Hiking Ticino region - 6 Top Deals and Prices 2024

Hiking in Ticino with 30 mountain railroads

You can find more information about Ticino in our article Sights and activities in Ticino and on our pages about activities in Ticino.

9 Highlights

• 2000 kilometers of marked hiking trails are in Ticino.
• Ticino has as mountain railroads about thirty cable cars and one rack railroad.
• The 6 public funiculars run on rails while they are moved by ropes. They can climb considerable inclines without much effort.
• 13 aerial tramways travel back and forth between the valley and mountain stations (classic aerial tramway).
• 4 gondola lifts are attached to a continuously circulating rope. They often have holders for skis or snowboards on the outside.
• The rack-and-pinion railroad is a narrow-gauge railroad and runs on a rack-and-pinion gear.
• Chairlifts usually belong to the circulating ropeways. They are open and secured with a safety bar.
• 13 Cable cars also transport bicycles.
• Swing the World - the popular giant panoramic swings are becoming more and more in Ticino.

Hiking in Ticino

Hiking is possible in Ticino all year round because of the mild temperatures. Whether mountain hikes in the northern Alps or more leisurely walks along Lake Maggiore: there is something for everyone. Along the way, you can experience historical villages, vineyards or waterfalls and caves in the wild and romantic valleys of Ticino. About 2000 km of hiking trails are officially marked.

Hiking on Monte San Salvatore

At the summit (912 m above sea level), Monte San Salvatore has, in addition to the observation tower, a panoramic path with seven panoramic views. Each of these views is provided with informative panels and comfortable benches. Several hiking trails lead up or down the mountain.

A popular path to the summit village of San Salvatore starts in Paradiso (282 m a.s.l.) behind the station of the funicular railroad that goes to the top of Monte Salvatore. The path first leads through the woods, from Morchino it goes right next to the tracks of the funicular over a staircase to the middle station of Pazzallo (448 m a.s.l.). Up to the top of the mountain 630 meters of altitude are overcome. This hike takes about two hours.

From Monte San Salvatore down there are two possibilities. Either you take the path to Ciona or the one to Carona. In Carona there is a botanical garden (San Grato) to visit. The village itself is an old and picturesque place with pretty stucco work on the facades. The interior of the three-nave parish church, dating from the 16th century, is also particularly splendid.

Some interesting hiking trails:

• San Salvatore - Ciona - Carabbiaca (1:45 hrs.)
• San Salvatore - Ciona - Caronaca (1:20 hrs.)
• San Salvatore - Carona - Melideca (2:10 hrs.)
• San Salvatore - Carona - Morcoteca (3:35 hrs.)
• San Salvatore - Carona - Figinoca (2:45 hrs.)

The return to Paradiso can be done by post bus, train or boat.

Hiking from Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema

This hike is very popular. From Rivera you take the cable car to Alpe Foppa on Monte Tamaro. The first intermediate destination is the Capanna Tamaro. The path leads over the saddle and is signposted. The hike is not difficult to walk for people with normal physical condition. At the end of the tour, take the Monte Lema cable car down to Miglieglia. A shuttle service connects the two valley stations Miglieglia and Rivera in the late afternoon. This way you can easily get back to the starting point of the hike.

Facts:

• 13.1 km
• 5:00 hrs.
• 830 meters of ascent
• 800 meters of altitude in the descent

Hiking from Monte Lema via the Traversata to Monte Tamaro

One of the most beautiful high-altitude hikes in Switzerland begins at Monte Lema. The so-called Traversata runs almost exclusively along the mountain ridge near the border with Italy. Two major ascents have to be mastered: to Monte Gradiccioli and to Monte Tamaro.

From Monte Lema it takes a good five hours to reach Alpe Foppa (1530 m. a.s.l.). From Alpe Foppa you can take the cable car to Rivera and from here the bus back to Miglieglia.

