Ticino, from Villa Luganese to Rosone, under the Denti della Vecchia

May 8 - Hike from Villa Luganese to Rosone, under the "Denti della Vecchia"

 The Denti Della Vecchia (the old lady's teeth as they call those mountains.)

It was easy to begin this hike since we just took the 461 ARL bus from Pregassona to Villa Luganese, which is just up the road and back towards the end of the valley. When we got off the bus, we really didn't know which way we would go. I saw a group of homes up on the mountainside so we decided to go there! It was an area called Rosone. 

 This time, the sentiero signs were along the road, so we just kept hiking upwards and it was quite easy since we were on a road. I really enjoy using my Gallileo offline maps on my iPhone, since I can check where I am by satellite at any time. It works quickly and without internet or any data use! 

 Up and up we go. The Denti on the left, and in the distance a couple of shimmering spots of Lake Lugano. There are many meadows up here and also mountain homes. 

The highest point we went to was basically at the end of the road - a place called Petrolzo. I believe there was a farm up there that made and sold cheese. I know that you can just go to these mountain farms and buy cheese directly from them. Unfortunately they were no open at the time we were there. 

 At the point of the cheese farm, there was a sentiero (path) sign heading down a dirt road which said 1 hour to Sonvico. It also pointed back the way we came and said 1 hour to Sonvico. Sonvico is basically next to Villa Luganese. I preferred to hike the new route back. We followed the road which came to an end - well, it continued (and there were cars parked there) but there was a barrier and it said private. But I saw the sentiero sign pointing downwards through the forest, so we went! This path at this point was not as well defined, on the ground, but there were many markings on the trees, so we had no problem. 

Rick was a bit hesitant, but come on! We've done this before! 

Then we came out in the pasture in the picture above. We found a nice rock which naturally formed a chair and ate our snacks. 

 At the edge of that meadow the path continued down towards a stream. How long have these signs been on this tree? Quite funny! 

 Rick, after crossing the river. Half of the little bridge was out, but rocks placed in just the right place helped. And so did my hiking sticks! 

 In this picture we can see Monte Tamaro in the distance, with snow. As we had walked through the woods, we could see a number of old, abandoned stone houses. It's amazing to think there were people living all over in the mountains so many years ago. A very difficult life! 

 Little farms dot the landscape

 The Denti della Vecchia are really impressive when you see them towering right in front of you! 

Typical orange sentiero signs. Usually just orange signs mean it's an easy walk. Signs with red and white means there is some up and down, rocks or tree roots for steps. I've never had a problem with the red and white sign trails. If you ever see a hiking sign with blue, you better be a skilled mountain climber! 

 The spring flowers in the meadows are abundant and beautiful! 

 A little farm under the Denti della Vecchia

 We made our way back to Villa Luganese - we had hiked for a total of 4 hours! TIRED! I took this picture from the cemetery in town, because you can see where we had hiked - the area called Rosone. 

Look in the center of the picture on the green mountain on the left half of the picture. There are a few white dots in the green trees. That's Rosone, and the cheese farm was up towards that open area a little up and right of Rosone. 

It was a far walk! 

The outside of the church in Villa Luganese has arched porticos which have frescos on them. It's so amazing to see the date - 1577!

It was 5:15pm when we had arrived back in Villa Luganese. We walked around until 5:30 when the Grotto degli Amici opened. It is an adorable grotto with outside seating under huge trees.  Rick enjoyed some ice cream and I had a panaché. I don't know if they served panaché in the US - it's 1/2 beer and 1/2 sprite or 7-up or lemonade. It's really good and refreshing! It's also worth going inside the grotto restaurant, as it is SO charming inside! We plan to go back to eat dinner there some evening. 

The ARL 461 bus leaves from right across the street from the Grotto every half hour, so this is a convenient place to go from our home in Pregassona. 

A super day!