Olive Groves and Palm Trees on Lake Lugano

January 21, 2018 --  To escape the waterlogged North we headed South once again, but to our surprise it had snowed at least 10 cm all throughout our "Mediterranean"! Our excursion that started in the town of Brè was almost ruined for me by the bitter cold strong wind blowing and what looked like perhaps too much snow on the trail for our planned descent down to lake level, to Gandria, a village of tightly-packed mediterranean-style houses with narrow alley-ways terraced onto the steep hillside on Lake Lugano.

But the snow melted quickly with the sun, and as we descended the trail turned muddy, then dry, though by lake level the wind was so strong I was worried about our planned walk along the lake back to Lugano.

Worries were unfounded, though, as we discovered a most wonderful trail called "The Olive Trail", a tree-lined and thus wind-protected, cobblestone-paved trail which wound its way along the coast past SO many olive groves (I did not know we had this many olive trees in Switzerland!) and past huge cactuses, and villas landscaped with lush palm trees.... it reminded me so much of the popular Cinque Terre trail and if it hadn't been for the mountains across the water, we could have been on the Mediterranean. In all, a hike I ended up quite enjoying....

South of the Alps, lots of snow on the mountain tops and down to the valley bottoms, not so common here (This is Monte Tamaro)

Some shots of Lugano buildings while waiting for the bus to Brè

A little disappointed at the snow and bitter cold wind in Brè, the start of our excursion.

This is the hillside we want to descend, but here the snow looks daunting. The actual trail was passable though, getting drier as we descended. This is Monte Brè.

As we descended, the trail got slightly drier, and the snow disappeared.

Arriving in Gandria on Lake Lugano

One of many narrow alleys in the tiny town of Gandria, built on a steep hillside

Down at the lakeside, this view is to the East to Italy. This is very near the italian border.

It was VERY windy, I would not have wanted to be on a boat on the lake this day.

Looking westward to Monte San Salvatore near Lugano

First new flowers!

The first part of the Olive Trail loops around the town of Gandria. It was impressive. All along the trail were information boards describing the history and uses of olives and olive oil.

Gandria from above

The Olive Trail passes right through this private property. Passage is allowed, but you must not stop to lounge!

Starting along the rest of the Olive Trail westward to Lugano

Reminded me so much of the Cinque Terre Trail on Italy's Ligurian Coast

   

Lots of cacti, palm trees and olive trees

A particularly pretty spot was this massive cliff of striated rock, and the road built into it above.

A particularly pretty spot was this massive cliff of striated rock along which the trail is built

Ristorante Elvezia al Lago.... unfortunately closed for the season.

This cactus was HUGE, about 3 meters high

From along the trail, a look back at Gandria and the trail along the cliff face. The mountains in the back are in Italy.

Before descending for the bus, a look South along Lake Lugano from Parco San Michele

Across the roofs of Lugano

From Brè to Lugano along the Olive Trail, approx. 10 km.

In July 2015 we did a boat ride on Lake Lugano, this is what the hillside looks like from the lake.

In July 2015 we did a boat ride on Lake Lugano, this is what Gandria looks like from the lake, in summer

And this is what it looked like North of the Alps this day