Monte Tamaro: the must- knows

  • Monte Tamaro is a hidden gem: it’s not well-known but has great views.
  • The mountain is easy to reach from Lugano, Bellinzona and Locarno.
  • The mountain gondola station is officially called “Alpe Foppa”.
  • If you want to have family fun, this is the place to go. Adventurous kids will love the rope park, mountain coaster, and zip line.
Min. time required: 2:00
Season: late March to late August
Recommended season: early April to late August
Max. altitude: 1530 m (5020 ft)

What is Monte Tamaro? Copy link to clipboard

Monte (Mount) Tamaro is a peak east of Lake Maggiore in the southern Swiss canton Ticino. Its altitude is 1,962 m. The nearby place you can reach by gondola is officially called "Alpe Foppa". This is at 1,530 m.

We think this attraction might be overlooked by tourists, as it's not in one of the famous towns in this area. But it's easy to reach, the views are wonderful and it's a perfect family excursion.

Prices, tickets, and reservations Copy link to clipboard

Monte Tamaro prices

The standard price for a return trip to Monte Tamaro is CHF 31 per adult. Your rail pass may provide discounts.

The toboggan, zipline, and Adventure Park have to be paid for separately.

Where to buy your Monte Tamaro tickets

Tickets for the gondola can be purchased online, or at the gondola valley station in the village of Rivera.

Reservations

You don't need reservations for the gondolas to Monte Tamaro.

Find your tickets online Copy link to clipboard

Hiking ticket Monte Tamaro - Monte Lema
Hiking ticket Monte Tamaro - Monte Lema
Hiking
You take the cable car from Rivera to Alpe Foppa on Monte Tamaro. From the top station you hike to Monte Lema. From here the cable car takes you down to Miglieglia, where the bus is already waiting.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

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Hiking ticket Monte Lema - Monte Tamaro
Hiking ticket Monte Lema - Monte Tamaro
Hiking
You take the cable car from Miglieglia to Monte Lema. From the top station you hike up to Monte Tamaro. From Alpe Foppa the cable car brings you down to Rivera, where the bus is already waiting.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
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Promotions Copy link to clipboard

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Discounted gondola rides with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

PassDiscount
Day Pass Discount 50%:
  • Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa (cableway)
Swiss Half Fare Card Discount 50%:
  • Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa (cableway)
Swiss Travel Pass Discount 50%:
  • Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa (cableway)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex Discount 50%:
  • Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa (cableway)
Ticino Ticket Discount 20%:
  • Rivera-Bironico to Alpe Foppa (cableway)

How to reach Monte Tamaro: directions and map Copy link to clipboard

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Example: 01.07.= 1 July
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Example: 13:15=1:15 PM

How does the timetable work?

You'll reach the mountain by a gondola that departs from the village of Rivera, at a short walk from the train station.

How to reach the mountain

Take the train to the station of Rivera-Bironico. This takes about 15-20 minutes from either Bellinzona or Lugano, and about 30 minutes from Locarno.

Turn right as you exit the station and follow the signs to the gondola station. The walk takes 8 minutes. There is a parking lot at the gondola station as well. Take the gondola up the mountain.

Stay seated at the mid-station, unless you plan to visit the rope park or start a hike there.

Map with the gondola route to Monte Tamaro

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Map

Operation dates, schedules, and timetable Copy link to clipboard

2024 operation dates

The gondola operates from 25 March 2024 to at least 31 August 2024. Based on previous years' schedules, the season end date may be as late as October, but this isn't clear yet. Most adventure activities are available during the gondola operation season.

How to plan your excursion to Monte Tamaro

Consult the schedules through the links here, or plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. These names are used:

  • "Rivera-Bironico" for the train station
  • "Rivera" for the gondola valley station
  • "Alpe Foppa" for the mountain station

Best season Copy link to clipboard

We prefer visiting Monte Tamaro from early April to late August. Specifics:

  • We like April and May best. That's when you can still see snow on the surrounding mountains.
  • June to August is the perfect time to explore the hiking trails or take mountain bike rides in addition to the other adventure activities.

Weather tips and forecast Copy link to clipboard

Check the weather forecast, so you can estimate if it's worth going up to Monte Tamaro. If the top station "Alpe Foppa" is covered in clouds, you won't be able to enjoy the views. Hiking isn't recommended in low clouds, fog and rain either.

The zip line and coaster bob normally operate in a bit of rain too, but in particularly bad weather they may be closed for safety reasons.

Dress in multiple thinner layers so that you can adapt to the different temperatures in the valley and up the mountain. It can be windy at the top.

Appropriate gear is required if you plan to leave the area around the cable car station to go hiking.

Weather forecasts for Monte Tamaro

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Weather forecast

What to see and do at Monte Tamaro

The place you’ll reach by gondola is called “Alpe Foppa”. This is what to expect there:

  • You’ll have a panoramic view of countless mountains and the town of Bellinzona in the valley.
  • There’s a self-service restaurant and a fun playground.
  • The modern Santa Maria degli Angeli church is designed by Mario Botta: a famous architect who also designed the building at Monte Generoso, the restaurant at Glacier 3000, and a spa resort at Rigi Kaltbad. This church at Monte Tamaro is one of the most famous in the Ticino, along with the Madonna del Sasso. The church roof is accessible too, so you can enjoy the view from there.
  • There are various hiking options in summer. A very scenic one is the 1-hour walk up to the Capanna Tamaro, a hut on the trail to the actual peak of Monte Tamaro. The hut at 1,878 m offers a restaurant (with meals on request) and you can sleep there. You’ll have a 360°-view of the entire region. Unlike the view from Alpe Foppa, you can also see Lake Maggiore and Locarno from here. The trail is on a north-facing slope, so it can be snow-covered well into spring.
  • You can have fun with the summer toboggan run and the zipline.
  • Other sports options are mountain biking and paragliding.
  • From the cableway mid-station, you’ll have access to the Adventure Park: a rope park with several routes of varying difficulty.

How to combine Monte Tamaro with other excursions

The valley station Rivera-Bironico is only a short ride away from Lugano and Bellinzona. You can explore one of these towns and add nearby activities. Locarno and its attractions are a bit further away, but still doable.

Other websites of interest

Schedules

Prices

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.