Hiking the Flanks of Monte Carasso above Bellinzona

March 2, 2019 -- Forecast had for mostly sunny skies in the Ticino, and the cable car up to the top of Monte Carasso near Bellinzona had just opened for the season (although the restaurants up there only opened March 3rd, so good thing we brought a picnic along this time) but as it turned out, there was MUCH less sun (almost none) than expected, and a cold North wind blowing. Which makes for much less spectacular photos, but a nice hike nevertheless.

We started at the top-most station of the Monte Carasso/Mornera cable-car, where we ran into much more snow than expected (from the valley below, all the lower hills look snow-free) but soon descended into the snow-free section where we passed through forests and groupings of stone houses scattered around the eastern flank above Bellinzona. End of the hike was the second-highest stop of the cable car, where you actually have to "climb" the tower to get into the cable car as it passes by. (Same thing at the first intermediate stop).

Best part of the trip (besides the many signs of coming Spring: Daffodils, butterflies, lizards, magnolias, Japanese Cherries) was something you don't see in the photos: From Feb.28 to March 5th, the city of Bellinzona is celebrating the Carnival called Rabadan (2nd or 3rd largest Carnival in Switzerland) and we could hear the marching bands' music carrying all the way up the mountain. On our way back to the train station in Bellinzona at the end of our excursion we caught some of the festivities. Young and old dress up and dance in the streets to loud music. Key theme is CONFETTI!

(Side note: We were planning to return the next day, March 3rd, for the huge parade with floats and marching bands, but postponed this trip for another year).

Cable car approaching, to take us up to the top of the hill (weather looks promising, but didn't last long)

At the first intermediate stop, this is the hamlet called Curzutt. From here you can hike to the Tibetan suspension bridge (A hike we've done already)

On the way up, our cable car is just passing the second intermediate stop "Pientina". This is where we plan to get back on the cable car after our loop hike.

View across the Magadino Plain

We started in Mornera and walked to the various groupings of stone houses on the hillside, before returning to the second intermediate stop at Mornera for the ride back down

At the start of our hike in Mornera, there is more snow than we expected up here.

Soon enough, though, we left the snow behind. At this location called Monda is an "Agritourism" operation, closed for the winter, so we "borrowed" their picnic tables for our lunch

Lunch time, with the best view into the Mesolcino Valley (at the end of which is the San Bernardino Pass)

Not a lot of sun, but a nice view just the same!

Sign of spring: The early "Small Tortoiseshell" Butterfly

We walked back and forth across forest paths checking out the various little clusters of stone houses perched on the hillside.

Until 2007 this cable car was also in operation to transport people from the valley bottom to this little hamlet (Baltico) further North on the mountainside, but was unfortunately not updated since then.

People who have houses In Baltico and Tampori used to have direct access with the other cable car, now they have to walk from Pientina.

From up on the hill you get a good zoomed view of the beautiful Castel Grande at the heart of Bellinzona

It was very pleasant here in Tampori. Urs found a "better" fountain to fill up our water bottles at!

We very much enjoy walking through these villages of stone houses, admiring the craftsmanship.

It's also a very pleasant surprise when we come across something as interesting as a suspension bridge.

Looking down at the Ticino River

This is a bit of an "Upper Class" house in the woods high up on the mountainside!

All these signs of Spring, very exciting!

Another zoomed view into the valley below: Castel Grande below, and Castello di Montebello somewhat higher on the hillside above Bellinzona.

Castello di Montebello up close

I never tire of all the stone walls and buildings

And now to call the cable car to come pick us up! (Pientina, one of two intermediate stops on the Monte Carasso cableway)

It's kind of fun that you have to go up the tower to get into the cable car

On the way back down to the Magadino Plain

Passing Curzutt again on the way down (this is the other intermediary stop)

Back down at the main road, heading to the bus stop, we passed this very old building which still stands in the new residential area. The owner was just shearing his sheep

Freshly shorn sheep. Soon they will head up into the mountains as well!

Back in Bellinzona we caught some of the festivities. Main attraction is Confetti!

