Malcantone: the chestnut trail

Whole forests of chestnuts turning gold and copper at the end of October, stone villages perched above the valley and husks crunching underfoot: Malcantone in autumn is Ticino at its gentlest.

The experience

We set off with the Guidders from Arosio and follow the Chestnut Trail, a loop through chestnut groves tended for centuries. We pass Mugena and the woods above Vezio, stop for lunch at Fescoggia and return via Caroggio, always among the chestnuts, with panels along the way telling how people lived on chestnuts.

In the valleys of Ticino the chestnut was the bread tree: for centuries chestnuts, dried and ground, fed whole families through the winter.

Everyone: the climbs are short and the path is wide, with just one slightly steep stretch.

Come and walk the chestnut woods with the Guidders: an autumn to enjoy with your pockets full of chestnuts.

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.

Arosio, in the Alto Malcantone, is about an hour and a half from Milan: motorway to Lugano Nord (vignette needed), then Taverne and the road to Arosio. Without the vignette you can come via Varese and Ponte Tresa. 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

25 Oct

11 km · D+ 400 m · 4 h

The stops · 11 km

Meeting point 9:30approximate

Meeting at Arosio, Arosio, 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 Arosio

We meet the Guidders in Arosio, near the church of San Michele.

10:00VILLAGE

Mugena

The first village on the loop, among stone houses and chestnut trees.

11:00VIEWPOINT

The chestnut groves above Vezio

The heart of the trail: centuries-old chestnuts and panels on life in the old days.

12:00VILLAGE

Lunch at Fescoggia

The village overlooking the valley: packed lunch.

13:45VIEWPOINT

Caroggio

We drop into the lower woods, among husks and yellow leaves.

14:45RETURN

Back to Arosio

We close the loop at Arosio and say goodbye to the Guidders.

What to bring

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

Questions?