More Sunshine along "The Vineyard Trail" in Ticino

February 14, 2018 -- After about two weeks of no excursions, this week was all about getting away from the colder-than-average February weather in the North to find some +8 deg. weather and sunshine.

Which meant heading South twice in a week! On Sunday we did the short loop hike to the Contra Dam (photos HERE), and on Wednesday we also headed to this area, to walk along the same South-facing slopes but further to the East. This way we were assured some balmy temperatures and an interesting variety of trails. We walked high above the Magadino Plain and the vineyards on a trail aptly called "Via delle Vigne" (i.e. "Vineyard Trail"), with the ever-wondrous juxtaposition of palm trees with snowy mountains as the backdrop. 

Each hike we do brings us some surprises, such as waterfalls and clear pools, or a wild-life sighting, or spotting the first flowers (lots of camellias), and tiny lizards scurrying off the warm rocks... a sure sign that spring is just around the corner!

This is the weather near home as we are heading South yet again, twice in one week..

We walked about 8 km along the "Via delle vigne" between Sementina and Cugnasco

"Fortini della Fame" and the "Chiesa Santissima Trinità"

From Bellinzona we took a bus to Sementina and headed up the hill. This is the first interesting sight: A fortification line called "Fortini della Fame" dating from 1850. Our trail took us along the wall on one side of the Sementina River, and the Church is on the other side of the river.

From the "Vineyard Trail" we look down at another historical Church: "Chiesa di San Michele" from the 17th Century.

View across Sementina and Bellinzona

Walking the "Via delle vigne" (Vineyard Trail)

It's still cold enough in the shadows to freeze the spray from the waterfalls

Urs spotted two roe deer (this one is the male with small fuzzy antlers) camouflaged in the woods some distance up the hill. It's these small surprises that make our day!

At the small collection of houses called "Redonda" we had our picnic lunch (on the little bench along the wall at the back). If the owners aren't home, we often use their benches.

Every once in a while some downed trees block our trails.

It's also always a treat to come across these hidden pools called "Pozzi". In summer we sometimes swim in them.

Along the Trail above the Magadino Plain

The forests were thick with these Ticino Palm trees, which actually grow as weeds here

Looking down across the Magadino Plain

As we walk westward, Lake Maggiore comes into view.

This looked very inviting!

Here at the village of Al Bosco we headed down through the vineyards back to valley level.

My favourite picture: Palm trees with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains

This is a typical church of this area. This one is Cugnasco, the end of our hike.

We walked approx. 8 km from Sementina to Cugnasco