Monte Generoso by Bicycle:
Mountain Bike Trail
| Stage |
m. above
Sea level |
stage
Km |
total
Km
|
Description |
Capolago Stazione-
Bellavista Station |
1221 |
6 |
6 |
Departure on the Monte Generoso railway equipped with a special carriage for transporting bicycles. |
Bellavista Station-
Bellavista |
1221 |
1 |
7 |
Start of path in direction of panoramic tower (1216 m) and return point. |
Bellavista-
Bivio La Grassa |
1102 |
3.5 |
10.5 |
Start of asphalt section in the direction of Cascina d’Amirone (1152). Balduna (1105). |
Bivio La Grassa-
Cugnoli |
650 |
4 |
14.5 |
Start of the descent path through the woods. The first 500 m of path are quite narrow, but thereafter it is negotiable without problem on a magnificent woodland route. |
Cugnoli- Monte
variante 1 |
678 |
3 |
17.5 |
Continue descending for approx. 500 m on the path that joins the asphalt road leading to Casima and Monte, or on the path to the right that leads to Casima and then onto the road to Monte. |
Cugnoli- Monte
variante 2 |
678 |
3 |
17.5 |
Follow the magnificent path on the left that leads to Tur/San Giovanni. From Tur, a challenging asphalt road leads to the bottom of the valley, from where it climbs again to Muggio. On the valley road one reaches Cabbio, descending again to the bottom of the valley and then climbing once more towards Casima and Monte. This variant adds 4 km to the course. |
Monte-
Castel San Pietro |
449 |
3.5 |
21 |
Proceed along the cantonal road in the direction of Mendrisio. |
Castel San Pietro-
Mendrisio |
354 |
2.5 |
23.5 |
Cross Mendrisio’s pedestrian zone and begin the descent towards San Martino, past Mendrisio’s communal swimming pool, after which take the left bank of the river that leads directly to Capalogo Lake and station. |
Mendrisio-
Capolago Station |
273 |
4.5 |
28 |
Arrive back at the departure point. |
Setting
From Bellavista there is a pleasant view of the Lake Lugano region and towards the Alpine chain. The first kms pass through the shade of a lovely beech-wood grove. Right up to the city limit of Mendrisio, there is a palpable silence.
Before joining the cantonal road for Capolago, one passes the Museo d’Arte (Museum of Art) and the typical “cellars” of Mendrisio. A visit is a must.
Organisation
The bicycles are rented out by the railway of Monte Generoso and the rental arrangements are concluded in Capolago, the departure station of the Monte Generoso railway. The bicycles can then be collected at Bellavista station. It is important to follow the instructions provided, when collecting the bicycles.
Note
Going to the summit is strongly recommended. The view from there is incomparable. At the Vetta it is possible to reserve reasonably priced double rooms or dormitories that each sleep 10.
Monte Generoso is a naturalistic oasis of international importance. Its summit is the only one to have been formed in the area during the last ice age and has become a kind of Noah’s Arc for many species of animals and plants.
Prices
Bicycle rental for the descent from Bellavista to Capolago
| |
Day Rate |
Half Day Rate |
| Adults |
Fr. 30.– |
Fr. 20.– |
| Groups from 10 persons |
Fr. 25.– |
Fr. 15.– |
|
Children’s bikes
|
Fr. 25.– |
Fr. 15.– |
| Helmet |
Fr. 5.– |
Fr. 5.– |
Pictures by momobike.ch