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Runners Discover Three Premier Routes Across Lugano's Lake and Mountains
Lugano's best running follows the Lake Lugano lakefront promenade past Parco Ciani, takes the lakeside Olive Path to the car-free village of Gandria, and climbs Monte Brè, reputed to be one of Switzerland's sunniest spots.
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Lugano offers a genuine split between a flat, spectacular lakefront and steep mountain trails, all framed by Lake Lugano and the surrounding Alps. Here are the best running routes in Lugano for 2026.
The Lungolago and Parco Ciani
The Lungolago lakefront promenade offers a flat, paved waterfront run, starting in Paradiso and running north into the centre with continuous Lake Lugano views toward Monte San Salvatore, part of a popular roughly 14.4 kilometre loop along the lake shores. It connects directly to Parco Ciani, Lugano's largest lakeside park, with manicured gravel and paved paths, tree-lined avenues and centenary trees, flat, shaded and a natural loop off the lakefront.
The Olive Path to Gandria
The Sentiero dell'Olivo, or Olive Path, runs from Lugano along the shore through Castagnola to the car-free fishing village of Gandria, on mixed paved and dirt surface with gentle gain, roughly 3 to 4 kilometres one way, with longer variants around 9 to 10 kilometres round trip, passing interpretive olive-grove signage.
Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore
From Gandria, a steep zig-zag climbs to the Monte Brè summit at 925 metres, about 4.3 kilometres with roughly 650 metres of gain, a hard trail-running ascent to a panorama over the Bay of Lugano toward the Alps. Monte Brè is reputed to be one of Switzerland's sunniest spots. On the other side of the bay, steep dirt trails climb Monte San Salvatore, the "Sugarloaf" of Lake Lugano at 912 metres, from Paradiso, with 360-degree views from the summit.
Running the StraLugano Route
StraLugano is the region's signature race, with its 2026 edition on 26 to 27 September, its half marathon a World Athletics-certified, fast, flat, linear course starting on Via Nassa. The Lugano region maintains more than 900 kilometres of signposted trails and 17 curated running routes.
Practical Guide to Running in Lugano
The Lungolago and Parco Ciani are the most reliable, most scenic choices for a flat run; Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore are worth the climb for anyone wanting genuine mountain elevation and summit views.
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