Over the Alps from south to north: about 173 kilometers from Locarno through Ticino over the Gotthard region to Emmetten on Lake Lucerne – a demanding, alpine connecting route into central Switzerland.
The Ticino Connecting Route links the south of Switzerland with central Switzerland, crossing the Alps on the way. From Locarno with the pilgrimage church of Madonna del Sasso it runs north over Bellinzona and Biasca up the Leventina valley to Airolo, over the Gotthard region to Andermatt, and through the Reuss valley of Uri over Amsteg and Seedorf to Emmetten above Lake Lucerne.
With over 5,000 meters of climb and a high point around 2,108 meters, it is one of the most alpine of the Swiss Ways of St. James.
Ideal if you seek the high mountains: an alpine route with large elevation changes, leading from Mediterranean-flavored Ticino over the Gotthard into the heart of Switzerland. Sure-footedness, fitness and good gear are needed here.
Less suitable if you expect flat, easy stages or consistently dense services: the alpine sections are demanding, and the highest passages only make sense in the snow-free season.
The route starts at the Madonna del Sasso above Locarno and follows the valley to Bellinzona with its castles. Over Biasca and Giornico it climbs the Leventina to Dalpe and Airolo at the foot of the Gotthard.
Over the Gotthard region it reaches Andermatt, then descends through the Reuss valley of Uri over Amsteg and Seedorf and ends in Emmetten above Lake Lucerne.
At about 173 kilometers with over 5,000 meters of climb, the Ticino Connecting Route is markedly more alpine than most other Swiss Ways of St. James. Plan for about 8–10 days. The high-alpine sections around the Gotthard lie above 2,000 meters – so the best season is summer and early autumn, when the heights are free of snow.
The Ticino Connecting Route ends in central Switzerland at Emmetten on Lake Lucerne, joining the Swiss pilgrim network from the south. From here you can walk on through central Switzerland toward the pilgrim hub of Einsiedeln and the Via Jacobi, the main Swiss axis.
Because of the high-alpine sections, the best time is summer to early autumn. Watch the weather, the snow situation at altitude, and bring good mountain gear. Accommodation is in guesthouses and pilgrim lodgings; a pilgrim credential is useful. Where the route diverges, always follow the official Way of St. James signs on the ground.
Switzerland is expensive. Budget roughly €60–100 per day for lodging, plus food; simple lodgings and self-catering lower the cost.
The starting point is Locarno in Ticino, easily reached by train; from Emmetten you return to the rail network via central Switzerland.
The Swiss Ways of St. James are maintained by the association Jakobsweg Schweiz – Compostelle Suisse (formerly "jakobsweg.ch", renamed after its 2026 merger with "Les Amis"). The association waymarks and maintains the routes, trains pilgrim guides and publishes route booklets and the pilgrim credential.
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