Forest Reserve "Valle della Motta" from Mendrisio, ending in Chiasso

Saturday March 28th, 2026 -- As Urs was now available as a walking partner, and more snow and very low temperatures in the north, we gave it another try with a trip south, this time being assured the warm temperatures WITHOUT the cold winds! (see also my yesterday's journey to the south, photos HERE) .

We chose an easy 10-km walk on trails we had not done before, in the very southernmost part of the country near the border with Italy, walking from Mendrisio to Chiasso along National Trail no.7: "Via Gottardo" (a total 330-km trail across Switzerland from Basel to Chiasso) via the lovely forest reserve of Valle della Motta, and then along the base of the a small hill where the southernmost point of the the country is located, a site we visited on a walk in July of 2017.

As it turns out, there must have been some bad storms recently, as there were many downed trees in the park, some rather difficult to climb over. But generally, we followed a lovely winding trail following the Roncaglia River, in a park where the trees were just starting to get their spring greenery. In all, it was a generally uneventful Sunday afternoon walk, and best of all, even though this is in the very south of Switzerland (we even touched on the Italian border), only a two-hour trip each way for us. 

After a snowy landscape north of the Alps, the train emerges from the Gotthard Base Tunnel to sunshine and greening landscapes. Straight ahead at the entrance to the Blenio Valley (we have been often), the snow is gone in the mountain village of Dagro, which we can access via cable car, and hope to do another hike there again soon.

Our train passes via Bellinzona, with its impressive castle "Castel Grande" right in the center of the city. (One of three castles which form one of Switzerland's UNESCO World Heritage Sites).

To save us about 15 minutes of walking through the city of Mendrisio (along a busy road), we caught a bus at the train station for the short ride to the start of the hike into the Forest Reserve "Valle della Motta". The river we were following (Roncaglia) has its source right about here. We started here at 10:45, after just over two hours of travel time from home. 

This was an easy 10-km walk for us. Starting at 10:45 in Mendrisio, we passed through the Forest Reservoir "Valle della Motta" (in the blue circle), then headed right onto the Italian border, before continuing on to Chiasso. There we caught the 14:34 train back home. About two hours of travel time each direction. 

The hike started in the first of several little "valleys", this one simply called "Valetta". There were many such little bridges to cross. 

A lovely park in the middle of a predominantly "citified" region.

The trail crosses under the railway line here, the line between Mendrisio and Chiasso. 

Description of the Valle della Motta Forest Reserve, 34 hectares. 

Now officially in the Reserve Park "Valle della Motta", we are more than surprised at this downed tree directly on the bridge, making passage difficult. The storm that brought this tree down must have happened recently, as surely they would have cleaned this out by now. Luckily, the bridge was not damaged. 

Struggling our way across the downed tree on the bridge. We have done this kind of "climbing" often, but this was one of the most difficult. 

Another large tree lies across the trail next to the bridge. 

After successfully navigating the downed trees across the path, we continued on along the river toward the old mill. 

Near the old mill (Mulino del Daniello) we found a perfect spot for our picnic lunch at 11:30

There was the smallest of waterfalls here next to the picnic area. 

The trail then continues past the old mill, where a private event was taking place (Lots of grilling... it sure smelled good!)

Just a couple of cows in the pasture, observing us very carefully because there was a little one there. 

Details of the old mill. Along the way through the park there were information placards, such as this one concerning the history of the mill. This old mill called "Mulino del Daniello" was built in 1801. 

After a short section on a paved road, the dirt path continues along the river. 

This looks so pretty, a thick carpet of bear garlic covering the forest floor, and it sure smelled good!

Now starts that time of year when we see cows out in the pastures! (So far in the south, anyway). 

In all, the trail through the Valle della Motta is three kilometers long. 

There were lots of bridges to cross!

Then we came across another section with trees across the trail. These were a little easier to cross!

All along the trail are information panels with topics such as Vegetation, Reptiles, Birds, Geology. Near here on the east side of the park you can take a detour to an excavation where they have found prehistoric fossils. We did not make the detour this time, as we had done a short section of this trail once before in February 2023. 

This trail through the Valle della Motta is also part of the National Trail no.7, a 330-km themed trail across Switzerland from Basel to Chiasso, of which we have done many sections to date. 

At the entrance of the park is a map and description. 

The following section toward the Italian border—still along the Via Gottardo Trail—was a long stretch along an industrial district. 

We are now headed toward that hill, where we will walk along the northern flank, about 70 meters higher than the valley bottom. On the other side of the hill is the southernmost point in the country. And at the top of the hill is a church building which we walked up to on our hike to that southernmost point in July of 2017. 

This is the final stretch of the Via Gottardo Trail, ending in Chiasso. On this day we did not go into the old town of Mendrisio, as we discovered that on a hike we did in March 2019. Also, even though we did a hike to the southernmost part of the country in July 2017, we did not follow the Via Gottardo trail at the time. 

The freshly greening willow trees are the prettiest right now. 