The next day the large Rabadan Parade with lots of floats and marching bands will pass through here. We were planning to attend, but changed our plans

 

Hike to the Tibetan Bridge Carasc, and 1000-year-old church S.Bernardo

(This post was created on Dec.28, 2020)

Wednesday March 23, 2016 -- On the website for the “Top Ten Highlights of the Ticino”, this hike to one of Switzerland’s longest Tibetan-style suspension bridges (only recently completed in May 2015) is described as a 4-hour hike starting in Sementina near Bellinzona, and hiking up the sun-drenched vineyards facing the Magadino Plain, then crossing the spectacular bridge, ending with a visit to the very old chapel of San Bernardo, the restored village of Curzútt, and then a steep 350m descent to Monte Carasso.

We, on the other hand, did this in the opposite direction, saving about an hour’s walking time and 350m ascent by taking the Monte Carasso / Mornera Funicular to the village of Curzútt, which is a fairly new stop along the cable car route (you get off high up on the tower and descend a staircase into the village). Curzútt is a very pretty cluster of stone houses built in the typical dry-stone style of the Ticino area, and which quickly became one of our favourite places in Canton Ticino. This whole area including gardens and terraced vineyards has been lovingly restored by the the Fondazione Curzútt-S.Barnard thanks to a significant investment of about 6 million Francs.

About 10 minutes along the trail toward the suspension bridge lies the small Romanesque church of San Bernardo whose origins date back to the late 11th century. The interior is virtually fully covered in 14th and 15th century frescoes. The painting of the Last Supper is especially interesting owing to the fact that the artist featured local products, including freshwater crabs and cherries, on the table. We were lucky that the church was open on this day, as it's only open from Wednesday to Sunday, or otherwise you have to pick up the key at the hostel in Curzútt, which we didn't know.... 

Up and down along the trail through the chestnut forests we got to our main goal of the day: The 270-m long Tibetan bridge suspended 130 metres above the Sementina creek below. A breathtaking view! Crossing the bridge is not as fear-inducing as it may seem: Swiss bridge builders have made sure the bridge is securely fastened so it doesn’t swing..... except when someone jogs across, which happened to me, and I wasn't happy!

At this time of year, we ran into a shady section, but on the Sementina side descending through the vineyards, lots of welcome sunshine!

Village of Curzútt above the Leventina Valley near Bellinzona can be accessed via cable car.

One of three stops along the cable car line: You disembark onto the platform and walk down the stairs almost directly into the village

The village has been restored in the old art of dry stone architecture. There is a large hostel with a good restaurant here (where we had lunch before doing our hike)

"Modern" dry-stone building style common to this area

All the grounds as well here in Curzútt have been newly renovated.

A look down into the ravine through which flows the Sementina River. In the back is the Magadino Plain and the peak of Monte Tamaro

Only 10 minutes' walk along a good trail to the main landmark here: the 1000-year old S.Bernardo church. In the back is the ravine which we are going to cross on the Tibetan Bridge.

Zoomed view of St. Bernard 

A well-laid trail to the popular landmark, an easy 10-minute walk from the cable-car station

Even the entrance to the San Bernardo chapel is painted in frescoes.

Painting above the entrance to the chapel. Unfortunately, all kinds of graffiti has been added over the years.

The mural of the Last Supper includes local food items

All the interior walls are covered with attractive frescoes from the 14th and 15th Centuries

Another attractive work of art on the South wall

From the chapel, it takes about 45 minutes to walk to the Tibetan bridge, through mostly chestnut forests.

The first view of the bridge is an impressive one! Completed in May 2015, this bridge over the Sementina created an important connection between the communities of Monte Carasso, and Sementina.

A great challenge to cross one of Switzerland's longest suspension bridges! (270 meters!)

Crossing the Carasc suspension bridge

A view up the Sementina Valley / Gorge

The longer the bridge, the less chance of being able to cross alone, without other people, especially joggers, creating a slight swinging motion or vibrations!

Meandering along the sunny hillside before descending to Sementina

A quick detour to another old chapel called the Oratorio di San Defendente, dating also from the Middle Ages but rebuilt in the 17th Century. 

Heading down the hill to Sementina

At this time of year in late March, the trees are not yet green, but the Magnolias are magnificent.

A view across the valley to Giubiasco

We reach the main road on the South side of the Sementina River. Looking across the River is another building with historical value: Chiesa di SS.Trinità, one that's I'd like to visit some day.

Heading North along the main road to the bus stop, this view is into the Sementina Valley (very shady here for several months in winter), which we crossed on the Tibetan Bridge. The Church of San Bernardo is higher up on the hill above SS Trinità.

Riding the Monte Carasso - Mornera cable-car to Curzutt saves us an hour of walking uphill.