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

 

On the Industrial Trail near Lenzburg in the Seetal Valley

February 27, 2019 -- We have been experiencing an unseasonably warm February with lots of sunshine, which means that the snow has melted in the lower elevations, and the crocuses and snowbells are already popping out of the ground! Which is exciting for us who prefer the variety of landscapes offered by dry-land hiking as opposed to the sameness of the winter landscape, as beautiful as that can be after a new snowfall.

On this Wednesday, temperatures were up to 18 degrees in many places, and we had a very nice, comfortable 14-km walk in the Canton of Aargau, starting in Lenzburg in the Seetal Valley and walking the Industry Education Trail along the river Aabach, where much of the industrialization of this area started (water power to run paper mills, sawmills, weaving and spinning mills, flour mills and so on) from the 1600's (or earlier) onwards. Along the way are information boards describing the original operations on those sites, most of which now serve other functions. The most exciting thing on this part of our excursion was seeing a rat on the riverbank foraging near a factory... made us feel as if we were really part of the early Industrial Age!

At Seon we crossed over the hill into the next valley to the West, the Wynental. Here we walked sun-dappled forest paths, through farming hamlets (talked to a farm lady about the hedgehogs living in her barn -- still one of my wishes, to see a hedgehog!) visited sandstone caves and passed by two castles before catching the train back to Aarau at Teufenthal. One of my favourite things here, meandering from castle to castle....

Town of Lenzburg. In the back, on the hill, is the castle Lenzburg, obviously bein fixed up for opening to the public in April

Me on the fountain

Although the Hero Company is no longer in this building, Hero jams were originally manufactured here. Founded in 1886.

A little walk around Lenzburg takes us to the Burghalde (built 1628) and the newer built-in Museum at the back

At the museum is this replica of a Roman wagon found in Zurich, dating from approx. 2800BC (wheels made of oak wood)

Many pretty framework buildings in this area

Across the river near one of the factory buildings, we spotted a rat. Also, the snowbells are out!

This building was the main of three mills in Lenzburg (Obere Mühle), originally mentioned in documents dating to the 13th Century. Was operated by two waterwheels with diameter of 4.5 meters. Now privately owned.

This is the Aabach River, of vital importance to the development of industry in this area

Zoomed view of Lenzburg Castle high on the hill

One of several information placards along the way, describing the establishment and operation of the early factories along the river. This one used to be a paper and cardboard mill. Most of the buildings are now used for other operations.

Walking along the Aabach River

At Seon, the Industrial Educational Trail actually continues to Hallwil (with one more large waterwheel and museum in Hallwil, which we have visited on a previous trip) but we crossed the hill to the next valley over to see the castles.

At Seon we crossed the river and headed into the hills to the West, through farmyards and forests

So many of these crocuses already blooming!

A lovely door

This hamlet we passed through is called Refental

Approaching Castle Liebegg near Teufenthal in the Wynental Valley

It is always a treat to see these structures called "Spycher", usually found in the Emmental. They were a combination of grain storage and living quarters for the elders once their children took over the farm

Before going to the castle we took a detour to the Sandstone Caves

Sandstone was mined from here as building material for many of the upper end structures in the area

From inside the caves

The sandstone caves near Liebegg

Up close at Liebegg Castle, this is all we could see from the outside, up close. This castle was established in the year 1150 by the Lords of Liebegg

Our destination of Teufenthal below, but first we walked over the rise on the left to have a look at Trostburg Castle, not visible from here

Approaching the Trostburg Castle. Also built in the year 1100 by the Lords of Trostburg. Partially destroyed by the Bernese in 1415. 

This entire structure including chapel and tower are unter private ownership. Totally renovated in the early 2000's.

View of the castle as we are heading down to the train station in Teufenthal

This 14-15 km walk from Lenzburg to Teufental took us about 4 hours and 15 minutes