Sentiero dell’olivo Gandria – Castagnola

Gandria (339m) – Grotto Elvezia al Lago (273m) – Castagnola (339)

Arrival in Lugano for the hike Sentiero dell’olivo from Gandria – Castagnola

Solène’s Dine-Tipp

Dine Tips Hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) from Gandria – Castagnola

“There are many opportunities to dine along the way, be it in a restaurant in Gandria, or along the shore path on the way, or even in Castagnola. The Sentiero dell’olivo hike from Gandria – Castagnola is a Hike&Dine route in the true sense of the word.”

Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) hiking: Facts and figures

Free interactive map of the hike Sentiero dell’olivo Gandria – Castagnola.

Free map of the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) hike. In addition, you can download a GPX file of the hike here, which you can use on your smartphone or smartwatch. Below you will find an interactive map of the hike from Gandria to Castagnola.

Our experience on the hike Sentiero dell’olivo from Gandria – Castagnola

We did the hike on the Sentiero dell’olivo from Gandria to Castagnola. For the journey to Gandria, we chose the boat instead of the bus. On the hike, we enjoyed the Mediterranean feel, and the spectacular views of the turquoise-colored Lago di Lugano. The scent of the olive trees also accompanied us again and again. Read everything about the hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) from Gandria to Castagnola.

Arrival by boat to Gandria on the hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail)

We wanted to fully enjoy our hiking day in Ticino: That’s why we made the trip from Lugano Centrale to Gandria by boat instead of taking the bus. During the approximately 45-minute boat ride, we were treated to beautiful views of Lugano, Monte San Salvatore, and Monte Brè. The hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) started in a relaxed way, without having hiked a piece.

Arrival in Gandria for the hike on the Sentiero dell’olivo

At the foot of Monte Bré, Gandria welcomed us. The Ticino village of Gandria was reflected in the water. Solène tapped on my shoulder and looked at me with her mouth wide open. Yes, we were lucky once again and caught the perfect day to hike the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail). We got off the boat at “Gandria (lago)” and watched the boat as it moved on. Solène called me. I followed her into the alleys of Gandria.

Exploring Gandria at the beginning of the hike of the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail).

Gandria has many stone-paved alleys. Gandria put us in a vacation mood, and we decided to dine before the hike. The hike on the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) started for us at a ristorante. It was not easy to decide on a restaurant. There were, among others, the Ristorante Antico, the restaurant La Bottega di Gandria and the restaurant Rocabella. We spontaneously decided on the latter.

Feasting in Gandria before the hike on the Sentiero di Gandria.

We were served homemade gnocchi on a high terrace in Gandria. For dessert we had a tiramisu. Mmmhm, that was delicious! Full to the brim, we sat for a while in the restaurant and enjoyed the sun and the view of Lago di Lugano. Our goal, to fully enjoy the hiking day on the Sentiero di Gandria (Olive Trail), we already succeeded very well until here.

The Gandria Cellars

Solène and I met Antonietta, a local. She pointed to the opposite bank (which also still belongs to Gandria) and told us that the so-called Cantine di Gandria is located there. People would have used to store things like cheese, wine, or sausages in the coolness of these gandria cellars.

We told her that we had come here because of the Sentiero dell’olivo. Gesticulating and full of joy, she said that Gandria was known for its olive oil. Unfortunately, one winter the trees froze. But gradually new ones were planted again. In 2002 the Sentiero dell’olivo was created. Antonietta wished us a lot of fun discovering the olive trail. Since there was much more to know about Gandria, we have gathered a few exciting facts below.

Start of the hike in Gandria on the Sentiero dell’olivo

After saying goodbye to Antonietta, we hiked up to the olive grove in Nosera Gandria. The official starting point of the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) is at the top of the road, at the parking lot, or at the bus stop “Gandria, Strada”. Via a loop towards Ròzza you also pass an olive grove and later the church of San Vigilio. We walked over the soft ground along the olive groves and finally reached the stony trail.

On the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) on the Bay of Gandria

We hiked along the stone path, leaving Gandria and arriving at a viewpoint that offered a view of Monte San Salvatore. This was right up my alley – I love views! The whole stretch of the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) was actually a great viewpoint in retrospect. Solène had already hiked a little further and called out to me after the bend. Just around the bend there was a wonderful bay. The water there, blue and turquoise and… without words! We almost forgot to take photos because we were so excited.

Continue to the Hotel Elvezia al Lago on the trail Sentiero di Gandria

We continued along the Sentiero di Gandria towards Castagnola on riverside and cobblestone paths. We saw a red building that fits perfectly into this landscape dotted with palm trees and the lake in front of it. Solène, of course, was almost there and called out to me that this was the Hotel Elvezia al Logo. How nice it would be to wake up in the morning in one of the nine rooms with a direct lake view, go out on the balcony and enjoy the calm morning air… Putting it on the bucket list in our minds, we continued the hike on the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail).

On the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) from Grotto Elvezia (lago) to Lido San Domenico

On the Sentiero di Gandria, our hike continued past boat moorings along Lago di Lugano. We grabbed a seat on one of the few benches on the olive path. We closed our eyes, enjoyed the sun, and fell asleep. An older gentleman quietly sat down next to us. Later we got to talk with him and he told us that the Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) is also popularly called the Sentiero die Gandria. Aha!

Park Villa Heleneum in Castagnola on the hike Sentiero di Gandria

By chance, in Castagnola, at the end of the hike of the Sentiero dell’olivo, we discovered the park of Villa Heleneum. We really liked the carefully landscaped garden with its many exotic trees, shrubs, and flowers. And there was this villa. I mused and asked Solène if the large, rectangular, neoclassical-style villa looked familiar to her. She just looked at me questioningly and shrugged her shoulders. A quick web search later and I learned that the villa was modeled after the original from the Petit Trianon of Versailles.

We walked through the park planted with palm trees, citrus plants, and decorative lilies. The lawn was very well maintained. The cobblestone path wound through the park and the views of Lago di Lugano were fantastic. The interplay of architecture and nature was a perfect fit, merging into a single work of art. Suddenly, Solène frightened. A small lizard scurried across the path to one of the many pillars. All good.

Return from Castagnola to Lugano on the hike Sentiero di Gandria

Warmed by the sun and with the scent of Mediterranean flowers in our nostrils, we left the Heleneum Park. Now the hike Sentiero di Gandria (Olive Trail) was almost over. It only went as far as the bus stop “Castagnola, S. Domenico“. Hand in hand we walked along Via Cortivo until we came to the crossroads with Via Riviera. We already saw the bus coming from behind. I ran across the street. Whew, done. I held the door open and Solène also slipped in just in time. After 16 minutes on the B2 bus, we were back in Lugano, where we set off for home.

Conclusion of the hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail)

The hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) or Sentiero di Gandria was a short pleasure hike. It is a total pleasure route because the shore path and the picturesque villages with the olive trees and the palm trees invite you to dream and to stay. If you want, you can learn a lot about olives and how they are processed into olive oil. We especially liked the many fantastic views of Lago di Lugano. Gandria and Heleneum Park were our personal highlights. Of course, the hike Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail) can also be done in the opposite direction (Castagnola – Gandria). In the variant from Castagnola to Gandria you also have an hour, since the path is mostly straight.

Impressions: Sentiero dell’olivo (Olive Trail)

Find more pictures of our hike from Gandria to Castagnola.