Forest Trails from Arosio to Agno in the Malcantone Region of Canton Ticino

Sunday January 12, 2025 -- Even though we had sunshine on the north side of the Alps this day, there was a very cold wind blowing, so not great for walking. Once again we went south of the Alps to Canton Tessin, where the forecast was for temperatures of about 5ºC and sunshine.

We returned to the chestnut forests of the Malcantone region near Lugano, and walked a pleasant 10 kilometers along fairly level forest paths from Arosio to Cademario, then ascended to a small chapel on a hill with the most fantastic clear view of the Monte Rosa Massif to the west (with the highest peak in Switzerland, the Dufour Peak), and then a rather longish descent to the train station in Agno, at the north end of one of the many arms of Lake Lugano.

Even though we ran into some shadow of the mountain on our descent at 2:30 p.m., there was still plenty of sunshine in the vast plain around Agno, so we could have stayed and enjoyed the sunshine a bit more, but usually, after we have completed our planned hike for the day, we are simply just ready to go home. In this case, once again, a short train trip of just over two hours! A short trip for us to enjoy 4½ hours of sunshine.

Heading toward Lugano from the Bellinzona train station, the mountains along Lago Maggiore across the Magadino Plain look fabulous.

From Lugano we take an urban train toward Lamone-Cadempino, from where a bus winds up a steep road with many switchbacks to the village of Arosio, seen on this photo, from where we started our hike and headed south through the forest.

The amazing road that the bus takes from the valley bottom to the village of Arosio, and into the Malcantone Region at the foot of the Monte Lema / Monte Tamaro range.

Far to the east at the back of Val Colla, Monte Gazirolla forms the border with Italy. I would love to walk along that crest, but we could not do it in one day.

At the bus stop in Arosio is a really neat house with sculptures that look like they are holding up the old wooden roof. We got here at 10:40, after leaving home at 7:40, a 3-hour trip.

Before heading down through the village of Arosio to start on our forest hike, we had a look inside the village church. It is called San Michele and dates from the 14th to 17th Centuries.

The interior of this church was absolutely magnificent.

Intricate fresco painting behind the altar.

On every wall were paintings and restored frescoes hundreds of years old.

The church had a beautiful ceiling and several side altars.

One of several ornate side altars.

The whole interior was like one fabulous art exhibit!

A look back up at the church bell tower as we descend through Arosio to the main road.

There are always cute little decorations to be admired along the way.

Back at the main road just shortly before 11 a.m., we start on our walk toward Cademario, about an hour from here.

Starting at about 11 a.m. in Arosio, was walked through Cademario, via San Bernardo chapel, down to Cimo and Agno. In all, it was just over 10 kilometers and a 3-hour walk. We got on the train back to Lugano at just after 3 p.m., and were home by 5:15 p.m.

A final look at the village of Arosio before we entered the forest.

For a long stretch, we had a really nice level forest trail with lots of sunshine.

On the 45-minute (almost 3 kilometers) forest trail between Arosio and Cademario.

At 11:50 we emerged from the forest with this sight, and a perfect spot for our picnic lunch! The lake at the back is one of the several arms of Lake Lugano.

Enjoying our picnic lunch on a perfectly-situated bench, with lots of sunshine and great views.

The view from our bench was to Monte Boglia (straight ahead) and the Denti della Vecchia on the left. We've walked over both of those in the past.

View from our park bench. The darkest mountain on the far side of the lake is the Collina d'Oro, which we walked across just a few weeks earlier (photos HERE).

Continuing on our walk through the town of Cademario, we get a really good look at Monte Brè across the valley, and Monte Boglia on the left, which we summitted in January of 2020, a fantastic hike with the most spectacular views (photos are HERE).

A look past the roof-tops of Cademario to this arm of Lake Lugano. At the very south end of this arm is Italy.

Our trail passed this church, which unfortunately was locked.

From Cademario, we are headed to Cimo (1 hour 20 minutes) via San Bernardo chapel, but we took a shorter trail to get to the chapel, only 35 minutes.

A look past the houses in Cademario to Monte Gazzirola at the back of Val Colla. Back in March of 2017 we ended one of our hikes in the Malcantone region here at Cademario (photos HERE).

From Cademario, a look at the town of Agno at the north end of this arm of Lake Lugano, which is where we ended our hike. There is an airport here as well.

Down below is the airport in Agno. Directly across are the suburbs of Lugano with Monte Brè, Monte Boglia, and Denti della Vecchia mountains.

A look back at the bell tower of the church in Cademario, as we now continue southwards.

A cool pine tree, the ones we get pine nuts from!

Heading up the hill through the forest to the San Bernardo Chapel

The San Bernardo Church (also locked) dates from the 16th Century (Post Romanesque) and was restored in 1953.

This was the view toward the northeast from the summit of the little hill, in front of the San Bernardo Church. On the left is Cademario, from where we ascended to here, and in the far back, the town of Tesserete at the entrance of Val Colla.

The entire region here below Monte Bar and near the Val Colla (Monte Gazzirola) is called Capriasca. The main town there is Tesserete. We have done very many walks and hikes in this area, although we have never been to the top of Monte Bar or Monte Gazzirola.

To the Northwest we view the summit of Monte Lema. There is a cable car station there. We were up there once, when we hiked across the crest all the way from Monte Tamaro to the north (in 2014), a five-hour hike.

And far to the west (about 100 kilometers), a nice view of the Monte Rosa Massif and the many 4000+ mountains of Canton Wallis, the highest peaks in the Swiss Alps.

A closer look at the Monte Rosa Massif, which is in Switzerland, although the mountains on the other side of Lago Maggiore (just visible) are in Italy (i.e. there is a part of Italy between here and the Monte Rosa Massif). Down below is the village of Novaggio, a village we walked through on another lovely hike through the Malcantone in March of 2016 (those photos are HERE).

A zoomed view of the Monte Rosa Massif in Canton Wallis, 100 kilometers to the west. The highest peak in Switzerland is the Dufour Peak, at 4634 meters. On the far side of this massif is the Matterhorn.

Back side of the little San Bernardo church. It's now 13:20, and we need to continue on our hike.

Our next goal on the way down to Agno is the village of Cimo, just under an hour from here.

There were several pieces of artwork in the forest on the trail down the mountain. This piece was called "Glances".

Coming into the village of Cimo from above. From here we also get a good view of Monte Generoso at the far back (snow on the summit) and Monte San Salvatore in the very center.

Descending to the church in Cimo.

The little church in Cimo is called the "Oratorio di San Giuseppe". This one was not locked, so we had a look inside.

The little church is late medieval with fresco paintings behind the altar.

View to the east to Monte San Salvatore and Monte Generoso. From here we headed down through the vineyards to Agno.

Down below is the town of Agno. We are headed to the train station there, and are going to pass the church on the way there.

Close-up look at "Chiesa dei SS. Giovanni e Provino". We had just enough time to have a look inside on our way to the train stattion. This church was rebuilt in 1780, on the site of a 6th-Century church.

Interior of the church in Agno.

Other details of this church of Saint John the Baptist and St. Provino.

This is what our walk from Arosio to Agno looks like on Google Satellite Maps.

We got on the train in Agno at 3 p.m., and headed back to Lugano. The mountains to the north are the mountains between Bellinzona and Locarno.

Back in Lugano, this is the bell tower of the St. Lawrence Cathedral. In the background once again we see Monte Gazzirola on the right and Monte Bar on the left.