• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expat
  • Blog
    • General
    • Events
    • Waterfalls
    • Hiking
  • Cantons
    • Basel
    • Bern
    • Luzern
    • Ticino
    • Valais
    • Vaud
    • Zug
    • Zurich
  • Collaborate With Us
Together In Switzerland logo

Together In Switzerland

All Things Swiss

Hiking Route: Ascona To The Balladrum Viewpoint

Zoe| Hiking

For a gorgeous, fun and slightly challenging hiking route, you can follow the local hiking paths from Ascona all the way to the viewpoint of Balladrum. This forestry route is perfect for those who want to take a hiking path for a few hours, to enjoy stunning views at the end of it. This scenic spot is a must for those visiting Ascona and want to see Lake Maggiore from above too!

Ascona To Balladrum: Facts

Before you start hiking this route, it’s best to prepare yourself based on your level of hiking experience. The route is challenging, you should take drinks with you and dress appropriately. More information about the route includes:

  • It’s roughly 6km long when walking to the top and back from Ascona (the way we hiked it)
  • Fun but also moderately challenging
  • Some sections are on pathed tarmac, but the rest is through forestry terrain with huge rocks and dirt
  • Not accessible for those in a wheelchair or with difficulties walking – but the tarmac section to another viewpoint is (more shared below)
  • Perfect for a summers day!

Most of the route can also be found on AllTrails app, with our route starting from Ascona whereas their’s start from Monte Verità.

Hiking Up From Ascona To Monte Verità

From Ascona village, you can hike directly up from the lakeside following the yellow signs to Monte Verità. This route is mostly with stairs all the way from the village, passing lots of local houses along the way. The part of the route already gains a lot of elevation. With the views of Ascona village already proving the beauty of the canton.

If you are more curious about Ascona in general, check our top 9 beautiful reasons to visit!

Forest Walks from monte Verità To Balladrum

From being near Monte Verità, you can then see the yellow signs showing Balladrum as the next destination. We decided to follow the ‘Zurich Vitaparcours – Monte Verità‘ route from there, which lead us up the mountain side alongside the very small river. It’s a beautiful forest route that starts near the Parco Parsifal, which you can park at if you are visiting by car.

Top tip: This park area has a public toilet building, so its best to pop here before you continue hiking if you need to go!

For those in a wheelchair or if you have difficulty walking, you can follow the pathed route to a different viewpoint from Parco Parsifal. Search on google for the ‘Ascona Viewpoint’ along the Via Gottardo Madonna path to reach it.

After starting the forestry route from the Parco Parsifal parking area, you will encounter the rocks shortly after. So this part is fun but also the challenging section. The route has some pathed elements but at least 50% is also just a rough path where you follow the rocks and tree roots. In certain sections, it doesn’t even look like a route, more like an old river of rocks in all directions. But don’t give up, take your time and you can reach the top safely.

Balladrum Viewpoint

Reaching the top of the rocky viewpoint is the best feeling ever, especially on a clear sunny day. The rock formation at the top is easy to climb and sit on. There are also two small wooden planks that someone has placed here to sit on easily.

From the Balladrum viewpoint, you can see clearly down to Locarno on one side, and down towards Ronco sopra Ascona and Brissago in the distance. You can also see the village and Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate church from the local village inland too.

The full drone shot from the Balladrum viewpoint
Dawid on the rock near the Ascona viewpoint
A yellow flower at the top of the Balladrum viewpoint
Bumble bee on one of the pink plants at the viewpoint
Stones at the top of the Balladrum viewpoint
Locarno visible from the Balladrum viewpoint

From Balladrum, you can consider hiking the same way down. Alternatively, we suggest to follow the other way down back to Ascona as shared on the yellow signposts. This takes you back through some of the forest, before joining the tarmac route with viewpoints too, back down to Parco Parsifal.

Curious for video footage? Check our drone footage from the top of viewpoint here:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by dzisky@aerial (@dzisky.aerial)

Summary

This hike was great for exploring from Ascona into the nature. We hiked this on a Saturday on a hot summers day. From the Parco Parsifal to the top and back we saw only around 7 people total, so it was not a busy route on a weekend.

As well as the stunning views and gorgeous weather, we enjoyed also the local wildlife and peace throughout the route. There were lots of lizards, bumble bees, beetles and butterflies. A beautiful route for some nature photography!

Tips:

  • always wear suitable shoes for hiking
  • take lots of water, sports drink and snacks with you
  • dress appropriately for the weather – suncream or a jacket etc!
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin22
22 Shares
← Previous Post
Next Post →

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Ciao, I’m Zoe!