Not a particularly interesting photo, except that we are now standing exactly on the border with Italy. i.e. the river is in Switzerland, but everything on the other side of the fence is in Italy. This is looking directly east.

There is Urs in the mirror! That building is in Italy, and on the other side is the customs building where you cross into Italy. At this point you could say we are standing SOUTH of Italy. 

Finally, a blossoming tree. (From here, going uphill, we have left the Via Gottardo Trail again.) 

It is about this level where we continued our walk towards Chiasso. To the north now we can see all the vineyards of the lower Mendrisiotto region. The mountain at the back is Monte San Giorgio, another of Switzerland's UNESCO Heritage Sites, and a summit we once climbed to in March of 2023.

It turns out there were a few wooded sculptures along this trail as well!

Now a view over the very large cargo railway station in Chiasso, and across the city to the mountain village of Sagno. The forested hillside to the right is in Italy—leading down to Lake Como—as is the highest peak above Sagno, called Monte Bisbino. 

Close-up view of the mountain village of Sagno on the opposite side of Chiasso. The summit with the large church is in Italy (Monte Bisbino), and we hiked from Sagno to that summit in August 2023. 

A pleasant Sunday afternoon walk on the hillside above the city of Chiasso in the very southern part of Switzerland. 

This old wooden bridge across a small ravine was the most exciting part of our walk!

Another wooden sculpture, just before our final descent to the train station at Chiasso. 

Final stretch to the train station in Chiasso. It was now 14:27 and we really wanted to catch the 14:34 train. It was still a detour to get the train station, and we were just headed up the stairs as the clock turne 14:34, but they hadn't locked the train doors yet, so we just made it. As this is the border train station and the police are very vigilant here, the urban train often leaves with a couple of minutes' delay. 

What our hike from Mendrisio to Chiasso looks like on Google Satellite Maps. This is the very southernmost part of Switzerland and very near the border of Italy. (In fact, at one point we were right at the border). From here the train crosses the border from Chiasso to Como. 

These are all the hikes we have done in the southernmost part of Switzerland. This region is called the Mendrisiotto, and is actually a large wine-producing region.  

Location of Mendrisio and Chiasso in Switzerland. This is the southernmost part of Switzerland. 

This is what it still looks like north of the Gotthard tunnel (This is a photo of the Fronalpstock peak in Canton Schwyz near Brunnen, in the morning on our way down). 

Short Visit to Locarno's Camellia Gardens (Celebrating 100-year Jubilee)

Friday March 27, 2026 -- As we had a massif cold front come in on Wednesday afternoon (March 25th) with negative temperatures at night and even snow down to lake levels here on Lake Zug and Lake Lucerne, it seemed a good idea to go looking for warmth and sunshine in Canton Ticino once again, with weather forecasts of 15 degrees and higher. 

Back in December 2024 we walked from Ascona to Locarno around the Maggia Delta and discovered a lovely park called the Camellia Park which features hundreds of different varieties of Camellia bushes, some of which still had a few flowers. As the height of the flowering was taking place in March of this year (plus there was a special exhibition there from March 18-22 celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Camellia Park), I thought this would be a nice place to go, to sit on a bench in the gardens or at the lake, enjoy the sunshine for a couple of hours before simply heading into the cold north again.

BUT I forgot to check the wind report, and once I got to Bellinzona, I was surprised at the cold winds blowing (turns out about 30 km/hr). It was quite uncomfortable, even in the park, and besides that the flowers had either suffered frost damage or were at the end of their bloom, and it was not as impressive as I had hoped. So I didn't stay long. A walk through the park and short time on a bench for lunch, and then I walked the four kilometers back to the Locarno train station along the lakeshore and headed right back home again, after only two hours "in the sun" there. (Total travel time was five hours there and back). Had I checked about the wind, I would not have gone..... especially as we were planning for a hike in this region the next day.

Heading south by train toward Canton Ticino, it is difficult to believe that only two weeks ago we did a lovely spring hike here at the Sägel Moor on Lake Lauerz!

I got to Bellinzona at 11:45 and would have had to transfer to this train to Locarno, but it looked like everyone on my full train from Lucerne had the same idea! There was a bus leaving in 15 minutes, so I took that instead, and got to my destination 30 minutes later than planned. 

Passing by Lago Maggiore on the bus to Locarno, a 50-minute ride but with only 6 people in the bus!

I got to the Camellia Park at 1 p.m. (Parco delle Camelie). I had planned to sit on a bench here in the park or at the lakeshore for a couple of hours, enjoying the sunshine. But there was a strong wind blowing, so there was no point in staying too long. 

There were a few nicely-blossoming bushes, but most of the flowers looked damaged, either from frost or maybe I was already a bit too late. 

The flower park is right next to the lakeshore at Lago Maggiore, so I checked there first for a possible bench to sit and have my picnic lunch, but it was even windier here! Looks like those people are doing a photo shoot!

Those kids seem to be having a good time playing in the sand at the "beach", and the wind doesn't seem to bother them!

VIDEO:

The kids don't seem to mind the strong cold winds!