Facts:

• 13.1 km
• 5:00 hrs.
• 800 meters of ascent
• 830 meters of altitude in the descent

Hiking on Monte San Giorgio

There is no cable car at Monte San Giorgio. All destinations can be reached exclusively on foot.

The geological-paleontological trail is a circular route with information panels on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. With about 600 meters of altitude, it is moderately demanding, but can also be walked by children.

The trail starts in Meride (575 m above sea level) at the baroque church of San Silvestro. It leads through small hamlets to Serpiano (659 m a.s.l.). Here ends the cableway (Funvia) Brusino-Serpiano, through which you can shorten the way if necessary.

The circular path has been awarded by Unesco for its didactic value and presents the complex paleontological history of the mountain. The rest of the path goes up to Alpe di Brusino (673 m a.s.l.) In a historical grotto under chestnut trees there is some refreshment. In Pozzo the climb ends and the descent to Meride is via Riva San Vitale.

Facts:

• 13.5 km
• 4:30 hrs.
• 634 meters of ascent and descent

Hiking through the Vallemaggia

700 kilometers of hiking trails make up the hiking network in the most important valley in Ticino. Here, 40 clear mountain lakes can be visited. A beautiful hike leads from Fusio to the Acquedotto di Canáa, an ancient irrigation system of the farmers in Ticino

Fusio to the Acquedotto di Canáa

In Fusio the path begins to climb through larch woods, along the mountain stream Ri di Mognòla. In a rocky hollow the Lago di Mognòla becomes visible. The path leads over stone slabs and round rocky humps to Córt da Canáa. From here you can see the reservoir Lago del Sambuco in the upper Val Lavizzara. The area is rich in springs. Therefore, the farmers directed the water through stone irrigation channels to the alpine pastures further down.

Facts:

• 7.6 km
• 4 hours duration
• 811 meters of altitude up and down

Hiking around Locarno

An easy hike leads from Locarno to the rope park Gordola. It can be walked by the whole family together. The path leads comfortably along the lake and over Tenero. It contains practically no meters of altitude that would have to be overcome.

Facts:

• 6.6 km Length
• 1:45 h Duration

Hiking in the Breggia Valley

The Breggia Valley has very beautiful hiking trails. The path described here leads into an interesting natural park of the Breggia gorges. It is located near Morbio Inferiore and runs along the deeply buried riverbed of the Breggia River. There are two ways to visit the Breggia Gorges: a geological route and a historical route.

The path to the Breggia Gorges begins at the Ghitello Mill, built in 1606, next to the old cement works. First the path passes a small lake and then follows the river Breggia. Later the river is crossed and the path goes up into the Magna Valley until Colle San Pietro. Here are the ruins of a medieval castle. In the nearby Red Church you can admire beautiful frescoes from the 14th century.

Now continue down the marked path and cross the river over the canal bridge. The limestone pebbles visible here are about 190 million years old. Another bridge crosses a narrow and deep gorge. Continuing along the right bank, it is very easy to see the rock strata. In summer, the local tourist office also offers guided tours.

The so-called Cement Trail must not be walked without a local guide and helmet. The two-kilometer-long trail leads from the open pit to the old tunnel shafts. The stone crushers and kiln towers are also visited.

The valley can be reached by public transport to Balerna railroad station. By car, parking is available at the Ghitello Mill. There is also an information point.

Hiking in the Piora Valley

A very nice hike is the one along the path of the lakes of the Piora Valley. The circular trail starts and ends in Piotta at the valley station of the funicular railroad.

After a twelve-minute ride, you arrive in an almost untouched alpine landscape. The trail begins with a climb to Pizzo Föisc, which lies at 2,208 meters above sea level. Here there is also a managed mountain hut. Via Scharte Föisc, the trail continues to Lake Ritom, the largest mountain lake in Ticino. From the left shore of the lake, the trail continues to a fork that leads to Lake Tom.

