Monte Brè hike to Gandria and Boat Ride on Lake Lugano

Trail Overview

Monte Brè is reached with a series of two funiculars. The trail starts at the top and hikes down, mostly through a forest, to the small village Gandria on the lakeshore. From there you can ride a boat or walk back to Lugano. You could also do this route in reverse.

Hiking map

The hiking map shows the trail from Monte Brè down to Gandia. I suggest starting by walking down to the viewpoint at Ristorante Vetta. It’s the best viewpoint on the trail. The follow signs to Brè and Gandria to join the main trail.

View interactive hiking map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive

The trail starts on stairs, mostly paved until you reach Brè, about 15 mins walking. Then the trail alternates between a narrow dirt path with lots of switchbacks and stairs and some paved road sections. Most is in the forest with occasional breaks in the trees so you can see the lake. Not many benches for rests or picnics.

Option: Walk to Lugano instead of boat ride

You can walk from Gandria to Lugano instead of riding the boat. We chose to do this because we didn’t want to wait so long for the boat. This adds 6 km distance to reach the Lugano train station (about 4.5 km if you are walking to the parking).

Start by following the green “Sentiero dell’olivo” signs, direction Cassarate. When you join the main road, stay on the sidewalk following signs to Lugano, instead of following any paths that lead up the mountain. Most of the path is on a semi-paved walkway along the water. Pics of this route below in the photo story. See trail map.

How to get there

This trail is located in Lugano city, easily accessed by train or car.

By public transport:

Note: If you are coming by public transportation, SBB Railway usually has a combo offer that includes a discount for both your train travel and Monte Brè funicular tickets. See details.

Take a train to the main Lugano train station (Lugano, Stazione). Then ride Bus 2 to the Cassarate, Monte Brè bus stop, about a 11 min ride. It’s a short walk from the bus stop to the section 1 funicular as shown below. This bus goes about every 15 mins. Check current schedule on SBB.ch. 

Alternatively, I suggest walking from the train station through town and along the water to reach the funicular, as shown below. It takes about 45 mins and is a nice way to enjoy the city. See interactive map on Komoot.

By car:

You can park for free at Campo Marzio – Via Campo Marzio 1, 6900 Lugano. But you must request a free parking exit ticket when purchasing your funicular ticket (at funicular section II). It’s a 10 min walk from the parking to the Section I funicular station at Via Pico 8, 6900 Lugano

There is metered parking a bit closer to Section I at Piazza Riscossa 16, 6900 Lugano. 

Ticket prices

You can purchase a combined hiking ticket, which include one way on the Monte Brè funicular and the boat ride back to Lugano. In 2022, this ticket costs CHF 28.60/adult, CHF 14.30/child aged 6-16, free under age 6. Discount with Ticino Ticket, SBB GA, Half-fare, Day Pass. Large dogs must have their own ticket, same price as children.

If you are walking from Gandria to Lugano instead of riding the boat, you only need a one way funicular ticket. In 2022, this ticket costs CHF 16/adult, CHF 8/child aged 6-16, free under age 6. 

Note: You don’t have to purchase or show your tickets until you reach Section II, where you’ll find the ticket booth. 

Operating times

Funicular schedule

Section I funicular (Lugano Cassarate – Suvigliana) runs daily every 15 mins, carrying 30 people. It’s a 4 min ride.

Section II funicular (Suvigliana – Monte Bré) runs daily every 30 mins, carrying 68 people. The journey time is 12 mins. From April – October, section II runs 9:00 – 18:00, until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays in July and August. In winter, it runs until 17:00.

Both funiculars run year round, except for a maintenance break from mid January to mid February. Check current schedule.

Boat schedule

The Lago Lugano boats run from April through late October. The boat schedule is highly variable based on the day of the week, so check the schedule carefully. For example, some boats run only on weekdays, some only weekends and holidays, some only Saturdays.

