The Castles of Bellinzona – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Aldesago Villaggio

Bike touring routes & trails

Switzerland

Ticino

The Castles of Bellinzona – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Aldesago Villaggio

Hard

4.2

(12)

165

riders

The Castles of Bellinzona – Old Town of Bellinzona loop from Aldesago Villaggio

05:34

81.0km

1,360m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that go up or down a series of steps

You may need to carry your bike.

After 36 m for 12 m

After 964 m for 15 m

After 80.1 km for 15 m

After 81.0 km for 12 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

23.6 km

Monte Ceneri

Mountain Pass

35.1 km

Ponte vecchio di Camorino

Highlight • Bridge

The bridge over the Morobbia, also called Ponte Vecchio or Old Bridge, was an important part of the Via Francesca or Via Maestra, which connected Bellinzona with Monte Ceneri and Magadino. The date of its construction is unknown. The Romanesque church of San Bartolomeo could be attributed to the existence of a bridge as early as the 13th century. The presence of a crossing was vital for the residents of Giubiasco, as it allowed them to reach the church on the opposite bank. In the Statutes of Como from 1335 there is mention of a bridge, perhaps that over the Morobbia, which was to be maintained by Camorino, Sant'Antonio and Giubiasco. The Ponte Vecchio is also depicted in a 17th-century painting from the Church of San Bartolomeo. In 1801, the engineer Francesco Meschini described two crossing points of the Morobbia. One of the two led up to the foot of Monte Morobbia, crossed the river over a stone bridge and continued to Giubiasco. It was a long, steep road that was only used when the river was in full flow.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

38.3 km

Castelgrande and Piazza del Sole, Bellinzona

Highlight • Castle

38.4 km

Bellinzona: Old Town and Castles

Highlight • Historical Site

The Fortress of Bellinzona and its Castles
Once upon a time, there were knights and drawbridges. Where? In Bellinzona, of course! Take a journey back in time and visit the castles, which were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000.
Arm yourself with a camera and discover Castel Grande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro. Tin-reinforced walls, towers, and enormous gates: you'll be catapulted straight into the Middle Ages! Dream of the knights' heroic deeds and immerse yourself in life back then. The Fortress of Bellinzona offers visitors a hands-on experience of medieval history.
You can purchase the Fortress Pass online, at the InfoPoint in Bellinzona, or at the ticket offices of the three castles. It allows you to visit the fortress and its walls, the Castel Grande Museum, the Archeologia Montebello exhibition trail, and the temporary exhibitions.
Are you primarily interested in visiting the exhibitions? Then buy the new Expo Pass: a combined ticket that grants access to the temporary exhibitions at Castel Grande, Sasso Corbaro, and the Museo Villa dei Cedri!
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Tourism
bellinzonaevalli.ch/de/discover/castles.html

Translated by Google •

Tip by

38.8 km

The Castles of Bellinzona

Highlight • Castle

The three medieval castles of Bellinzona are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbara are witnesses of a past in which Milanese dukes and confederates faced each other in arms.

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Tip by

39.0 km

Municipio di Bellinzona

Highlight • Settlement

The Palazzo Civico is an interesting historic building dating back to the city's Visconti period. Today, it houses Bellinzona's Town Hall.

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Tip by

39.2 km

Old Town of Bellinzona

Highlight • Historical Site

Bellinzona Old Town
With elegant churches, magnificent parks, and squares, Bellinzona's old town offers a fascinating insight into the region's history and culture. The remarkable post office building also reflects contemporary Ticino architecture.
Bellinzona undoubtedly deserves its reputation as the most authentic old town in Ticino. The popular "Viale Stazione" street, which leads directly from the train station and into the old town, makes access particularly easy and convenient.
An absolute highlight that shouldn't be missed is the 15th-century Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. It impresses with its elegance and houses a stunning Renaissance fresco that transports visitors back to a bygone era.
Bellinzona's old town also offers a variety of charming shops, cafés, and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine and the Ticino ambiance. The picturesque alleyways invite you to stroll and continually offer new discoveries. Not to be forgotten are the well-preserved city walls and castles that surround the old town, offering an interesting insight into medieval defensive architecture.
Text / Source: Bellinzona e Valli Turismo, Piazza Collegiata 12, Bellinzona
myswitzerland.com/de/erlebnisse/old-town-of-bellinzona

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Tip by

46.2 km