I found a bench across from this pond in the center of the park, but I didn't stay long as it was partly in the shade and cold. It was also in a "high-traffic" area with lots of people walking past. 

A pavilion next to the large pond gives information about the history of this park in Locarno. It was 100 years ago that the city held the first Camellia Festival, and the Camellia became Locarno's official flower.

The other side of the pond from where I sat to eat my lunch.

I went for another stroll around the park, and found some of the bushes still flowering nicely.

I was actually looking for a better bench more in the sun and away from the other visitors (a tour bus full had shown up) and found that one over there, next to the three ducks.

Another walk to the lakeside before finding my way out of the park. The wind is so strong that the branches on the willow trees are almost horizontal!

After spending just over an hour in the "Parco delle Camelie", I headed back toward the train station, trying to follow a route we had not done before. I walked through the next park called "Parco della Pace" (Park of Peace), and followed the lakeshore through the grounds of the public swimming area (which is open to pedestrians from November to March), through a small wooded park, and to the center of the main street in Locarno. It was a short, 4-km walk, and I caught the train at 15:15 for the two-hour trip home.

A small bay between the "Parco delle Camelie" and "Parco della Pace". 

Now I am walking along the lakeshore through another park called "Parco della Pace" (Park of Peace) 

The wind was whipping the water over the wall!

This next section of lakeshore actually belongs to the public pool and paid lake access (Lido) and is usually off-limits, but open to pedestrians between November and March, so I was happy that it was currently open and I could walk along the shoreline and sandy beach. 

I did enjoy watching the waves crashing! It doesn't usually look like this.

VIDEO:

The wind is strong and is whipping up waves on Lago Maggiore.

This view is from the lakefront at the Lido 

(You can only walk through here from November to March).

View across the lake to Monte Gambarogno and Monte Tamaro

I thought the reflection of the mountains looked impressive on the windows of the lido buildings.

Sandy beach here! But you have to pay an entrance fee in summer to enjoy this beach!

You can see how strong the wind is!

I then walked through a small forest called Bosco Isolino, which ended here at a park-like minigolf site.

There was a huge roundabout with a large fountain. This is called Fontana Pedrazzini.

The sun on the tops of these palm trees looks interesting. 

Looking back at the Fontana Pedrazzini with Monte Gambarogno in the background. The palms that look like pineapples are called Canary Island Date Palms. They definitely give the site a Mediterranean flair! 

It is unfortunate that this beautiful building has fallen into disrepair. That is an olive tree in front of the building.

What a beautiful tree! An Internet photo search indicates this might be called a "Cedar of Lebanon". 

I didn't really need to go to the Camellia Gardens, as there were other just as beautiful bushes in the middle of the city!

This is my favourite photo: All the flowers which have fallen off the Camellia bush.

A look into the main square (Piazza Grande) of the old part of Locarno city. It is where the Locarno Film Festival takes place every year. This is "is the most significant cinematographic event in Switzerland and among the most important in Europe."

I then headed toward the lake again through the park called "Giardini Rusca". Those stacks of blocks along the path are bronzed hand-prints from "famous" musicians who have visited Locarno. This path is called the "Walk of Fame". The music festival "Moon & Stars" also takes place at the Piazza Grande.

Here in this park was a grandiose Rhododendron Tree.

Back down at the lake now, this site is called Debarcadero, where the cruise ships on the lake dock. (Side note: I took friends on a cruise here on Lago Maggiore last fall, and we also docked here. These are the photos --> HERE)

The Canton flags at Debarcadero are flying hard today!

VIDEO:

A video shows much better how strong the winds are!

A quick walk along the lake promenade before heading to the train station. (This part of the city is called Muralto). This is a monument in honour of Giuseppe Cattori, who "served as Brigadier General during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71), where he led Swiss troops stationed at the French-German border". He was born 1836 in Lugano, somewhat south of here. 

A final look south across the lake before heading to the train station. 

Right next to the train station is this church called "Chiesa di San Vittore". For all the hundreds of times we have been in various church buildings in Canton Ticino, I am embarassed to say I have never been in this one!

At 15:08 the train to Bellinzona pulls in. (Leaving at 15:15 for the two-hour trip back home). 

What my 4-km walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps. I travelled three hours to get to the Camellia Gardens, and spent only two hours here in Locarno before heading back home (a two-hour trip). Not really worth it, even if the weather in the north is depressing. 

When we walked around the Maggia Delta in December 2024, (pale pink line), we had made a foray into the Camellia Gardens, but then headed straight along the main road to the train station. This time I tried to find paths we had not walked before!

These are all the hikes we have done to date around the region of Locarno, Ascona and the Maggia Delta. 

The lovely hills on the north side of the Magadino Plain as the train makes its way from Locarno to Bellinzona. This area gets lots of sunshine and is great for growing grapes. There are several vineyards along the hillsides. We have walked there often in winter. 

And now, passing Lake Lauerz once again on the way to the Arth-Goldau train station. It looks just as bleak and uninviting as it did earler in the day on my way south. 

Location of Locarno within Switzerland