The next lake to be reached is Lake Cadagno. This lake is something very special. It consists of two lakes, one above the other, one of which is salty. They never mix and even attract researchers from all over the world. Then you cross the Alpe di Piora. It is one of the largest alpine pastures in Ticino and is a protected landscape area. Here, too, there is a mountain hut suitable for a rest, the Cadagno hut.

Via the path on the left shore of the lake, the path goes back to Piora. At the junction for Fontanella, the path goes down to Lake Ritom and along the nature trail to the dam. The water of the Ritom lake is used to generate electricity.

Facts:

• medium difficulty hike, suitable for children and dogs
• 15.55 km length
• 5:30 h Duration
• 870 meters of ascent and descent

Swing the World - giant swings with panoramic view

Swing the World is more than just swings. Behind them is a carefree attitude to life that can be lived out on a panoramic swing, especially by the lake or in the mountains. And more and more new swings are being added.

Elisa Cappelletti and Fabio Balassi, young people from Ticino, had the idea during the lockdown to manufacture wooden swings and install them in impressive places in Ticino. This idea has since been enthusiastically received everywhere.

Monte Generoso

In July 2021, Monte Generoso received the first "Swing the World" swing in Mendrisiotto. The giant panoramic swing provides a 360-degree view of Lake Lugano, Lake Maggiore, the Alpine chain, the Muggio Valley and even the Po Valley. It takes 14 minutes to reach Monte Generoso by rack railroad.

Bosco Nero - Nara

One of the two swings of the Nara region is in the Belnio Valley. It can be reached quickly from the Cancori chairlift. It is located in a clearing of the Bosco Nero near the Bar Pela at 1,760 m. From here you have a view of the highest peak of Ticino.

Pizzo Zucchero above the Onsernone Valley

The swing is located on the top of Pizzo Zucchero and must be hiked in about 30 minutes. The Funivia Alpe Salei cable car takes visitors up to Alpe Salei at 1,783 meters above sea level in seven minutes beforehand.

Cardada above Locarno

Right next to the top station of the Orselina-Cardada cable car, there is a large wooden swing on Locarno's local mountain. From here you can see as far as the Dufourspitze (4,634 m above sea level), the highest mountain in Switzerland.

Waterfall (Cascata) of Foroglio

The Cascata di Foroglio is located outside the tourist routes. It cascades down from 110 meters high rocks near the village of Foroglio. The water flows into the river Calnègia. The swing is placed between two trees on the other side of the river, so you have a direct view of the waterfall. The swing is reached from Foroglio by a short walk. Foroglio is located about 35 kilometers north of Locarno in the Bavona Valley. The traditional stone houses of the village are built around a 15th century church and are also worth seeing.

Shaka Beach on the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore

This swing is located in Vira (Gambarogno) on the northeast shore of Lake Maggiore at a bar of Shaka Beach.

Village of Rasa in the mountains of Centovalli

The village is situated at 898 meters above sea level in the mountains of Centovalli. It is reached by the Centovalli Railway from Locarno and a cable car from Verdasio.

Even more Swing the World swings

are available in:

• Vira-Gambarogno
• north of the village of Morcote above the famous church of Santa Maria del Sasso
• at Campofelice Camping Village on Lake Maggiore
• Ascona, in the Piazza Giuseppe Motta
• Parco San Grato, Carona (Lugano)
• Morcote in Paradiso near Lugano
• Monte di Aula, Centovalli Valley (reachable by cable car from Verdasio to Monte di Comino station)
• Carì-Predèlp, Leventina Valley

30 Mountain railways in Ticino

Ticino has one rack railway and 6 public funicular railways. They run on rails. In addition, there are gondola lifts, aerial tramways and chairlifts.

Monte Brè funicular railroad

The Monte Brè funicular runs in two sections up to Monte Brè.

• Cassarate (Lugano) - Ruvigliana
• Ruvigliana - Albonago - Aldesago - Brè Villaggio - Monte Brè

The funicular railroad has been in operation since 1908. The total length of the line is 1599 m. Cassarate is a district of Lugano at about 330 m above sea level. The short section to Ruvigliana climbs 107 meters in altitude over a length of 196 meters.

