Carasc bridge and Curzútt

A bridge hanging over the void above the valley, a stone village reborn among the chestnuts and Bellinzona's three castles down below: the Tibetan Bridge loop is Ticino's most thrilling autumn walk.

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from Monte Carasso and climb through the chestnut woods to San Defendente, the highest point of the loop. From there we drop to the Carasc Tibetan bridge and cross it step by step, with the Sementina valley beneath our feet. On the other side the little church of San Bernardo and the village of Curzútt await, where we stop for lunch, before walking down through terraced vineyards to Monte Carasso.

Curzútt was an abandoned village: a foundation restored it stone by stone, and today it lives again, with Bellinzona's UNESCO castles in the background.

Anyone who walks regularly: the climb is steady on mule tracks and paths, and the bridge is crossed calmly, one at a time.

Come and walk suspended above Ticino with the Guidders: an autumn day worth telling.

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.

Monte Carasso, on the edge of Bellinzona, is about an hour and forty from Milan: A9 and A2 motorways to Bellinzona Sud (vignette needed). Parking at the cable car is small: better the Tatti car park in town and bus 2. Car pooling in the outing's Telegram group.

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.

Sunday

1 Nov

9 km · D+ 620 m · 4 h

The stops · 9 km

Meeting point 9:30approximate

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

HOW TO GET THERE

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09:30MEETING

Meeting at Monte Carasso

We meet the Guidders at the valley station of the Monte Carasso cable car.

10:45VIEWPOINT

San Defendente

We climb through the chestnut woods to the highest point of the loop.

11:30VIEWPOINT

The Carasc Tibetan bridge

We cross one at a time, with the valley beneath our feet.

12:00CHURCH

The little church of San Bernardo

The old church on the ridge, just before the village.

12:15FOOD STOP

Lunch at Curzútt

The restored village: packed lunch or lunch at the hostel, with Bellinzona below.

14:45SUMMIT

Back to Monte Carasso

We walk down through the terraced vineyards and say goodbye to the Guidders in the valley.

What to bring

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

Questions?