fortress and its castles
Funivia Monte Carasso - Curzútt - Mornena
E-Bike charging point - Monte Carasso
Hotel Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)
Castel Grande and the wall
Museo di Castelgrande
Marchè Bellinzona Sud (Bike friendly)
Villa del Gusto (Bike friendly)
Hotel Unione (Bike friendly)
E-Bike charging point - Bellinzona
Castle of Montebello
Archeologia Montebello
Hotel & SPA Internazionale (Bike friendly)
Camping Bellinzona (Bike friendly)
E-Bike charging point - Arbedo-Castione
E-Bike charging point - Lumino
Castle of Sasso Corbaro
Capanna Cremorasco (Bike friendly)
Ostello Montebello (Bike friendly)
BikePort - Guiding, rental & consulting
Hotel La Tureta (Bike friendly)
Chiesa di S. Martino
Villa dei Cedri Museum
Teleferica Camorino - Monti di Croveggia
E-Bike charging point - Giubiasco - FFS
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Parking
Piazza del Sole Parkplace.Coordinates
Equipment
- Trekking boots
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hiking map
- Camera
- Food
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Weather at the starting point
Statistics
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