Lake Maggiore Access All Year Round | Frontaliere Ticino
Lake Maggiore Access All Year Round — free tools and expert guides for cross-border workers (frontalieri) between Switzerland and Italy. Compare salaries, tax, LAMal health insurance, pensions, and cost of living in Ticino. Updated 2026.
Context
On March 21, 2026, approximately 100 people gathered for a "collective walk" in Tenero-Contra and Minusio, on Lake Maggiore, to demand free access to the beaches all year round. The event, organized by the Young Greens, drew attention to the current situation, where the shores of these municipalities are only accessible during the winter months, while in the summer, much of these areas are reserved for tourists staying in lakeside campsites. Protesters expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that the law should guarantee access to the local population and not just tourists. "We don't want to take anything away from anyone, but simply give the population what belongs to the population," stated a spokesperson for the Young Greens. The upcoming closure of the "Shore Path" in Tenero, scheduled for next week, prompted protesters to take action. Currently, the shores are only accessible from November to March, while from April to October they are reserved for campers. This situation creates a hardship for the local population, who would like to enjoy the beaches and shores of the lake all year round. "The law on this matter seems clear," stated a resident of Tenero-Contra. "Article 18 of the Canton of Ticino's Water and Hydraulic Works Act states that the shores of lakes are public property and access must be guaranteed to all. However, this rule does not seem to be correctly applied in this case." The collective walk saw the participation of people of all ages, who walked along the lake's shores, carrying signs and banners to make their voices heard. "We want the authorities to take action to guarantee free access to the beaches all year round," declared another protester. The issue of access to the beaches of Lake Maggiore is not a new one. In the past, there have be...
Operational details
The current situation, where the shores of Lake Maggiore are only accessible during the winter months, is due to a series of factors. Firstly, cantonal regulations state that beaches can only be used for recreational purposes during the summer season, which runs from April to October. During the winter months, beaches are considered transit areas and are not equipped for public use. Additionally, the presence of campsites along the lake's shores has led to a situation where these areas are reserved for tourists during the summer season. Campers pay a fee for the use of the facilities and beaches, which has created a barrier to free access for the local population. The Canton of Ticino's Water and Hydraulic Works Act, mentioned by the protesters, states that the shores of lakes are public property and access must be guaranteed to all. However, the law does not clearly specify how this access should be regulated and managed. This has led to different interpretations and situations like the current one, where access is limited. To resolve the issue, a dialogue between cantonal authorities, the concerned municipalities, and campsite representatives would be necessary. One possible solution could be to find a balance between the needs of tourists and the local population, for example, by creating dedicated areas for campers and other areas that are freely accessible all year round. Another option could be to regulate the use of the beaches during the summer season, establishing access hours for campers and the local population. This way, fair and balanced access to the natural resources of Lake Maggiore could be ensured. However, it is important to consider that any change in the management of the beaches could have an economic impact on campsites and the region's touri...
Key points
If you are a resident of the Canton of Ticino or a cross-border worker who works in Ticino and would like to contribute to this cause, you can join forces with the Young Greens and other local associations fighting for free access to the beaches of Lake Maggiore. You can contact them through their social media channels or participate in upcoming demonstrations and initiatives. Additionally, you can inform yourself about cantonal and federal regulations regarding the use of beaches and lakeshores. The Canton of Ticino's website provides detailed information on laws and regulations on this matter. You can also consult our salary calculator to get an idea of the cost of living in Ticino and compare it to your region of origin. To stay up to date with the latest news and developments in this story, you can follow our site, Frontaliere Ticino, and subscribe to our newsletter. Don't miss our upcoming articles and interviews with authorities and representatives of the involved associations. CTA: Salary Calculator Source: Ticinonline, March 21, 2026