A moderate length and marked elevation gain are the characteristics of this stage that takes the Sentiero Italia to the southern shore of Lake Lugano. Starting from Marchirolo, a gently ascending path leads up to the village of Marzio before entering a trail through dense forests that leads below the summit of Monte Piambello at around 1000 meters, followed by a steeper descent towards Lake Lugano, before veering parallel to the shore towards the village of Porto Ceresio.