Monte San Giorgio and its fossils

Two hundred and forty-five million years ago this was a tropical lagoon, and the floor of that lagoon preserved marine reptiles, fish and insects better than anywhere else on earth. That is why Monte San Giorgio is a UNESCO site: a mountain you walk while reading time.

The experience

We start from Meride, the village of the fossil museum, and climb through chestnut and beech woods to the summit at 1,097 m, where the view opens over both arms of Lake Lugano, across to Monte Generoso and, on clear days, as far as Monte Rosa.

We come down the other side past Alpe di Brusino and the dig sites that gave us Ticinosuchus and Ceresiosaurus: the coordinator tells you what lay beneath your feet when the Alps did not yet exist.

Entry to the Meride fossil museum is not included (CHF 12): visit it at the end if you like, it is worth the half hour. The first stretch is steep and slippery with wet leaves: poles recommended.

A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.

Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.

Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.

If your dog comes along: Switzerland requires a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days beforehand. Without them the dog is turned back at the border.

From Milan the A9 motorway to Chiasso, then Mendrisio and the road up to Meride: just under an hour from the ring road. By train: Milan to Mendrisio, then the bus to Meride.

By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.

How hard is it, really

What's included in the price

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Day

11 km · D+ 620 m · 4h30

Meeting point 9:00approximate

Meeting at Meride, Fontana di Meride, Canton Ticino, Svizzera. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.

Paid parking

Paid parking at the village entrance, near the Fontana di Meride.

HOW TO GET THERE

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A

09:00MEETING

Meeting at Meride

We meet the Guidders in the village square, in front of the fossil museum.

B

10:30VIEWPOINT

The Serpiano woods

Chestnuts, beeches and the geology trail signs: here begin the strata that made this mountain famous.

C

12:00SUMMIT

The summit at 1,097 m

Summit cross, both arms of the lake below and Monte Generoso opposite. Packed lunch.

D

14:00VILLAGE

Alpe di Brusino and the dig sites

We descend the excavation side: the guide tells the story of the marine reptiles found here.

E

15:30RETURN

Back to Meride

We finish in the village, with the museum open for anyone who wants to stay.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Questions?