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Family-Friendly Hikes near Varese

There are 5 hikes near Varese in our database that fit. They average 2.8 km and 43 m (141 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.1 km.

That is 17 percent of the 29 routes we map near Varese. They are shorter than the local average, 2.8 km against 13.8 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 43 m (141 ft) against 492 m (1,614 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Caslano, Tessin, Switzerland - Downtown. In the background Monte Lema (1621 m) and Poncione di Breno (1653 m)
Easy

Caslano - Monte Caslano

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
323 m
Typical duration
43 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Caslano, Tessin, Switzerland - Downtown. In the background Monte Lema (1621 m) and Poncione di Breno (1653 m)
Easy

Giro/Tour Monte Caslano

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
4.4 km
/ 2.8 mi
Elevation gain
95 m
Typical duration
1 hr 4 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
A train of the Monte Generoso Railway heading downhill from the passing loop at Bellavista railway station. For more information, see Wikipedia article Monte Generoso Railway .
Easy

Alpe di Melano-Bellavista

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
546 m
Typical duration
30 min
  • Alpine meadow
  • Waymarked route
Pizzo Leone
Easy

Alpe Naccio - Termine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
38 min
  • Alpine meadow
  • Waymarked route
Vista sul lago Maggiore dall'alpetto Caviano
Easy

144E Variante Alpetto

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
6 min
  • Waymarked route
Former FART BZ2 305 (built in 1896 for the Rhaetian Railway; in service on the FRT/LPB/SSIF network from 1921 until 1965) on display at "Riposo" campsite in Losone.
Easy

Astrovia Locarno

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
6.1 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
57 m
Typical duration
1 hr 21 min
  • Waymarked route
Gridon
Easy

Bordei - Rasa

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
395 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Waymarked route
Re 484 015 passing through Quartino station (Municipality of Gambarogno, formerly Magadino).
Easy

Bruno - Quartino

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.8 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
635 m
Typical duration
55 min
  • Waymarked route
Carona - Chiesa di San Giorgio - Volta
Easy

Cureggia - Bré

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
89 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Waymarked route
Municipality's wash house, locality Salmina, Intragna (Switzerland).
Easy

Dorca - Maia

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
375 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Waymarked route
Municipality's wash house, locality Salmina, Intragna (Switzerland).
Easy

Dorca - Remagliaseo

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
258 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Waymarked route
Nacc
Easy

Dorca - Termine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
65 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Waymarked route
A street scene at a high level in the village of Gandria, on Lake Lugano in Switzerland. This is as close to the water as road vehicles can reach. For more information, see the Wikipedia article Gandria .
Easy

Gandria - Castagnola

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
173 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Waymarked route
The quayside at the village of Gandria, on Lake Lugano in Switzerland, as seen from an approaching vessel of the Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano. For more information, see the Wikipedia articles Gandria and Società Navigazione del La
Easy

Gandria - Gandria

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.2 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
6 min
  • Waymarked route
Ascona to Isole Brissago Ferry, on Lake Maggiorre in Ticino, Switzerland
Easy

Giro Lungolago Ascona

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
6.5 km
/ 4.0 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
1 hr 23 min
  • Waymarked route
Slmmnps 31 85 4734 107-9 CH-RTS of Rail Transport Service GmbH in Contone.
Easy

Golene - Alta Monda

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
2.5 km
/ 1.6 mi
Typical duration
37 min
  • Waymarked route
auf der Brücke
Easy

Magadino - Orgnana

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
168 m
Typical duration
13 min
  • Waymarked route
Via Vallemaggia, Locarno. Vue partielle du cimetière.
Easy

Maggia Delta Solduno

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
46 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Waymarked route
Stone arch railway bridge at Sassalto.
Easy

Monti - Rasa

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Waymarked route
Rasa ist ein kleines Bergdorf im Centovalli in der Schweiz und gehört zur Tessiner Gemeinde Intragna bzw. seit Oktober 2009 zur vergrößerten Gemeinde Centovalli. Das autofreie Dorf liegt auf ca. 900 m ü. M. Im Dorf leben heute ganzjährig et
Easy

Monti - Termine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
0.7 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
10 min
  • Waymarked route
Nacc
Easy

Naccio - Termine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
124 m
Typical duration
46 min
  • Waymarked route
Wanderwegweiser Orgnana 355, Gambarogno TI
Easy

Orgnana - Bruno

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
33 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Waymarked route
Re 484 015 passing through Quartino station (Municipality of Gambarogno, formerly Magadino).
Easy

Orgnana - Quartino

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
3.0 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
240 m
Typical duration
44 min
  • Waymarked route
Rasa ist ein kleines Bergdorf im Centovalli in der Schweiz und gehört zur Tessiner Gemeinde Intragna bzw. seit Oktober 2009 zur vergrößerten Gemeinde Centovalli. Das autofreie Dorf liegt auf ca. 900 m ü. M. Im Dorf leben heute ganzjährig et
Easy

Progia - Termine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Typical duration
13 min
  • Waymarked route
Rifugio San Lucio, Schutzhütte auf dem Gebiet von Porlezza (Como) IT: ehemalige Kaserne der italienischen Grenzwacht
Easy

Alpe Colmine

Ticino · Switzerland

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
338 m
Typical duration
37 min
  • Alpine meadow

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Caslano - Monte CaslanoTicino3.0 km323 m43 minEasyApril to October
Crossifico - Monte Casolo (I) ? / Porto Ceresio (I) ? - fixmeTicino0.9 km57 m13 minEasyApril to October
Giro/Tour Monte CaslanoTicino4.4 km95 m1 hr 4 minEasyApril to October
Monte Brè - Bellavista? / St.ne Brè Paese? - fixmeTicino0.9 km96 m13 minEasyApril to October
Alpe di Melano-BellavistaTicino2.1 km546 m30 minEasyApril to October
Alpe Naccio - TermineTicino2.6 km26 m38 minEasyApril to October
Magadino - Ponte Fiume Ticino QuartinoTicino3.2 kmflat46 minEasyApril to October
144E Variante AlpettoTicino0.5 km62 m6 minEasyApril to October
Astrovia LocarnoTicino6.1 km57 m1 hr 21 minEasyApril to October
Bordei - RasaTicino3.1 km395 m45 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Alpe Naccio - Termine, Alpe di Melano-Bellavista, Astrovia Locarno. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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