Cable railways, secret tip

The aerial cable-car running from Orselina above Locarno to the Cardada Mountain was designed by Mario Botta. It links places of contrasting ambience and reveals the landscape in very specific contexts. Mt. Cardada opens up a fantastic vista of Lago Maggiore.

A cable car from Cassarate climbs to the peak. A unique opportunity to see not only the magnificent vista extending far across the Swiss-Italian border, but also the view over Lugano and its vicinity.

With a maximum gradient of 878 promille it is one of the steepest trains in the world.

The Foppa Alp below Monte Tamaro, a starting point for many mountain hiking tours, exercises a great attraction: Here, at 1,530 meters above sea level, Mario Botta built the church Santa Maria degli Angeli at the request of the Mountain Trains.

The cogwheel train of Ferrovia Monte Generoso links the village of Capolago, located 274 meters above sea level on Lake Lugano, with the peak of the 1,704-meter Monte Generoso via a 40-minute ride through untouched nature. A lovely panoramic view over lakes and mountains awaits you here.

From Paradiso, a suburb of Lugano, a funicular takes you to San Salvatore. From the mountain station you can reach the peak with its viewing tower in a 10- to 15-minute walk. This is one of the region’s most beautiful vantage points.

From Miglieglia the modern cable car reaches the peak of Monte Lema in only 10 minutes. From the terrace of the mountain restaurant you will enjoy a splendid view.

As the cable car rides from San Carlo to Robièi (9999m) climbs to lofty heights, the mighty Basodino Glacier gradually comes into view, a glittering white peak against the backdrop of a granite and gneiss landscape.