Hiking the "Sentiero di Medeglia" for Panoramic Views

April 23, 2017 -- Another trip South to flee the cold and snow to do what has the semblance of an alpine hike: A climb, a longer level stretch with views, a summit above the tree level with 360's and then a descent.

The trail called "Sentiero di Medeglia" near Bellinzona is a lesser known hiking trail in the Ticino in the Isone Valley, and although it delivered on the views, it was otherwise a bit monotonous, with the steep ascent and descent through typical Ticino chestnut forests, and the rest of the "trail" being a high dirt road with a paved section, as the area is used by the military for training purposes, and so they need to get up here with their vehicles. 

The fantastic view at the summit of the Medeglia Peak was worth the effort, although a cold wind was blowing, and to my pleasure the first part of the descent was on a trail such as we would normally find in the Alps. On the way down to Medeglia we passed through one of our favourite mountain hamlets called a Monti. Well, one is better than none!

Total time suggested for this hike is four hours, but we didn't rush through it. We stretched our day to make the most of the sunshine, with a nap at about the half-way point. 

Heading East up the Isone Valley by bus. The mountain we are climbing is on the left side of the valley.

Isone is the training ground for the Swiss Military, Grenadier Division. 

The 12-km hike started in Isone at the back of the valley, then climbed a steady 680m to the Medeglia Peak, and then descended 725m to Medeglia.

After an hour uphill climb we reach the "high road" on the North side of the mountain. Lunch Time!

Despite the views, the trail was mostly a wide dirt road always slightly uphill, westward toward the Medeglia Peak.

Along the entire 5 km on the North side of the hill we had great views into the Leventina Valley....

... and lots of views onto the Magadino Plain, with Locarno at the back on Lake Maggiore

Once in a while there are some splendid birch groves, as an alternative to the chestnut forests.

Last uphill slog before reaching the peak (in total, 680 altitude meters to the peak)

Finally at the summit. Normal time to here was 2 hours 30 minutes, plus another 1:20 to go down to Medeglia

The 360-degree views did not disappoint! Here's looking West.

View to the North (Leventina Valley)

View to the South-East. That distinctive peak is called "Denti della Vecchia" (Old Lady's Teeth) and we walked that ridge a couple of years ago.

View to the South. The second ridge at the back on the left is Monte San Salvatore, which we walked in November 2016.

Heading back down there is a bit of an alpine feel before reaching the thick forests.

This is Troggiano, a hamlet of Rustico homes. We love these "Montis" built on the steep hillsides.

In the hamlet called Troggiano

We saw the first Gentians of the season, and the Narcissus Poeticus is stunning.

Our approach to Medeglia, the end of our tour. The bus stops right in front of the church.

 

The stone walls are even prettier with flowers...

The Wisterias add lots of colour.

 

Waiting for the bus at the Church in Medeglia, to take us back out of the Isone Valley.

I didn't really realize how high we had to hike. No wonder I needed a nap half-way to the peak!