Zoe Together In Switzerland

I’m a native Brit-turned-Dutch expat living in Ticino, Switzerland with my boyfriend and kitty cat since 2022.

Our site highlights our most fun adventures and experiences while exploring local life in Switzerland.

Enjoy!

Follow Along

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Swiss Travels!

2022

  • Basel – April 2022
  • Zurich – April 2022
  • Chiasso – September 2022
  • Zermatt – November 2022
  • Zurich – December 2022

 

2023

  • Vaud – January 2023
  • Rest – Let’s see!

Popular Posts

Winter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To DoWinter In Lugano: Snowy Viewpoints, Christmas Festivities and Warm Things To Do
Zermatt In Winter: Things To Do For Non-SkiersZermatt In Winter: Things To Do For Non-Skiers
The Best Locations To Visit Switzerland In 2023The Best Locations To Visit Switzerland In 2023
9 Beautiful Reasons To Visit Ascona, Switzerland9 Beautiful Reasons To Visit Ascona, Switzerland
Moving To Switzerland: Everything You Need To KnowMoving To Switzerland: Everything You Need To Know
Best Places To Stay In Lugano SwitzerlandBest Places To Stay In Lugano Switzerland
Morcote Switzerland: One Of The Prettiest Villages In TicinoMorcote Switzerland: One Of The Prettiest Villages In Ticino
What Time Is It In Lugano Switzerland?What Time Is It In Lugano Switzerland?
Our Guide To Hidden Gem: LavertezzoOur Guide To Hidden Gem: Lavertezzo
Discover The Village of Gandria, LuganoDiscover The Village of Gandria, Lugano

