Ride the beauty

Ticino is a cyclist’s paradise - The route for our adventure was quickly chosen. Few places in Switzerland are as perfect for long cycling tours as Ticino. Here, you’ll find everything from flat lakeside paths to challenging mountain climbs – the ideal setting to combine sporting activity with indulgent experiences.

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Top: Framed by uninterrupted views of the shimmering lake and soaring Alpine peaks, the private lakefront sanctuary at Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona—Switzerland’s only true beach resort—invites you to bask in refined seclusion and unparalleled tranquility.

Route 1

Thanks to three southernmost Swiss Deluxe Hotels – the Splendide Royal in Lugano, and the Castello del Sole and Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona – comfort and luxury are never far away.

Ride in our slipstream as we take you along three spectacular routes around Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore.

The adventurous mountain route up the San Lucio Pass

This route takes us from Lugano along well-maintained roads through the hidden Val Colla. Then, at the bottom of the valley, you turn off the main road at Maglio di Colla and after Certara, the terrain changes. The trail winds its way up on forest tracks and former smugglers’ paths to the San Lucio Pass on the Swiss-Italian border. Thanks to the bicycle being a combination of a touring bike and a racing bike, gravel and forest paths are just as easy to master as cycling on tarmac roads. The battery provides the necessary power when required.

On the Italian side, you’ll first tackle a thrilling 1,200-metre descent – starting on gravel trails with sweeping views of the Italian Alps, then continuing on smooth tarmac roads overlooking the plains between Lake Como and Lake Lugano. In Porlezza, nestled at the eastern tip of Lake Lugano, you can reward yourself with a refreshing gelato or drink before boarding the ferry back to Lugano.

Unwind with refreshing drinks in the tranquil shade of Casa Epper—Hotel Eden Roc’s on-site museum and serene retreat—an ideal haven after a day of exploring the beauty of Ticino.

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Travel tip along the route

Ristorante Stazione in Tesserete

This is the culinary highlight of Val Colla where you can enjoy traditional dishes from Lombardy and Ticino. famiglia-besomi.ch

Rifugio San Lucio on the San Lucio Pass

Here you will find hearty Alpine fare and a fantastic view from the top of the pass. rifugiosanluciocavargna.it

La Bottega di Gandria

In Gandria, which is served by the ferry between Porlezza and Lugano, the small Bottega is situated directly on the lake, making it one of the most beautiful aperitif spots in Ticino. If you are not travelling by bike, we recommend the walk along the Olive Trail from Gandria to Lugano. ticino.ch

Save the best till last

You can’t miss the Hotel Splendide Royal, a building steeped in history on Lake Lugano. It has stood there gracefully since 1870 and cuts an enchanting figure with its chic rooms, the artfully wallpapered hotel corridors and the playful, romantic Belle Époque Bar (they mix a great pisco sour here). After an extensive bike tour, the hotel scores particularly highly with its spa – it goes without saying how beneficial the massage was for our tight muscles. Finally, you’ll feel like you’re in seventh heaven when you visit the gourmet restaurant ‘I Due Sud’ in the evening. As you gaze through the huge windows, you can watch the sun set over the lake and take a culinary journey from the Amalfi Coast to the Swiss Riviera – the squid-ink pasta in a Ticino ham broth with radishes is outstanding. The head chef in situ Marco Veneruso gained his first cooking experience in his grandmother’s kitchen in his homeland on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. He later cooked his way to his first Michelin star in Beijing at the Italian restaurant Niko Romito in the Bulgari Hotel Beijing.

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Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona is offering the best lake views from each rooms, overlooking the 10,000 sqm garden and the boathouse La Casetta.

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Cuttlefish tagliolini, one of the signature dishes from the ‘From the Costiera to the Swiss Riviera menu at I Due Sud Restaurant.

Route 2

At sunrise, the ornate gates of Parco Ciani in Lugano open onto a view of Monte San Salvatore and the tranquil waters of Lake Lugano — a timeless moment where nature, history, and serenity meet.

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Travel tip along the route

Ristorante Posta in Carona

A well-kept restaurant with highly recommended cuisine, a charming dining room and a cosy garden terrace. postacarona.ch

Ristorante Vicania above Vico Morcote

A luxurious Alpine hut with excellent food surrounded by nature. ristorantevicania.ch

Pleasurable short trip into the hills above Morcote

The tour begins right in front of the Hotel Splendide Royal in Lugano and winds its way up to Carona via Pazzallo and Carabbia. Once you arrive, be sure to park your bike and take a leisurely stroll through the charming alleyways of this picturesque village. And if you’re feeling a little hungry, there’s a perfect spot to stop: Ristorante Posta, with its enchanting garden terrace and delicious pasta dishes – the Rigatoni alla Carbonara di Alessandro alone is worth the trip.

