Stage 3 of our Tucino relay ride is extremely varied: You start in the Mediterranean flair of Lugano, cycle through the alleys and streets of the suburbs and out onto the Ticino trails. You will finally reach the Ticino capital, Bellinzona, through beautiful forests, over panoramic elevations and, of course, great trails. The sponsor of this tour is komoot user "cadillac55555" (komoot.de/user/646385096062).It starts at the Lugano train station and if you have just arrived, it is definitely worth taking a short detour to the center of the city and the banks of the picturesque Lake Lugano before you set off. But you also get a bit of the Italian way of life, because first you drive for a while through the streets of Lugano, which gradually get smaller, until after about five kilometers the asphalt under your tires turns into loose trail ground. Now it really starts!On a simple trail you first head for the medieval Torre di Redde, whose old walls are a good reason for a little break, before you continue slightly downhill to the village of Tesserete. If you still need supplies, this is a great opportunity to replenish your supplies. Then you take a steep path in your sights on the Alpe di Zalto. On the way you always have a good view of Monte Tamaro, which towers between you and Lake Maggiore.A nice descent takes you to Isone before the next ascent is waiting for you. If you keep your eyes open, you can always discover some creepy relics from WW1. Or you let your gaze wander into the distance: From time to time you can already see your stage destination there: Bellinzona. The "landing approach" there takes you over an old mule track and could hardly be more beautiful. Only when you cross the railroad tracks and the motorway is the natural idyll in the mountains over. But now it is not far and the closer you get to the city center of Bellinzona, the better you can see its “skyline” with the three of the best preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once you have reached your destination, it is really worth taking a little more time to take in the many sights, the narrow corners and alleys and the bitter charm of the city.Tips for arrival / departure:
If you only want to drive our relay trip in sections, that's no problem at all. The train connection between Bellinzona and Lugano is perfect: the train will take you back to the starting point of the tour in just half an hour.