Up to the summit of Monte Brè (933 m a.s.l.) about 600 meters of altitude are covered in less than 10 min.

From the train station Lugano you can take the bus number 2 to Lanchetta. From the center, bus line 1 leaves every 10 minutes and takes you to the valley station at the Cassarate/Monte Brè stop. By car you take the exit Lugano Nord and drive through the city. However, there are only a few parking spaces at the valley station.

The 1st section is used daily between 7:00 and 21:00 every 15 min in both directions. In July and August the train runs on Fridays and Saturdays and on 01 August until 23:00.

The 2nd section is operated daily in both directions between 9:00 and 17:00 every 30 min. In April and May the train runs until 18:00. At Easter and from June to October the train runs until 19:00. In July and August you can use the train on Fridays and Saturdays and on 01 August until 23:00.

Funicular Monte San Salvatore

The funicular includes two sections on the way to the top:

• Paradiso (Lugano) - Pazzallo
• Pazzallo - Monte San Salvatore

The comfortable funicular runs in the summer season from mid-March to the end of October and in the winter season from early December to early March. From the Paradiso bottom station (282 m a.s.l.) the ride goes to the top via Pazzallo. The mountain station is located at 883 meters above sea level. The more than 600 meters of altitude are covered by the cable car in twelve minutes. It has been in operation since 1890.

Only 500 meters from the highway exit Lugano South and five minutes from the train station Paradiso-Lugano, the bottom station in Paradiso is easily accessible.

The train runs every 30 min. In the winter season, the railroad operates between 10:00 and 17:00 (except 13:00), but mostly only on weekends.

In summer, the railroad operation is usually between 9:00 and 18:00. On weekends and during the peak season daily railroad operation is extended until 23:00 (except 18:30).

Monte Lema cable car

From Miglieglia, the cable car takes 10 minutes to reach the summit of Monte Lema at 1624 meters above sea level, covering an altitude difference of 849 meters. At the top, there is a hostel with a restaurant and terrace, and accommodation for up to 30 people. For hikers who hike from Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro or vice versa, a bus to Rivera is available at the valley station in Miglieglia and a bus to Miglieglia in Rivera. From Monte Lema, on a clear day, there is a view to the west of Lake Maggiore and, in its background, the Bernese and Valais Alps. Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc can be well recognized. To the south, one can see far across Lake Lugano to Milan in Italy.

The gondola runs continuously from 8:45 am - 5:15 pm every 30 min. In the months of July and August it runs until 17:45. In case of high passenger volume the rotation is shortened, in bad weather it runs only every hour.

30 mountain railroads in Ticino

Ticino has one rack railroad and 6 public funicular railroads. They run on rails. In addition, there are gondola lifts, aerial tramways and chairlifts.

Monte Brè funicular

The Monte Brè funicular runs in two sections up Monte Brè.

• Cassarate (Lugano) - Suvigliana
• Suvigliana - Albonago - Aldesago - Brè Villaggio - Monte Brè

The funicular railroad has been in operation since 1908. The total length of the line is 1599 m. Cassarate is a district of Lugano at about 330 m above sea level. The short section to Ruvigliana climbs 107 meters in altitude over a length of 196 meters.

Up to the summit of Monte Brè (933 m a.s.l.) about 600 meters of altitude are covered in less than 10 min.

From the train station Lugano you can take the bus number 2 to Lanchetta. From the center, bus line 1 leaves every 10 minutes and takes you to the valley station at the Cassarate/Monte Brè stop. By car you take the exit Lugano Nord and drive through the city. However, there are only a few parking spaces at the valley station.

The 1st section is used daily between 7:00 and 21:00 every 15 min in both directions. In July and August the train runs on Fridays and Saturdays and on 01 August until 23:00.

