MySwissAlps.com includes 
This page was last updated by 
Season: early January to early November and mid December to late December
Recommended season: early April to early November
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, with plenty of fun for families and sports enthusiasts.
The varied trip via Orselina, Madonna del Sasso, Cardada and Cimetta involves 3 modes of mountain 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.
You can have a bite in one of the restaurants and enjoy activities such as geocaching, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and Nordic walking. If there's enough snow in winter, sledding and snowshoeing are possible.
➤ Prices, tickets and reservations
Cardada-Cimetta prices
The standard price for a return trip between Locarno and Cimetta is CHF 47: CHF 8 for a funicular return ride Locarno-Orselina, and CHF 39 for a return ride by cable car and chairlift between Orselina, Cardada, 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 are for sale at the cable car station in Orselina.
Reservations
Reservations aren't required for this excursion.
➤ Discounted lift tickets with your rail pass
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | Discount 50%:
Locarno to Orselina (funicular): no discount. |
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
Locarno to Orselina (funicular): no discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Discount 50%:
Locarno to Orselina (funicular): 25% discount. |
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Discount 50%:
Locarno to Orselina (funicular): 25% discount. |
| Ticino Ticket | Discount 20%:
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. Check my Locarno travel tips for details.
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 its last stop: Orselina Funicolare, at 378 m.
Alternatively, you can catch a bus or make 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.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
2026 operation dates
Section 1, Locarno-Orselina (funicular)
The funicular operates from Locarno to Orselina runs year-long.
Section 2, Orselina Cardada (cable car)
- Operates daily from 20 December 2025 to 8 November 2026.
- There's a maintenance break from 9 November to mid- or late December 2026.
Section 3, Cardada-Cimetta (chair lift)
- Operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays (except for 25 December) from 20 December 2025 to 15 March 2026.
- Operates daily from 16 March to 8 November 2026.
- A revision break starts on 9 November.
How to plan your excursion to Cardada-Cimetta
Consult the schedules through the links below. You can also plan 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 during a large part of the year. Overall, I recommend a visit from early April to early November:
- That's when the chairlift to Cimetta operates daily.
- I 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 destinations. You could be lucky and experience snow during the winter months though.
Weather tips and forecast for Cardada-Cimetta
Check the weather forecast, so you can estimate if it's worth it to 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'll need appropriate gear if you plan to hike.
What to see and do during your mountain excursion
What to do at Cardada
This is what you can see and do 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 restaurant with a panorama terrace and a children’s playground.
- More family fun is available. Walk the play path for example, with all kinds of games. Or take the barefoot tactile path, go geocaching, or solve the treasure hunt riddles.
- Hiking, mountain biking, and Nordic walking are possible too.
What to expect at Cimetta
This is what you can do at Cimetta:
- There’s a restaurant with a terrace.
- The observation platform offers 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.
- Just as at Cardada, geocaching is available here.
- You can visit the small alpine lake, that’s been constructed as a water reservoir and buffer against forest fires in the summer season.
- Make a tandem paragliding flight to the valley.
What to see and do in winter
If there is sufficient snow, you can sled at both Cardada and Cimetta. There’s no groomed downhill run, but you will find gradual slopes to have some fun. In addition, you can go snowshoeing on one of the three groomed trails from Cardada. Equipment can be rented at the cable car station.
What else to do on the same day
On average, a visit all the way to Cimetta takes about half a day, unless you engage in several of the activities.
If you have time left, I feel that the famous church Madonna del Sasso in Orselina (on the route to Cardada-Cimetta) is well 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.
➤ Find tickets and tours
Promotions
There are currently no promotions available.
- www.cardada.ch: activities at Cardada-Cimetta
Schedules
- www.cardada.ch: Cardada-Cimetta timetable
- www.funicolarelocarno.ch: timetable of the funicular to Madonna del Sasso and Orselina
Prices
- www.cardada.ch: Cardada-Cimetta ticket prices
- www.funicolarelocarno.ch: prices for the funicular to Madonna del Sasso and Orselina
Madonna del Sasso
Town walk Locarno
Boat Lake Maggiore
One day Ticino
