Technical and physical difficulties
The routes in the Lugano region are classified by degree of difficulty and are designed to help you plan your excursion conveniently. Explore the explanations on this page, both for hiking and cycling routes.
Hiking / Theme trails
Easy
- Swiss footpaths: yellow (hiking trail)
- Swiss Alpine Club: T1
Medium
- Swiss Trails: white-red-white (mountain trail)
- Swiss Alpine Club: T2 and T3
Easy
- No special requirements
Medium
- Good level of fitness
- Having a firm footing and not suffering from dizziness or vertigo
- Knowledge of the dangers of walking in the mountains (rockfalls, risk of slipping and falling, abrupt changes in weather)
Easy
- Trails accessible to all
- As far away as possible from roads open to motorised traffic
- As least asphalted as possible
- Steep pahts provided with steps
- Walkways or bridges to cross waterways
Medium
- Terrain partially without footpath
- Mostly steep and narrow
- Rivers that can sometimes be crossed as a ford
- Sometimes exposed
Easy
- Fall risk points protected by parapets
Medium
- Particularly difficult passages and protected with safety ropes or chains
Easy
- Aucun équipement spécifique nécessaire
Medium
-
Bonnes chaussures de montagne avec semelle profilée
-
Equipement adapté à la météo de la saison
-
Cartes topographiques
Easy
-
Lenght up to 15km
-
Height metres up to 300 h/m
-
Hiking time up to 4 hours
Medium
-
Lenght up to 20km
-
Height metres up to 800 h/m
-
Hiking time up to 6 hours
Road Cycling
Easy
- Debutants and boys/girls
Medium
- Accustomed to traffic
Difficult
- At ease in the traffic
Easy
- Secondary roads not very frequented
- Separate cycle paths
- Road with motorized traffic limitation
- Forest and agricultural routes
- Limited speed zones (20 or 30 Km/h)
Medium
In addition:
- Highly frequented secondary roads
- Main roads with bicycle lanes
Difficult
In addition:
- Highly frequented main roads without cycle facilities
Easy
- Almost without dangerous places
Medium
- Some dangerous places
Difficult
- Several dangerous places
Easy
- Normal bicycle equipped for the road
Medium
-
Normal bicycle equipped for the road
Difficult
- Normal bicycle equipped for the road
Easy
-
Lenght up to 50km
-
Height metres up to 300 h/m
-
Biking time up to 4 hours
Medium
-
Lenght up to 70km
-
Height metres up to 800 h/m
-
Biking time up to 5 hours
Difficult
- Lenght more than 70km
- Height metres more than 800 h/m
- Biking time more than 5 hours
Mountain Biking
Easy
- No specific MTB requirements
Medium
- Basic knowledge of MTB
Difficult
-
Experienced MTB enthusiast with good riding skills
-
Knowledge of the dangers on the mountain (falling rocks, risk of slipping and falling, sudden change of weather)
Easy
- In general paths and roads well stabilized (if possible without coatings)
Medium
- In general paths and roads without traffic and if possible without pavement
- Short demanding sections but only in exceptional situations (p.ex. pushing footings)
Difficult
- In general paths and roads without traffic, if possible uncoated and technically demanding
- Obstacles, possible footings by pushing or carrying
Easy
- Almost without dangerous places
Medium
- Some dangerous places
Difficult
- Several dangerous places
Easy
- Tourism bike
Medium
-
MTB needed
Difficult
- MTB needed (recommended suspension)
Easy
- Lenght up to 40km
- Height metres up to 800 h/m
- Biking time up to 4 hours
Medium
- Lenght up to 50km
- Height metres up to 1200 h/m
- Biking time up to 5 hours
Difficult
- Lenght more than 50km
- Height metres more than 1200 h/m
- Biking time more than 5 hours
E-MTB
Degrees of difficulty e-MTB
e-MTBs are for everyone, but not everyone is made for e-MTB!
- The distinction between MTB route and e-MTB route is essentially that you do not have to lift your bike. However, it may be that that a tree or a landslide can obstruct the route, and where others pass a particular situation by pushing the e-MTB you are forced to lift it. You are never immune from having to lift the weight of your bike or push it uphill!
- Do not underestimate the routes and overestimate your technical and physical abilities!
- Dress accordingly and always wear a helmet and gloves. You should always carry a puncture repair kit with you, in addition to food and drink.
- Plan routes, alternatives and recharging well in advance as pushing a discharged bike can become a nightmare.
- Do I have to follow the official signposting, print and/or download the map and GPX data? We recommend everyone downloads the free SwitzerlandMobility app.
- Set off with a fully-charged battery and always charge the battery at the charging stations!
- Carrying your own cable can come in handy in an emergency.
Differences between e-MTB and MTB to think about
- Less physical exertion resulting in greater clarity in facing the effort downhill.
- More cyclists can become involved, more company.
- The effort changes but not the physical and technical commitment required.
- Less pedalling means the quicker the battery is consumed, pedalling is indispensable and requires physical and respiratory effort.
- Lower and more favourable centre of gravity with inclination towards the ground resulting in greater stability when descending.
- Wider tyres with better grip, pay attention to the correct tyre pressure.
- Assisted pedalling, dependence on the battery to be charged.
- Weight increased by several kilos.
- Less manoeuvrability.