MySwissAlps.com includes 
Min. time required: 2:00
Season: all year
Recommended season: early April to late October
Max. altitude: 1530 m (5020 ft)What is Monte Tamaro? 
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.
I 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
Monte Tamaro prices 2026
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.
- The zipline costs CHF 8.
- One toboggan run costs CHF 5. The cost per run is lower if you buy a ticket for multiple runs.
- Entry to the Adventure Park costs CHF 46 per adult and CHF 14 to CHF 23 per child, depending on the trail you choose.
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.
➤ Discounted gondola rides with your rail pass
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Day Pass | No discount:
|
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Discount 50%:
|
| Ticino Ticket | Discount 20%:
|
How to reach Monte Tamaro: directions and map
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.
Operation dates, schedules, and timetable
2026 operation dates
Winter season
The cable car operates on weekends from 10 November 2025 to 31 March 2026. In addition, there's daily operation:
- from 26 December to 6 January
- from 14 February to 22 February
Summer season
The cable car operates from 1 April to 8 November 2026.
How to plan your journey 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
I like visiting Monte Tamaro best from early April to late October. This is when the gondolas operate daily. Specifics:
- During April and May, you can usually still see snow on the surrounding mountains. That really ads to the scenery in my opinion.
- June to September is the perfect time to explore the hiking trails or take mountain bike rides in addition to the other adventure activities.
- October and early November are generally much quieter than the summer months, and great for a relaxed visit.
Weather tips and forecast
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.
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.
➤ Trusted Monte Tamaro ticket purchase options
- www.ticino.ch: mountain hut Capanna Tamaro
- www.montetamaro.ch: rope park, zip line and toboggan run
- www.montetamaro.ch: the new cableway
Schedules
- www.montetamaro.ch: Monte Tamaro timetable
Prices
- www.montetamaro.ch: Monte Tamaro ticket prices
Swiss Coupon Pass
Cardada-Cimetta
Monte Brè
Monte San Salvatore
Locarno
Lugano
