By cable car to Cardada-Cimetta: grand views of Lake Maggiore

This page was last updated by Annika on 16 August 2023.

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Cardada-Cimetta: the must knows

Cimetta is a high mountain that can be reached from the center of Locarno.
You can enjoy 3 modes of mountain transport: a funicular, a cable car, and a chair lift.
There are panoramic views over Lake Maggiore the mid-station Cardada and the top station Cimetta.
Mid-station Cardada is perfect for a relaxed family trip: there’s a restaurant, terrace, playground and suspended viewing platform.
You can combine this ride with a visit to the Madonna del Sasso church.

Min. time required: 2:30

Season: all year

Recommended season: early April to mid October

Max. altitude: 1616 m (5302 ft)

What are Cardada and Cimetta?

Cimetta is a mountain top at 1,616 m. It's high above Locarno, which is at 200 m. Cardada is an area halfway up the mountain.

The varied trip via Orselina, Madonna del Sasso, Cardada and Cimetta involves 3 modes of transport. At the top there is a wonderful view of the mountains, the Maggia Valley, the Centovalli, Locarno, Ascona, and Lake Maggiore. You can also see Italy from here.

Prices, tickets and reservations

Cardada-Cimetta prices in 2023

The standard prices for a return trip are CHF 7.20 between Locarno and Orselina, and CHF 36 between Orselina and Cimetta

You can get discounts with many rail passes.

Where to get your tickets

Tickets for the funicular to Orselina can be purchased at the valley station in Locarno. Tickets to Cardada and further up to Cimetta can be purchased at the cable car station in Orselina.

Reservations

Reservations aren't required for this excursion.

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Discounted lift tickets with your rail pass

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Discount 50%: Orselina to Cimetta (cableway) More information: Locarno to Orselina (funicular): no discount.
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: Orselina to Cimetta (cableway) More information: Locarno to Orselina (funicular): no discount.
Swiss Travel Pass	Discount 50%: Orselina to Cimetta (cableway) More information: Locarno to Orselina (funicular): 25% discount.
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Discount 50%: Orselina to Cimetta (cableway) More information: Locarno to Orselina (funicular): 25% discount.
Ticino Ticket	Discount 30%: Orselina to Cimetta (cableway) More information: Locarno to Orselina (funicular): 20% discount.

How to reach Cardada-Cimetta: directions and map

You'll reach the mountain by various modes of transport that start near the train station in Locarno.

How to reach Locarno

Locarno can comfortably be reached by train. The train station is very close to where the funicular up the mountain departs. You can reach Locarno by car as well.

Section 1: Locarno to Orselina

You'll start your trip at an altitude of 200 m. From the train station, turn left into the Via della Stazione. After 150 m you'll see the funicular station on your right, after crossing the canal. Take the funicular up to the last stop: Orselina Funicolare, at 378 m.

Alternatively, you can take a scenic walk from Locarno to the Madonna del Sasso church. Then proceed for 5 more minutes to reach Orselina.

More details are here.

Section 2: Orselina to Cardada

In Orselina, you'll walk to the cable car station in less than a minute. Take the cable car to Cardada at 1,332 m.

Section 3: Cardada to Cimetta

Turn right as you leave the cable car station at Cardada and walk to the chairlift station. This easy walk across forestry terrain takes about 5 minutes. Take the chairlift up to Cimetta and walk to the observation platform at 1,671 m. This is another 5-minute walk.

Map: route from Locarno to Orselina, Cardada and Cimetta

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Operation dates, schedules and timetable

2023 operation dates

Section 1, Locarno-Orselina: operates all year.
Section 2, Orselina-Cardada: operates all year, except for a maintenance break from 6 November until 20 December 2023.
Section 3, Cardada-Cimetta: operates daily from 13 March to 5 November 2023 and operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 21 December 2023 to 12 March 2024.

How to plan your excursion to Cardada-Cimetta

Consult the schedules through the links below. You can also plan most of this trip with the Swiss timetable, except for the last section to Cimetta.

For the ride up to Cardada, enter these names:

"Locarno" for the train station of Locarno
"Locarno Funicolare" for the funicular valley station
"Orselina Funicolare" for the funicular station at Orselina, close to Madonna del Sasso
"Orselina (Funivia Cardada)" for the cable car station to Cardada
"Cardada (Funivia)" for the cable car station at Cardada

Recommended seasons

Orselina, Cardada and Cimetta can be reached nearly year-round. Overall, we recommend a visit from early April to mid October:

That's when the chairlift to Cimetta operates daily.
We also think vegetation in this area is prettier from April onward than in March.

Cardada and Cimetta are at relatively low altitudes, so they're not the most obvious winter destination. You could be lucky and experience snow during the winter months though.

Weather at Cardada-Cimetta

Check the weather forecast, so you can estimate if it's worth it go up. If the Cimetta is covered in clouds, you will not be able to see the views. Cardada at lower altitude may be clear though.

Dress in multiple thinner layers so that you can adapt to the different temperatures throughout the day. It can be windy at the top. Take along sunglasses, and in winter also gloves and a hat.

You need appropriate gear if you plan to hike.

Short-term weather forecast for Cimetta

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What to expect from your mountain excursion

What to do at Orselina

A visit to Cardada-Cimetta can easily be combined with a visit to the historical church Madonna del Sasso in Orselina, as you pass by it anyway.

What to do at Cardada

This is what you’ll see at mid-station Cardada:

You can enter the suspended observation platform offering a 180° view of the area. To get there, turn left after arriving by cable car from Orselina.
There’s a hotel-restaurant with a panorama terrace and a children’s playground.
You can make several hikes.

What to expect at Cimetta

This is what you can do at Cimetta:

There’s an observation platform offering a 360° view. Information panels teach you about the geology of the Alps, and particularly about the collision of the African and European tectonic plates.
There’s a restaurant with a terrace.
If there is sufficient snow, you can ski here in winter. The slopes may not be open every day.

What else to do on the same day

On average, a visit all the way to Cimetta takes about half a day. The famous church Madonna del Sasso is along the route and worth a visit. Before or after your excursion you can explore Locarno, for example with our town walk. Or enjoy a boat trip at Lake Maggiore.