Pure blue skies, temperature forecast of 14 degrees, although there was a cold North Wind blowing, which is always a challenge, as the air alternates from too cold in the open areas then too hot where it is wind-protected: It's hard to know how to best dress for this...
This time we hiked from one valley into the other, which meant the first hour's climb was in the shade (North side of the mountain in Valle d'Isone) which was not an issue because a steep climb is better at cooler temperatures. Afterwards, as we walked on the flank below Monte Bar from one typical Ticino hamlet to the next we mostly enjoyed the afternoon sun in open clearings and light birch forests before descending into Val Colla to Riveredo, always with views of Lake Lugano and finally facing the magnificent mountain range called "Denti della Vecchia" ("Old Lady's Teeth).
A neighbour recently said to me: "Are there no other places in Switzerland than the Ticino?" Well to that I say, where else can we hike in the mountains at 15-20 Degrees in December?"
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| Our hike started in the village of Medeglia in the Valle d'Isone, across from Monte Tamaro to the West. For the first hour we hiked up the shady hill to the left. |
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| The first hour climb was on the shady side of the hill |
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| Along the way the forest was thick, and it was only as we got to the top that we had an open view of Valle d'Isone, with the village of Isone at the very back. This valley is a training ground for the Swiss Military. |
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| There was a massive rock slide here, looks like that tower might also come down some time. |
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| At the "pass" between the two valleys (Gola di Lago, whereby Gola = Throat) is a moor of national importance. |
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| From here the rest of the walk is along the sunny flank of the mountain through clearings such as the one at the back on the right. |
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| Zoomed view of a couple of the clearings that we are heading to |
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| On this side, we are basically heading South and West, always with Lago di Lugano ahead of us. |
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| Even walking through the forest, the birch trees offer lots of light |
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| Taking a moment to admire the Capriasca Region of Southern Ticino |
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| The Capriasca: Ahead is Lake Lugano with the city of Lugano and its "home mountain" Monte San Salvatore, to the right is the airport in Agno. And just a little further South is Italy. |
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| North of us the snow-capped mountains of the Leventina |
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| A good place for a cup of coffee, but the wind was cold on my back, so we had to move on quickly again. |
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| This is where we stopped for coffee, a lovely clearing with lots of sunshine and a great view |
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| More lovely birch forests |
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| Monti di Roveredo, which is the upper mountain hamlet related to the town of Roveredo further below. |
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| First glimpse of the mountain range called "Denti della Vecchia" |
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| Almost down at the road that heads into the Valley called Val Colla, this is one of three larger villages we passed through. This one was called Somazzo. |
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| At the far end of the village of Somazzo was this cute little chapel called "Oratorio di San Giovanni Bosco" (Bosco = Woods). It's not particularly old or historical. |
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| Wonderful early winter weather for hiking. |
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| Through the second village of Treggia, and then on to Roveredo. |
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| At the third and last village (Roveredo) before heading to the main road to catch the bus, this was the last late afternoon view from the piazza in front of the little church. |
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| On the bus back to Lugano Main Station, this is the view to Monte Bar and the Val Colla Valley, and the general path we took from Gola di Lago, the pass on the left. |
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| It took us 4.5 hours to walk this 3.5-hour trail. We took lots of time in the villages, and got lost once. |
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| In 2016 we also crossed Gola di Lago, but started in Isone and ended in Tesserete on that particular hike, also 3.5 hours. |
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