Instagram

From 1st Feb we'll be watching these @lakelugano b From 1st Feb we'll be watching these @lakelugano boats sail around the lake every day, because... 😍
....Today we started moving house 🏡! 
Everything has been amazingly fast, from viewing the place only 18 days ago, signing the contract, and of course spending our recent evenings packing. 
We've had a great experience with a local broker too and will share a new expat blogpost soon about it all.
We will be staying in Lugano 🇨🇭, but closer to the city with a view of Lake Lugano. Very exciting! ❤️ 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Frosty evenings in Lucerne 🇨🇭❄️ We took Frosty evenings in Lucerne 🇨🇭❄️
We took this photo last weekend when we visited the @lichtfestivalluzern and city. It was at least -7°c when we headed back to the hotel for bed that night. Brrr! ❄️
We do love the city though, a pretty destination for a day trip with some great restaurants, shops and things to do. 🇨🇭
Dinner tip: Head to Pacifico for a delicious Mexican dinner 🌮
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lucerne #lucerne_switzerland #lakelucerne #mylucerne #lucerneswitzerland🇨🇭 #luzern🇨🇭 #luzerncity #luzernlake #luzernswitzerland #luzerntourismus #ig_luzern #instalucerne #luzernphotography #winterinlucerne #frostyevening #sunsetpornography #reflectiongrams #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #swisslifestyle #swisstravel #swisstraveler
The Chateau-d'eox Hot Air Balloon Festival 2023 🎈🇨🇭
What a fun event to visit in the Vaud canton of Switzerland. You can see more than 50 hot air balloons, enjoy a helicopter flight (we did this!), eat and drink all the refreshments, watch the air show and visit the local exhibition. 
It's from 21st January to 29th January 2023 only, so make a visit this weekend coming else save for next year! 🎈🎉
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#chateaudoex #chateaudoexballoonfestival #fibchax #fibchax2023 #hotairballoon #hotairballoonfestival #hotairballoons #vaud #myvaud #vaudoenotourisme #vaudtourisme #vaudregion #cantonvaud #switzerlandtravel #switzerland_vacations #swisslifestyle #swissexpat #switzerlandmylove #swisslocal #swisstravelblogger
Buongiorno! Monte Tamaro this morning has a fresh Buongiorno! Monte Tamaro this morning has a fresh layer of fluffy white snow! ☃️❄️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#togetherinswitzerland #swissexpat #swisstravel #swisslife🇨🇭 #montetamaro #montetamaro🇨🇭 #ticinomoments #tessintourismus #ticinoturismo #ticinoswitzerland #hikingswitzerland #hikingmountains #tessin #inlovewithswitzerland #insta_switzerland #hikinggram #swissmountain #switzerlandtravel #switzerland_pics #switzerlandmylove #cantonticino #visitticino #swissblog #ticinosnow #snowinticino
Sometimes we wake up with a realization that we ac Sometimes we wake up with a realization that we actually live in Switzerland, that it's not still just a dream 😅
We stood here at one of the viewpoints at the top of @montesansalvatore while admiring Lugano below. The sun had just disappeared, showing off the last of the remaining low clouds ☁️
.📍 Monte San Salvatore, Ticino 
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #montebre #montesansalvatore
Summer Vibes in Lugano 🇨🇭 . . . . . . . .. . Summer Vibes in Lugano 🇨🇭
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
From 1st Feb we'll be watching these @lakelugano b From 1st Feb we'll be watching these @lakelugano boats sail around the lake every day, because... 😍
....Today we started moving house 🏡! 
Everything has been amazingly fast, from viewing the place only 18 days ago, signing the contract, and of course spending our recent evenings packing. 
We've had a great experience with a local broker too and will share a new expat blogpost soon about it all.
We will be staying in Lugano 🇨🇭, but closer to the city with a view of Lake Lugano. Very exciting! ❤️ 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Frosty evenings in Lucerne 🇨🇭❄️ We took Frosty evenings in Lucerne 🇨🇭❄️
We took this photo last weekend when we visited the @lichtfestivalluzern and city. It was at least -7°c when we headed back to the hotel for bed that night. Brrr! ❄️
We do love the city though, a pretty destination for a day trip with some great restaurants, shops and things to do. 🇨🇭
Dinner tip: Head to Pacifico for a delicious Mexican dinner 🌮
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#lucerne #lucerne_switzerland #lakelucerne #mylucerne #lucerneswitzerland🇨🇭 #luzern🇨🇭 #luzerncity #luzernlake #luzernswitzerland #luzerntourismus #ig_luzern #instalucerne #luzernphotography #winterinlucerne #frostyevening #sunsetpornography #reflectiongrams #switzerlandtravel #togetherinswitzerland #swisslifestyle #swisstravel #swisstraveler
Snow on snow on snow ☃️ Today another throwba Snow on snow on snow ☃️
Today another throwback to the fluffy snow at the top of Monte Bré in November 2021 ❄️
Such a picture perfect location with the restaurant's yellow building! 💛
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2022 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #montebre
Are you a winter or summer lover? I can't decide a Are you a winter or summer lover? I can't decide as I love both just as much 😅☃️
Here we were on the @gornergrat train going up to the top for the views! The train was absolutely packed with tourists since it was weekend, but enjoyable regardless! 🗻❄️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#zermatt #matterhorn #zermattmatterhorn #zermattswitzerland #zermattunplugged #matterhornmonday #matterhornmountain #matterhornglacierparadise #matterhornview #matterhorngotthardbahn #gornergrat #gornergratbahn #gornergratmatterhorn🇨🇭🇨🇭🇨🇭 #swisstravel #swisslife🇨🇭 #zermatt🇨🇭 #swissmountainview #ig_switzerland
First Snow in Lugano for December 2022 ☃️ 
📍Cadro, Lugano, Switzerland ❄️
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2022 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #cadro
Summer Vibes in Lugano 🇨🇭 . . . . . . . .. . Summer Vibes in Lugano 🇨🇭
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin
Bré in the warm sunshine today ☀️ We enjoyed Bré in the warm sunshine today ☀️
We enjoyed a short walk around Bré and Monte Bré to the viewpoint today. The sunshine was warm and the snow was melting! But we hope to see more snow come to Lugano again soon! ☃️
📍 Bré, Lugano, Switzerland 
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2022 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #montebre #montebrè #montebrelugano
Buongiorno Lugano! 🇨🇭 Wishing you all a love Buongiorno Lugano! 🇨🇭 Wishing you all a lovely Tuesday! 
Last night was very windy but we are happy to see blue skies. I didn't check the weather forecast but I was expecting more rain 😅
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
..
#luganoswitzerland #luganolake #luganolake🇨🇭 #switzerlandtravel #swisstravel #travelcouplelife #luganoregion #luganomycity  #lugano2023 #switzerlandwonderland #luganoregion #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #ticino #swisstourism #luganophotographer #luganoturismo #luganocity #lugano🇨🇭 #lakelugano #ticinoswitzerland #cantonticino #visitswitzerland #ticinoturismo #ticinomoments #togetherinswitzerland #tessin #montebre

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Dancing Lights At Lilu Light Festival Luzern
  • Exploring the Winter Wonderland of Chateau-d’Oex Switzerland
  • Valentines Day In Switzerland
  • Chateau-d’Oex Hot Air Balloon Festival Switzerland
  • Top 10 Mountains You Can Hike In Switzerland During Spring

Copyright

© Together In Switzerland, 2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Zoe and Togetherinswitzerland.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Copyright © 2023 · Your Site Name

Florence Theme by Code + Coconut