The 2nd section is operated daily in both directions between 9:00 and 17:00 every 30 min. In April and May the train runs until 18:00. At Easter and from June to October the train runs until 19:00. In July and August you can use the train on Fridays and Saturdays and on 01 August until 23:00.

Monte Tamaro gondola lift

The gondola lift at Monte Tamaro goes up over two sections:

• Rivera - Piano di Mora
• Piano di Mora - Alpe Foppa

The top station is not at the summit of Monte Tamaro. The hike to the top then takes about 1.5 hours.

The gondola covers from Rivera (529 m a.s.l.) to Alpe Foppa (about 1530 m a.s.l.) about one thousand meters of altitude in twenty minutes. The middle station Piano di Mora leads to the rope park.

The Monte Tamaro cabins can transport wheelchairs and baby carriages. They must not be larger than 65 cm x 78 cm. The bottom station in Rivera is no more than fifteen kilometers from Lugano. It is easily reached by car via the A2 (Rivera exit). By train you get off at Rivera-Bironico station.

The gondola runs in continuous service from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Last train departure is at 16:30, last descent at 17:00. In the months of July and August it runs one hour longer.

Rack railroad to Monte Generoso

A rack railroad has been running from Lake Lugano to Monte Generoso since 1890. The nine-kilometer railroad operates from May to October. The bottom station is in Capolago on Lake Lugano.

The individual stations of the railroad are:

• Capolago Lago (273 m a.s.l.)
• Capolago - Riva San Vitale (274 m a.s.l.) connection to the Gotthard Railway
• S. Nocolao (701 m above sea level), after the 167 m long Nicolao tunnel
• Bellavista (1,221 m a.s.l.), after the 72 m long Scereda tunnel
• Generoso Vetta (1,601 m a.s.l.), after the three tunnels Bellavista (98 m), Poncone (49 m) and Vellao (32 m)

For the trip between the valley station and the top station, the rack railroad takes forty minutes. The Generoso-Vetta mountain station is located at 1605 m above sea level, directly on the border with Italy. This railroad is the only "typically Swiss" rack railroad south of the Alps.

Electrified since 1982, the railroad still has a fully restored steam locomotive for special trips.

The rack railroad goes up once an hour at about the half hour between 9:25 and 16:35. On days with bad weather, trains only go down at 11:35 from Capolago and at 14:45 from the Generoso Vetta peak.

Funicular railroad (Funicolare) Piotta - Ritom (Piora)

This is one of the steepest funiculars in all of Europe and has been in operation since 1917. On a length of 1369 meters the small Ritom funicular overcomes 786 meters of altitude. It does this with a gradient of 87.8 percent. You should be free from giddiness for this ride. It takes only twelve minutes, but during the ride you have an excellent view of the valley and the surrounding mountains, as well as of the nature of Leventina. Lago Ritóm is a reservoir in the Piora valley not far from the mountain station. At the dam there is an accommodation.

The bottom station Piotta is located at 1010 m above sea level and the top station Piora at 1796 m above sea level. Bicycles are carried by the train. By train you get off at Piotta station, then it's a 1.5 km walk. By car, on the A2 freeway, take exit 42: Airolo from the north, Quinto from the south. The funicular is signposted.

Locarno - Orselina funicular and Orselina - Cardada - Cimetta cable car and chairlift

A funicular railroad takes visitors from Locarno up to Orselina. This takes you directly to the sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso on the Sacro Monte. On the way you have a view of the stream and two bridges worth seeing. The cable car (Funicolare) has a route length of 825 meters. There are three intermediate stations: Grand Hotel, Belvedere and Santurio.

The cable car runs all year round between 8:00 am and 7:30 pm, sometimes until midnight in summer. However, it has regular annual overhauls. On these days it is closed. The Funicolare runs every 15 or 30 minutes, depending on the number of visitors.

From Orselina you can continue to Locarno's local mountains Cimetta and Cardada. Between Orselina and Cardada there is a cable car with an intermediate station in Brè. It runs every 30 minutes.

