Driving the military track to Cima di Medeglia in Ticino
The road to Cima di Medeglia is a brutal military track that climbs out of the Bellinzona district. This is not your typical Swiss alpine road; it is a narrow, rugged path that follows the mountain crest with very little room for error. The surface is a mix of old broken asphalt and loose dirt that will make your tires hunt for grip, especially on the steep ramps. You need a vehicle with good clearance because the ruts and stones can easily catch the undercarriage if you try to take it too fast.
| Road facts: Cima di Medeglia | |
|---|---|
| Location | Ticino, Switzerland |
| Elevation | 1.260m (4,133ft) |
| Length | 4.1 km (2.5 miles) |
| Average Gradient | 10% |
Is the road to Cima di Medeglia paved?
Most of the climb from Calmagnone is a rough dirt road that gets worse as you gain altitude. While some sections might show old patches of pavement, they are mostly cracked and covered in debris. You will be driving on a mountain crest where the ground is often uneven. A 4x4 is highly recommended, not just for the traction but to handle the constant vibration and the sharp rocks that can slice through thin street tires. The road is tight, and in many spots, there is barely enough space to keep your wheels away from the edge while dodging the rocks sticking out of the hillside.
How steep is the drive to Cima di Medeglia?
The numbers don't lie: you are looking at an average gradient of 10% over 4 kilometers. This means your engine will be working hard in low gears for the entire trip. There are 7 hairpin turns that are extremely sharp; if you are driving a long wheelbase truck, you might find yourself having to reverse and shunt just to make the turn without putting a wheel over the drop-off. The climb is constant, and there are few places to pull over if your radiator starts to boil or if you meet a vehicle coming down the mountain.
What should you watch out for on the Cima di Medeglia road?
The main thing to keep an eye on is the vertical drop right at the edge of the track. There are no guardrails here, just a steep slope that falls away into the valley. You will also pass several old military bunkers and concrete structures built into the rock, which often mean the road gets even narrower or the ceiling of the tunnels is low. The weather in Ticino can bring heavy fog or sudden rain, turning the dirt into a slick surface where you can easily lose the back end if you are not careful with the throttle. Watch your oil pan on the higher sections where the ruts get deep from the furgonetes going up and down for maintenance work.