Sunday Adventures to val Colla

Sundays are proving to be the day for hikes. However, sometimes we need to rethink that idea. Saturdays are always beautiful and then Sunday rolls around and there are clouds on the mountains and the temperture has dropped. We keep telling ourselves that once we are at the top it makes everything worthwhile.

This past Sunday, we went on an adventure. Tim had heard from another faculty member that there was a beautiful hike starting in Colla. Early Sunday morning we ventured out in the renta car that still has a single heated seat (I swear something is wrong with it) in search of Val Colla. After many turns and circles of Lugano we came across a sign for Pregassona, which was heading in the general direction. Eventually, signs appeared that pointed in the right direction and we were able to sit back and enjoy the scenery. As we left the city behind us, the trees began to change colors and there was a feeling of fall. Our conversations lead to cider mills, apples and donuts and a little reminiscing of home in autumn. About 45 minutes later, we spotted the church that was the landmark for the start of our hike and parked the car.

As I got out of the car, the cool wind hit me, and I had a strong desire for my hat. I went digging in Tim's bag for a few more layers and to my surprise, there was nothing there. Somehow, the layers had been left behind. We chatted for a while about temperature and what we had available and decided that we would start up the mountain and turn back if it was too cold. We did have one hat and an extra coat, almost enough for the temperatures that we eventually faced. We should have known when we started that the reality of turning around before the top was slim to none when it comes to us or at least me.


Colla is 1,011 m in elevation. Our destination was Camoghe a mear 2,218m up, not to bad. It was posted as a four hour hike. We were told though, that wasn't the case and we should be able to make it at a quicker speed. That would have been the truth if we didn't get a little lost. We started off heading up a bunch of stairs that left the right thigh burning. They were just big enough to have to take an extra step in the middle causing every step up to be made with the same leg. I could definitely do without the stairs while hiking. However, the trick of walking in a zig zag has helped me out a little, I don't complain as much.


Anyhow, getting lost. We were strolling along, looking at the trees that had changed, talking away, when we realized that we were no longer on a marked path. We still are not sure how this happened, but oh well. We continued walking through the trees, over a little stream, which I promptly stepped in soaking my foot to my ankle. My boots were not as water proof as I thought. This same little stream flowing down the mountain side was surrounded by icicles that were not going to melt anytime soon. Just to paint a picture of just how cold it was where we were hiking. A little after the stream, the path we thought we were following disappeared completely. We were faced with the side of a mountain, covered in grass up to our ankles and we had to decide which way to go. Up seemed logical. At this point we started to follow little red lines on the rocks. A very close resemblence to the red and white lines that mark all trails in Switzerland. I kept telling Tim we were on the right path, I really don't think he believed me. Eventually, we came out to an opening where we could see our destination clearly. I was getting a little nervous about how we were going to find our way down because we truely were not following anything and we just came out of trees that looked like the trees to the right and left of us. As we contemplated our next direction, we noticed a hut and some hikers a little to our right, which brought on a feeling of excitement. We had found our way once again and reached a trail marker. A logical place to stop and we were able to enjoy the view of distant Lugano and the surrounding mountains, with a snack of peanut M&M's. Which we ate about every 30 minutes or so. A very healthy lunch and energy booster.

We were about an hour into the hike and the temperature wasn't to bad yet. I had confiscated Tim's hat and he was feeling quilty about wearing his coat, but both of us were to stubborn to admit that we wanted to turn around because we could no longer feel our fingers or faces. The M&M's helped give us warmth. At this point we were on the trail and every red and white marker was exciting and promising. We continued to come across the yellow signs telling us our elevations and updated travel times. At one point, the trail started to head down into a valley, in the shade and the whipping wind. I wasn't a happy camper, but we chugged on into the sunshine ahead. The last half hour of the hike consisted of loose rock and steep paths. I was moving rather slowly, hoping the wind would stop. Every time we switched back, and the wind went from hitting my face to my back, I looked up and told myself we were almost there. We passed a group of hikers enjoying the sunshine, protected from the wind by the mountain side. Eventually we passed behind a wall of rock, with the hope of being out of the wind, not so much. Climbed down a few boulders and reached our destination; Camoghe 2,218 m.


It was absolutely beautiful and as I mentioned well worth it. To our right there was a clear view of the valley below were we could pick out the surrounding towns and the autostrada running up the middle. To the left was continuous mountains and just a little snow. Not to cold, maybe.


All in all it was a great hike, with great views. The walk down was much more enjoyable as far as temperatures go. The wind was at our backs, the sun was high over head, and feeling came back into my fingers about half way down. I successfully found two streams to step in and Tim only rolled his ankle once. Overall, it was a great day, full of adventures and many funny stories from beginning to end.