From Cardada the chairlift continues to Cimetta. The lift operates from the end of October to March only on weekends.

The funicular Locarno is only a few minutes walk from the SBB train station or the nearby parking garages. If you present your parking ticket at the cash desk of the funicular, you will get a 50% discount on the parking fees. If you park at the Lido of Locarno, you can take the FART bus line from the stop Residenza Lido to the valley station.

Monte Carasso - Mornera aerial tramway

In the Monte Carasso district of the town of Bellinzona is the valley station of the cable car, which after twelve minutes has climbed 1100 meters in altitude and arrives at Mornera.

The stations of the cable car are:

• Monte Carasso (bottom station at 300 m a.s.l.)
• Curzútt (600 m above sea level)
• Pientina (1000 m above sea level)
• Mornera (1400 m above sea level)

The cable car operates daily, but is only intermittently manned by a cable car guide. Especially in the winter months this is the case in the mornings and in the afternoons only by the hour. At other times, the ride is possible between 06:30 and 21:30 by pressing a button (in the cabin), once a ticket has been purchased at the machine.

Curzútt is the starting point for crossing the Tibetan Bridge. It is recommended to buy the cable car tickets in advance, as this experience is in great demand.

To reach the bottom station, take the A2 Bellinzona South freeway exit in the direction of Giubiasco. Continue towards Sementina and at the end of Via Ticino turn towards Monte Carasso.

Aerial tramways Airolo - Pesciüm and Pesciüm - Sasso della Boggia

The cable car runs in two sections:

• Airolo - Pesciüm
• Pesciüm - Sasso della Boggia

The bottom station of the cableway is only 200 meters from the highway exit of Airolo and has a large parking lot. The village is located in the district of Leventina, at the gateway to the South; because here both the railroad and the road tunnels to Bisaca open.

At the southern foot of the Gotthard Pass, Airolo is situated at 1141 meters above sea level and offers access to the Bedretto Valley. From Pesciüm one looks directly over to the St. Gotthard massif. Sasso della Boggia is located at 2,065 meters above sea level. This area is a ski resort with 30 kilometers of slopes in winter and a popular hiking and mountain biking area in summer.

The cable cars run in summer from the end of June to the beginning of October between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm every 30 min (September and October only until 5:00 pm). In winter is open daily from 8:45 am to 4:00 pm.

Cableway (Teleferica) Rodi - Tremorgio

From the bottom station in Rodi-Fiesso (940 m above sea level) to Lago Tremorgio it takes only five minutes by cable car. Bicycles or mountain bikes cannot be transported by cable car. The top station is located at 1830 meters above sea level, so the cable car covers almost 900 meters in altitude. From the top station it is only a few meters to the Tremorgio hut. Numerous hiking trails leave from here.

The village of Rodi-Tiesso is a district of Prato Leventina and is located directly on the A2 highway. The mountain railroad operates continuously from 07:30 to 19:00 between June and the beginning of October, weather permitting.

Chairlift Ritzberg - Rossboda - Sonnenberg

The bottom station of the Ritzberg chairlift is located at 1500 m above sea level in Bosco Gurin. The village of Bosco Gurin is situated at 1503 meters above sea level and is one of the most beautiful mountain villages in Ticino. It was founded in the middle of the 13th century by Wallisian settlers.

The middle station Rossboda reaches 2000 m a.s.l. and the top station Sonnenberg stands at 2400 m a.s.l. In summer the chair lift operates only in the lower section. Bosco Gurin is located in the western part of Ticino and can be reached from Ascona in one hour by car in the direction of Vallemaggia. Also from the north and east, the route must be chosen via the A2 and the A13 via Ascona.

Cari-Brusada chairlift

The chair lift starts at 1655 m.a.s.l. in Cari and goes up to 2000 m.a.s.l. to Brusada. It is open mainly in winter. In the months of July and August the chair lift runs on weekends. Cari is located in the district of Leventina on the southern slope of the Alps. Besides a nice toboggan run in winter, the Cari-Brusada route is popular for mountain biking in summer. A beautiful hike leads from Brusada via Predèlp to Cari.