After the climb on paved roads to Carona, the route continues along forest paths – some of them a bit adventurous – to Alpe Vicania, where another culinary highlight awaits: a refined Alpine restaurant catering to gourmet travellers.

The descent takes you through Vico Morcote and down to Morcote, and in both villages it’s well worth hopping off your bike again to explore the picturesque streets on foot.

Check into Ticino’s Most Luxurious Agriturismo

It’s something that happens quickly – and to many – at the Castello del Sole: you check in, and within minutes, it earns a place among your favourite hotels.

What’s the secret? Perhaps it’s the warm welcome from Front Office Manager Jochen Ebert, the expertly crafted drinks served on the beach by Samuele Aloisi, or the heavenly dishes prepared by Executive Chef Matthias Rook and presented with genuine care by Maître d’hôtel Sergio Bassi. Without a doubt, it is thanks to these individuals – and the dedication of hosts Simon Valentin and Gabriela Jenny – that guests feel instantly at ease. With their calm, heartfelt approach, they have been creating a haven of relaxation for over two decades.

But the Castello del Sole is far more than a five-star retreat. It is an agriturismo in the truest sense of the word. Surrounded not only by manicured gardens and a protected nature reserve, the hotel also lies at the heart of more than 85 hectares of farmland – the Terreni alla Maggia – and 11.5 hectares of vineyards – the Cantina alla Maggia –where a devoted team crafts refined wines and exceptional produce, in harmony with the rhythms of the land.

Among the highlights are the estate’s 44 hectares of rice fields, yielding 50,000 kilograms of rice annually. This bounty features prominently in the hotel’s culinary offerings, with even the broken grains transformed into delicate rice gnocchi.

For those wishing to dive deeper into the rich flavours of local produce, Locanda Barbarossa, the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, promises an unforgettable journey. Here, Chefs Leopold Ott, Mattias Roock and their team craft masterpieces drawn directly from the garden, the fields, and the vineyards – offering a true taste of Ticino’s fertile land.

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A glimpse of the courtyard at Locanda Barbarossa at the Castello del Sole in Ascona, where Mediterranean charm and history come together.

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On our tour, we rode the SCOTT Solace Gravel eRIDE 10 and eRIDE 20. Many of the hotels now offer a wide range of bikes and e-bikes — including models suited for more technically demanding routes. Just ask the concierge or enquire when making your reservation.

Route 3

Travel tip along the route

Tea house on Monte Verità

The tea house entices you in to take a break and enjoy a tea in the Zen garden or an extended tea ceremony. monteverita.org

Osteria Boata in Brissago

The Osteria offers the best view and creative cuisine with seafood as well as regional and seasonal ingredients. osteriaboato.ch

Hotel Eden Roc in Ascona

The newly renovated hotel enchants guests with its unrivalled lakeside location, spa and the top cuisine of ʻChef of the Year 2025ʼ Marco Campanella. edenroc.ch

High Above Lake Maggiore to Brissago

From Ascona, the route ascends to Monte Verità, home to a rare gem: Europe’s only tea plantation and the charming Casa del Tè, a teahouse that warmly invites you to pause and savour the moment. The journey continues via Ronco sopra Ascona, high above Lake Maggiore, weaving through elegant residential areas and quiet forests. These varied terrains showcase the strengths of our bikes perfectly – effortlessly transitioning from smooth tarmac to forest trails. While the climb up to Monte Verità demands some muscle, it remains a rewarding challenge rather than an exhausting ordeal. Eventually, the trail descends to Brissago, where a stop at Osteria Boata – run by Ketty and Tommy – awaits. Set right on the water’s edge, the location is nothing short of idyllic, and the freshly caught fish is simply exquisite. Afterwards, the leisurely boat ride back to Ascona, passing the Brissago Islands, feels like the perfect sweet ending to a wonderful day.

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Right side | Lake Maggiore stretches between southern Switzerland and northern Italy, blending Alpine majesty with Mediterranean charm. On the Swiss side, towns like Ascona and Locarno offer relaxed elegance and cultural flair, while the Italian shores boast grand villas and the Borromean Islands. Whether you are biking along the waterfront, sailing across the lake, or exploring its scenic trails, Lake Maggiore offers year-round enjoyment and moments of quiet escape.

Words Martin Hoch