Ritom – Piora funicular railway
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
One of the world’s steepest funicular railways departs from Leventina for the Ritomsee lake. Built by Swiss Federal Railways in 1917 to aid with the construction of the reservoir and power station, the little red train has been carrying 100 people per hour to the recreation area around the mountain lakes in the Val Piora since 1921.
The single-cabin cableway with a maximum gradient of 87.8% is one of the steepest publicly accessible funicular railways in the world. 1,369 metres in length, it climbs 786 metres to reach the Piora upper station.
From there, an easy 15-minute walk takes visitors to the Ritomsee lake, the largest mountain lake in Ticino. The impressive Alpine landscape and beautiful lakeland are rich in botanical and geological treasures. Several mountain huts are on hand to provide culinary delights, serving up Ticino specialities such as Polenta e Brasato (braised beef) or delicious Piora cheese.
Mountain hikes to the Cadlimo hut (overnight stay) and on as far as the Oberalp Pass, across the Passo dell’Uomo to the Lukmanier Pass or a classic tour across the Passo del Sole to Acquacalda.
Information
Altitude: 1,851 metres
How to get there: Train to Airolo, PostBus to Piotta (Funicolare), steep funicular to the Piora upper station
Views: Infinite diversity: From the upper station, the dam, Föisch and the Passo Forca there is a view of the upper Leventina; from Alpe Piora and Alpe Tom you can see the mountains surrounding Val Piora
Attractions: Cadagno Alpine Biology Center and the renowned Piora cheese dairy, Ritom nature trail (brochure available),
Food and drink: Ticino specialties in the Rifugio Lago Ritom and Canvetto del Carletto restaurants and the new Capanna Cadagno (an old hut housed inside a new one)
Accommodation: In the above restaurants, Rifugio Föisc and Capanna Cadlimo SAC
Groups: By arrangement in the mountain inns
Winter: Closed
Special comments: The Gotthard Base Tunnel runs right under Piora, and the geological rock conditions were initially a cause for concern.
The mountain ascent is not included in the Swiss Travel Pass/GA travelcard. Buy your tickets on arrival at the station.
General information
| Season |
May - October
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|---|---|
| Time required |
2 to 4 hours (half day)
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| Suitable for children with age |
6 to 9 years, 10 to 13 years, 14+ years
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| Suitable for |
Children, Families, Groups, Individual, Couples
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| Weather |
Outdoor
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| Category |
Adventure, Nature, Active
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SBB RailAway leisure offer
View Common.From SBB RailAway leisure offer offersDiscover the surroundings
Contact
Funicolare Ritom SA
Casella postale 17
6775
Ambri
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)91 868 31 51
Fax +41 (0)91 868 31 52
info@ritom.ch
ritom.ch
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