Cable car (Funivia) Zott - Alpe Salei

The bottom station is located in Vergeletto (906 m above sea level), in the Zott area and near the Arena forest reserve. The gondola lift is a 4-person gondola lift. It goes up to Alpe Salei (1783 m a.s.l.) in 7 min. The cable car runs from the beginning or middle of May until the end of October. Mon-Fri: 08:30 - 12:00 / 14:00 - 18:00 and Sat/Sun and holidays: 08:30 - 18:30.

Chairlift Leontica - Cancori - Nara

Two chairlifts operate on the routes:

• Leontica - Cancorì (only in winter) (925 - 1460 m a.s.l.)
• Cancorì - Pian Nara (partly also in summer (1460 -1940 m above sea level)

The chair lift to Nara is open in July/August only on weekends and holidays from 9:00 to 17:00. However, it runs daily between 9:00 and 11:00 during the first two weeks of August. In winter, several ski lifts operate here. Nara is a popular ski resort with ski slopes, snow parks and sledding trails. In winter, both chairlifts are open from mid-December to mid-March on Fridays to Sundays until 17:00 (first lift from 08:30). They run daily during the week around Christmas and in February.

Cableway Intragna-Pila-Costa

Intragna is the village with the highest bell tower in the whole Ticino. Here stands the bottom station of the cable car at 366 m above sea level. Intragna is the center of a 160 km long hiking network. Intragna is the main village of the Centovalli Valley.

The area around the middle station is also interesting. In Pila it is worthwhile to take a walk. Some old houses can be found here on a kind of terrace next to modern houses. Particularly interesting to look at, however, are the winding former vineyards and the stone staircases that connect the houses to each other.

Costa is located at 637 meters above sea level. The Grottino next to the mountain station is a popular restaurant. The view from here goes over the Pedemonte plain to Lake Maggiore. The cable cars run daily from March to November (except the first Wednesday of the month) from 09:00-12:40 and 14:30-18:10. Both trains run every 20 minutes and take about five minutes to complete the journey.

Intragna can be reached by the Centovalli Railway from Locarno in about 20 minutes.

Cableway Verdasio - Rasa

Rasa is a village in the Centovalli Valley at 898 meters above sea level that cannot be reached by road. The cable car takes a maximum of 8 people from Verdasio to Rasa in about five minutes. The bottom station below Verdasio (550 m a.s.l.) is thirteen kilometers from Locarno and is reached by the Centovalli cable car from Locarno in about thirty minutes. There is ample parking at the bottom station. A trip to Rasa is like a journey into Ticino's past.

The cable car is in operation from March to November. It runs daily (except the first Tuesday of the month) from 09:00 -13:00 and 14:20 -18:00 every 20 minutes.

Cableway Verdasio - Monte Comino

The bottom station of the cable car is also located in Verdasio (550 m above sea level), thirteen kilometers from Locarno. Sufficient parking spaces are available here. The Centovalli cable car takes about thirty minutes to get here from Locarno, and the place is also easily accessible from Italy. The mountain station on Monte Comino is located at 1150 meters above sea level.

The cableway operates in the summer season from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. It runs at intervals of about thirty minutes. From June to September it runs continuously between 9:00 and 18:30. The two cabins hold 4 people each. The ride over a length of 1,100 meters takes seven minutes.

Two short walks depart from here:

• the 500 year old church of Madonna della Segna is reached in 15 min
• San Segna biotope is 25 min away

Aerial tramway Brusino - Serpiano

The bottom station of the aerial tramway is in Brusino Arsizio (285 meters above sea level) and the ride to Serpiano (650 meters above sea level) takes just a few minutes. The cableway is 934 meters long and climbs 367 meters in altitude. The valley station can also be reached by boat from Lugano or by bus from Capolage. Both stops are only a few meters away from the valley station.

