Tag 1 After the welcome, you'll take a few hairpin bends up through the neighborhoods of Bellinzona to Artore. Here above the valley sits the Castel di Sasso Corbaro, the uppermost of Bellinzona's three medieval castles. Like a barrier, the entire fortress stands across the valley, making it difficult for the Dukes of Milan to gain access to Switzerland and its northern neighboring countries. Then you roll through the Magadino plain, the vegetable chamber of Ticino, reaching Lago Maggiore, Locarno and Ascona. (E-bike time without rests: 3 h, distance: 35 km, ascent/decent: 405/450 meters).
Day 2 A delicious breakfast and a good caffè, then you step into the saddle and leisurely cruise through the impressive landscape of the Maggia Valley towards Bignasco. Chestnut forests alternate with traditional Ticino villages, always accompanied by the turquoise-blue Maggia, which sometimes shimmers in the wide riverbed and then rushes from basin to basin through narrow gorges. The typical Formaggini or Salumi Ticinese give energy when the legs start to get tired. Or, if you prefer it sweet, don't miss a stop at the Panetteteria Poncini. The Panettone are known and loved far beyond Ticino. In Cavergno the Bavona river flows into the Maggia. Here, after a break, you will head out of the valley again. On the way you will learn more about the history, culture and tradition in the Museo Etnographico di Valle Maggia. (E-bike time without rests: 4.5 h, distance: 65 km, ascent/descent: 650/650 meters, options to shorten the route are given).
Day 3 Thanks to the new base tunnel, it's a short ride and you're already getting off the train in Sottoceneri in Lugano. The route leads into Malcantone, an idyllic hilly landscape between Lago di Lugano and Monte Lema. 20 hairpin bends lead up to Arosio - fortunately mostly in the shade and thanks to the e-bike only half as strenuous. The name Malconatone most likely refers to the remoteness of the region. It is all the more beautiful to roll through the landscape on the low-traffic roads. At the latest in Caslano, however, it gets busier again. A cool down in the Lago di Lugano offers a welcome refreshment and so does a visit to the Gelateria di Titi with its tempting selection of homemade ice cream. Then you take the last section back to Lugano under your wheels. (E-bike time without rests: 3.5 h, distance: 35 km, ascent/descent: 920/920 meters).
Day 4 The Mediterranean climate and the landscape of the Mendrisiotto are somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany. From Mendrisio, the route leads up to Castel San Pietro and the Valle di Muggio. The valley was awarded the honorable distinction of "Switzerland's most beautiful landscape" by the Swiss Landscape Conservation Foundation in 2014. And indeed, the valley is a gem that can hardly be surpassed in beauty. Discover the rich culture and tradition and visit the restored mill of Bruzzella that grinds the typical Rosso del Ticino, the red corn of Ticino. Finally, the journey leads through the vineyards back to the valley. So it's high time to raise a glass of Merlo to celebrate the eventful days before the tour comes to an end. (E-bike time without rests: 3 h, distance: 25 km, ascent/descent: 615/680 meters).
