To the Southernmost Point in Switzerland: Pedrinato near Chiasso

July 26, 2017 -- After three weeks of hot, dry weather in the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada, with a fair share of smoke-filled days from the massive wildfires in the Cariboo and an additional fire much too close to home, I came back to Switzerland to this:

Before heading back to work we had a free day, and our choice to visit the most southern point in Switzerland was based on both getting away from the rain and on something short and simple to get our hiking legs back in gear (and getting over jet lag). 

We did a little 8-km loop along the Swiss/Italian border starting in the little village of Seseglio South of Chiasso, through some small vineyards but mostly through forests. The "Most Southern Point" (Punto estremo Sud della Svizzera) is hidden in a dense forest along an unusual fence of metal posts which would not keep anyone from crossing the border. And if you ask around, most Swiss people won't even know where this place is....
 

An easy 8-km walk around the vineyards of Pedrinate in the Southernmost part of Switzerland

We got to the village of Seseglio at 11:30, and started with a look at the town's church.

Checking out the menu of the local inn and restaurant. The owner is from Genoa in Italy.

Heading out now to the southernmost geographical point in Switzerland. 

Our walk alternated between vineyards and forests

  

It's always lovely to watch the butterflies

Shortly before reaching the border, this view is across the villages of Italy and back to the Monte Rosa Massif in Switzerland (highest peak of the Swiss Alps)

This unusual fence forms the border between Italy and Switzerland near the Southernmost Point

This unusual fence between Italy and Switzerland will hardly keep anyone out

Urs is walking in Switzerland and I am walking in Italy

This is what it looks like at the southernmost point in Switzerland

Tourist photo at the southernmost point in Switzerland. There's not even a view, it's in the middle of the forest.

Heading back along our loop toward Pedrinate. In the back is a small hill with a church on top, San Stefano, and part of the plan is to go up there for a view North. We didn't walk into the village of Pedrinate, but skirted it on roads to the north. 

 

View North from the vineyards of Pedrinate across Chiasso to Monte Generoso

View North into the Muggio Valley to Monte Generoso

A very zoomed view of the summit of Monte Generoso to the north. 

Closer look into the Muggio Valley

And this view is across the major city of Chiasso, from where the train crosses the border to Como in Italy. You can just make out Lake Como in the back. 

We reached the mountaintop church of San Stefano at shortly after 3 p.m., but it was locked, so we could not see the inside. 

View down to the church in Seseglio, as we head back down there again to catch the bus back to Chiasso. 

What our hike looks like on Google Satellite Maps. 

The most Southern Point of Switzerland is among the vineyards of Pedrinate