The Walk in Brief
The Sentiero dell'olivo, or Olive Trail, follows the northern shore of Lake Lugano from the Lugano district of Castagnola to the village of Gandria. It is around 3 to 3.5 km long, depending on where you start, and most walkers take about an hour, or up to an hour and a half with stops. The path runs through old olive groves, gardens and woodland on the slopes of Monte Brè, with the lake below and Monte San Salvatore across the water.
The route is mostly easy but includes some steps and short climbs, with an overall ascent and descent of around 100 m. Comfortable shoes with grip are enough. It can be walked all year, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Getting to the Start
From central Lugano you can walk east along the lakefront through Parco Ciani and on to Castagnola, which adds time but makes a full lakeside day. Alternatively, take bus line 2 from Lugano station or the centre to the Castagnola stops, which takes around a quarter of an hour. From there, signs for the Sentiero dell'olivo lead you onto the trail.
Along the Trail
Olive trees have been grown on the sunny slopes of Lake Lugano for centuries. Cultivation declined over time, and the trail is part of an effort to revive and explain it. Information panels along the way describe the olive tree, its cultivation and its history in Ticino, and some groves have been replanted.
The path is narrow in places and runs between stone walls, past villas and gardens with Mediterranean plants that grow here thanks to the mild climate on this south-facing shore. Several benches and viewpoints offer a pause over the lake. In summer, the stretches in the open can be hot, so carry water and start in the morning.
Gandria
Gandria was an independent municipality until it became part of the City of Lugano in 2004. Its historic centre is closed to cars, and roads reach only the edge of the village, so it keeps the feel of an old fishing and farming village. Houses are stacked on the steep slope right down to the water, connected by stepped lanes and narrow passageways.
Look for the church of San Vigilio, completed in 1463 with a Baroque façade added later. Down at the waterfront, several restaurants and grottos have terraces over the lake. Opening times are seasonal, so in winter fewer places are open.
On the opposite, southern shore, still within the Gandria district, a former border post now houses the Swiss Customs Museum, part of the Swiss National Museum. It tells the story of smuggling and border control on the lake, which once formed the frontier with Italy on several sides. It is reached by boat, and it is generally open only in the warmer months. Check the boat timetable and museum opening dates before planning to include it.
Getting Back to Lugano
You have three choices:
- By boat: Lake Lugano boats of the Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano call at Gandria and return to Lugano's lakefront piers. The ride is short and gives a good view of the shore you have just walked. Services are much more frequent in the main season than in winter.
- By bus: a bus connects Gandria with Lugano from the road above the village, reached by stepped lanes.
- On foot: retrace the trail to Castagnola.
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the regular boats and buses, and the Half Fare Card gives a discount.
Combining the Walk
To make a longer day, ride the Monte Brè funicular from Cassarate to the summit above Castagnola, then walk down through the village of Brè towards Gandria, joining the lakeside on the way. This adds a viewpoint over the whole Lugano bay, but the descent is steep, so allow extra time and check the route on a map before starting. Another option is to walk the Olive Trail in the morning, have lunch in Gandria and take an afternoon boat further along the lake.
Practical Tips
- Avoid the middle of the day in July and August, when the exposed sections are hot.
- After rain, the stone steps can be slippery.
- Gandria is busy on summer weekends. A weekday morning is quieter.
- The trail is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs because of the steps.
