Monte Boglia
An easy hike up the Monte Boglia high above Lugano — a scenic border summit with views of the lake, the Denti della Vecchia and the southern Alps.
A viewing balcony above Lake Lugano
The Monte Boglia rises as a green viewing balcony above Lugano. From Brè Paese, the mountain village above the city, an engaging and undemanding path climbs up in a good hour and a half. At the top the view opens over Lake Lugano to the Bergamasque Alps. The descent via the Alpe Bolla and through the wide broadleaf forest is really the loveliest part of the loop; it leads down to Villa Luganese.
Tip: An ideal winter tour for mild days — often T-shirt warmth on the way up, but the windy summit can be bitingly cold, and the descent ices over quickly in frost. Bring layers.
How it went for me
In February the climb was so warm we went in T-shirts, while up on the Monte Boglia an icy wind met us. The way down was iced over in places — but the long, quiet stretch through the vast broadleaf forest from the Alpe Bolla made up for it.