In 2022, the boat seems to always pick up at 13:05, 13:55, 14:45, 16:05, 18:05. Additional times depending on the day of the week. See current Lago Lugano boat schedule.

The boat ride from Lugano to Gandria takes 10-30 mins, depending on which boat you are on. Some boats make stops along the way.

If you want to return to your car, you may want to get off at the Cassarate stop, which is closest to the parking. Make sure your boat stops there, as not all do.

When we were there on a Saturday, there were already at least 50 people waiting for the boat in Gandria, more than 30 mins before it was to arrive. I think you’ll definitely get on the boat no matter how many people are waiting. But you may not get a seat.

Photo story of the trail

Arriving in Lugano

If you took the train to Lugano, you will start with this view over Lugano city and Monte Brè already in view. You can ride Bus 2 from the train to the funicular station, about 10 mins. Or you can walk through Lugano to the funicular station, about 30 to 45 mins depending on which route you take.

It’s a lovely walk through town, Monte Brè often visible.

If you want a picnic later, I’d suggest picking up sandwiches at Gabbani. 

Nice views of the other Lugano mountain, San Salvatore, which you should visit next time.

Riding up the funicular

Here is the Monte Brè funicular – Section I. You don’t need to purchase a ticket here. You’ll do that at the next station. The automatic gate will let 30 people in. It runs every 15 mins and is a 4 mins ride to the next station.

Here is the funicular car and view of Lugano from the ride up.

Exit the funicular and cross the street to the Monte Brè Section II funicular station. There was a long line when we were there, so we had to wait about 45 mins to go up.

You purchase tickets at this booth before getting on the funicular. If you have a SBB Railaway voucher, show it here to get your funicular ticket. There is a toilet at this station.

This second funicular fits 68 people and is a 12 mins ride to the top.

Nice views to the northwest as you ride up.

Top of Monte Brè

The funicular drops you here. There is a toilet in the station.

There are a few signs pointing to Gandria.

Start the hike

Start hiking by following the paved path down to Ristorante Vetta.

Above the restaurant there is a small playground and benches where you can picnic.

Then follow trail signs to Brè (a small village below the peak) and Gandria. The trail leads through the forest to this second viewpoint.

You can see the Brè village below. The far east side of the lake is the village Porlezza, just across Italian border.

Walk down the stairs to the village Brè. There are a couple restaurants here and a water fountain at the playground next to this parking lot.

Follow the road for a bit to this church.

From the church, leave the road onto a dirt footpath at these signs, direction Gandria.

The trail looks like this, very uneven and lots of stairs. I found walking sticks very helpful.

Sometimes the trail joins a paved road.

Sometimes you leave the forest and get views like this.

Most of the path is in thick forest without views.

At every fork in the trail, follow signs to Gandria.

Sometimes the trail has a steep slope to one side, so walk carefully.

When you reach the main road, cross the street and follow the stairs down into the Gandria village, following signs with the boat symbol.

Lots of charming narrow cobblestone alleys that criss-cross this village. It’s a bit of a maze, but just keep heading down towards the water and you’ll find the boat dock eventually.

We found the water here, then kept walking until we found the dock.

Here is the Gandria boat dock, many people already waiting for the boat to Lugano, which runs rather infrequently. You can purchase tickets here if you don’t already have a combo ticket for the boat.

Walk to Lugano

If you want to walk to Lugano instead of ride the boat, follow the “Sentiero dell’Olivo” signs, direction Cassarate (the bus stop near the Monte Brè funicular). You can follow this map.

It’s mostly a stone/paved path along the water like this. Not all of it has views. Much of it is shady, behind trees.

Sometimes you get long views down the lake.

Some stairs, so no strollers here either.

This picture doesn’t show it, but the lakeside trail from Gandria was very busy, with lots of people going both directions and a few bikes. And not all parts were as charming as this picture. Lots of the path was blocked by fenced private residences along the water. I think the boat ride would be much preferable.

Once you reach Lugano, make your way to your car or train station. Hope you enjoy your day!