The Giro d'Italia's only Swiss stage in 2026 is also its most architecturally compressed: 113 kilometres, 3,000 metres of climbing, and a summit finish that tests the legs in the way that only a short, steep Alpine climb can. Stage 16 starts in Bellinzona, climbs through a circuit twice, and finishes atop the Carì resort in the Leventina valley.
For cyclists wanting to follow or preview that route, Ticino is the southern gateway to the Swiss Alps — and one of Europe's least-promoted cycling destinations.
Bellinzona: The Start
Bellinzona is the capital of the Canton of Ticino and holds three UNESCO-listed medieval castles — Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro — on a ridge above the city. They were built as a linked defensive system guarding the Gotthard pass route north. The city is Italian-speaking, unhurried, and has none of the tourist saturation of Lugano or Locarno. Cafes, a Saturday market, direct rail access from Milan in under an hour.
The Gotthard valley opens immediately north of the city, which is why the Giro enters Switzerland here and immediately begins climbing.
The Stage 16 Route
From Bellinzona the peloton climbs northeast into the hills above the city, entering a 22km circuit that is covered twice. The circuit includes two climbs in succession: the first moderate, the second — Leontica — with sustained gradients above 8% on the upper third. Covering the circuit twice means any rider already in difficulty on the first pass faces the same climbs again on the second. That accumulated stress is the race design's central mechanism.
After the circuit, the route descends into the Gotthard valley and climbs steadily through Faido before beginning the 12km final ascent to Carì. The last three kilometres average around 8%, with maximum gradients of 13% near the summit. Carì sits on a broad alpine terrace at over 1,600 metres.
To ride the Carì climb yourself: start from Faido. The road up to Carì is well-maintained, sealed to the resort, and used primarily by local traffic and cyclists. Morning departures before 08:00 avoid the weekend traffic window. The climb takes 55–75 minutes depending on pace.
Connect with training partners, earn travel miles, and discover terrain worth crossing borders for.
Join ZealZagFollow us on InstagramBeyond Stage 16: The Wider Ticino Terrain
Passo del San Gottardo (2,106m) is the classic climb. From Airolo (one valley north of Faido), the road to the pass is 13 kilometres at an average of around 7%. The old military road — partially cobbled, bypassing the modern road tunnel — is the authentic version. Napoleon used this pass. The cobbled sections are manageable on road bike tyres at low speed; descend carefully.
Val Verzasca is a lateral valley north of Locarno. The valley road follows a crystal-clear glacial river with largely car-free stretches in the upper section. The road is sealed throughout. The dam at the valley's lower end is famous for reasons unrelated to cycling; the ride above it is the reason to go.
Lugano lakeside loop — approximately 70km on the Swiss-Italian border, combining Swiss road quality with Italian lake-town aesthetics. Ramps through Carona and Montagnola add useful elevation variation. The lakeside section between Lugano and Gandria is the ride's best stretch.
Monte Tamaro and the Cadenazzo plateau — rolling roads accessible from Bellinzona, good for tempo efforts with enough gradient variation to maintain intensity.
Where to Base
Bellinzona is the practical choice for Stage 16 access. Three minutes from the race start to the first categorised section. Rail access to Milan and Zürich without a car.
Locarno on Lake Maggiore is 25 minutes west and provides a more complete tourism base with ferry access to the Borromean islands. A reasonable choice for athletes combining cycling with a lake stage.
Lugano (45 minutes south) is the largest Ticino city, with the full range of hotel options, direct rail access to Milan in about 45 minutes, and the best restaurant density in the canton.
When to Go
April and May are the best months for Stage 16 terrain — roads dry, passes opening, temperatures manageable. Stage 16 will run in 32°C heat in the valley; cyclists replicating it in April face temperatures roughly 10 degrees cooler.
September and October offer dry weather and lighter tourist traffic. The high passes remain open through October in most years.
Avoid January–March above 1,000 metres; lower valley roads remain rideable but the climbs see snow.
Bouldering Extension
The Cresciano and Chironico outdoor bouldering areas are within 45 minutes of Bellinzona — see our Switzerland bouldering guide for detail on those destinations.
Frequently Asked
Do I need a Swiss motorway vignette to drive in Ticino? Yes. The annual vignette (approximately CHF 40) is required for motorway use and is available at border crossings and petrol stations.
What's the Carì road surface like? Well-maintained tarmac to the summit. Consistent gradient with no surprise steep ramps beyond the 13% maximum near the top. The switchbacks are wide.
Can I connect to Italy from Ticino by bike? Yes — multiple border crossings. The Locarno-to-Luino lake crossing is the most scenic. The main Chiasso/Como crossing is functional but carries heavy traffic.
For the Giro rest day report and GC standings, see our Giro rest day dispatch.