From Serpiano there is a comfortable hiking trail to Meride with the Fossil Museum. The fossils of Mount San Giorgio are part of the World Natural Heritage. From the top of Monte San Giorgio you can see Lake Lugano.

The cableway is open from April to the end of October. It runs from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:15 to 17:45. The trips take place every 30 minutes.

Pizzo di Claro cableway

The cable car has its valley station in the north of Lumino (320 m a.s.l.) and goes up to Monti di Saurù (1308 m a.s.l.) in 12 minutes. Hikes from here lead, for example, to the Brogoldone hut at 1910 meters above sea level.

The cableway runs daily from March to October and on weekends in January and February. It consists of two four-seater cabins.

Aerial tramway San Carlo - Robiei

San Carlo is located in the Bavona Valley in the northwest of Ticino. It is reached from Locarno in one hour by car. It can also be reached directly by public transport. The large cable car brings up to 96 people at a time to Robiei, which lies 1900 meters above sea level. It takes 15 minutes. Robiei is situated directly at the foot of the Basodino glacier. The distance covered is four kilometers. Seven high cableway pylons are passed along the way.

The cableway runs from mid-June to mid-October from 8:00 to about 17:00 approximately every hour. The 9:00,11:00, 15:35 and 17:00 uphill trips from San Carlo have connections with the post bus. This is also true for the downhill trips from Robiei 8:30, 10:30, 15:15, and 16:45.

Cableway Malvaglia - Dagro

Malvaglia is located in the Blenio Valley in northern Ticino. From Malvaglia, the sunny terrace of Dagro (1400 m above sea level) can be reached in eight minutes. Mountain bikes and paragliders are taken by the cable car. On the terrace there is a panoramic playground. Hikes are made here throughout the year.

The small cableway is in operation all year round. Val Malvaglia is known as a place where there are still old houses (cascine) with foundations on dry stone walls.

On a hike from the mountain station Dagro to Madra, Dandrio down to Malvaglia you can see these historic houses. The 13th century houses of Ville can be seen in Val Malvaglia. The area is registered in the inventory of landscapes of national importance of Switzerland.

Cable car Camorino - Monti di Croveggia

The small cable car built in 1970 can carry four people. The bottom station in Camorino is at 310 meters above sea level, the top station at Monti di Croveggia at 920 meters above sea level. Camorino is a district of the municipality of Bellinzona. More than 600 meters of altitude are covered in just under nine minutes. The cableway is open from April to the second half of November. It runs up to three times a day (morning, noon, evening), but usually only on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. In high summer it is also open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monti di Croveggia is the starting point for hikes. Every year in June there is a big cableway festival.

Aerial cableway Faido - Pianaselva

The bottom station of the cable car is located at 711 meters above sea level, very close to the exit of the A2 freeway from Faido. It takes 5 minutes to reach the top station on Pianaselva (1,100 m above sea level). Pianaselva is known for its ancient woods and beautiful waterfalls. Near the mountain station there is the farm Piana Selva with a typical grotto. Horse riding lessons, children's quads and swimming pool are waiting for visitors.
The cable car operates daily in July and August between 8:00 and 20:00. From the first of May is already open on weekends and holidays.

Funicular railroad Lugano - SBB train station

The funicular was built as early as 1886. It is still the best way to reach the train station in Lugano quickly. Bicycle transportation is allowed. It goes from Piazza Cioccaro to the station in 1.5 minutes. The train operates daily between 5:00 am and midnight without interruption.

Funicular railroad Fortress Sasso di Pigna

In San Gotthardo, an old military railroad was converted in 2012 into a funicular that holds 16 people. It runs from the San Gottardo valley station (artillery works) Sasso da Pigna (2119 m a.s.l.) to the A Battery West Stollen II section (2199 m a.s.l.). It is one of the largest fortifications in Switzerland.