Monte Generoso: route, prices and insider tips

This page was last updated by Arno on 2 March 2024.

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Monte Generoso: the must-knows

Monte Generoso is the highest peak you can travel to in the Lake Lugano area.
On selected weekends in summer, you can make the ride in a steam train instead of the electric cogwheel trains. (The steam train isn’t operational in 2024 because of maintenance work.)
The views are spectacular: on clear days you can see as far as Milano and the Gotthard mountain range.
We recommend making the short climb to the actual mountain top for the complete 360°C-view.

Min. time required: 2:30

Season: early January to late October and early December to late December

Recommended season: early April to late October

Max. altitude: 1701 m (5581 ft)

What is Monte Generoso?

Monte ("Mount") Generoso is the highest peak in the Lake Lugano region in the Swiss canton of Ticino. It's situated at a ridge of 1,700 m, close to the Italian border. A cogwheel train will take you to the top station "Monte Generoso Vetta" at an altitude of 1,600 m. You can look extremely far and all the way around, as there are no higher peaks obstructing the view.

The 35-minute ride up by electric cogwheel trains is very scenic, especially the second half. On some Saturdays and Sundays in summer, a historical steam train is operational as well.

Monte Generoso prices, tickets and reservations

Monte Generoso prices 2024

The standard price for a return trip to Monte Generoso is CHF 54 per adult in the winter season, and CHF 72 in the summer season. Your rail pass may provide a discount.

Where to buy your Monte Generoso tickets

Tickets for the cogwheel train can be purchased at the train station "Capolago-Riva S. Vitale".

Reservations

Reservation is not required, except for the few steam train rides in summer.

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Discounted tickets with your rail pass

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Discount 50%: Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta (train)
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta (train)
Swiss Travel Pass	Discount 50%: Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta (train)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Discount 50%: Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta (train)
Ticino Ticket	Discount 30%: Capolago-Riva S. Vitale to Generoso Vetta (train)

How to reach Monte Generoso: directions and map

How does the timetable work?

The cogwheel trains to the top depart from the train station "Capolago-Riva S. Vitale", located at the southern-eastern tip of Lake Lugano.

How to reach Capolago

Take the train to Capolago-Riva S. Vitale. This takes about 15 minutes from Lugano.

There are limited boat services to Capolago as well. The boat dock is a 5-minute walk from the train station.

If you arrive by car, you can park it across from the train station.

The ride to the top

Board the cogwheel train to the top from the train station Capolago-Riva S. Vitale.

Soon after departure, the train enters forests. A bit further it enters a tunnel to turn 180° and then reaches the stop "Bellavista", meaning "pretty view". You would need to get off the train for good views here.

After the stop at Bellavista the views from the train get better, as there are fewer trees. You'll see glimpses of the pretty Muggio Valley and wonderful scenery with rolling green hills.

Map with the train route to Monte Generoso

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Operation dates, schedules and timetable

2024 operation dates for Monte Generoso

The trains operate as follows:

from 2 December 2023 until 31 March 2024: during weekends and on public holidays
from 1 April until 27 October 2024: daily

In bad weather, the train service may be suspended.

On selected Saturdays from June to September, you can usually make the ride by a nostalgic steam train instead of an electric train. Unfortunately, this isn't possible in 2024 because of maintenance work on the steam train locomotive.

How to plan your journey to Monte Generoso

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

"Capolago-Riva S. Vitale" for the valley train station
"Capolago-Lago" for the boat dock
"Monte Generoso Vetta" for the mountain station

Best months for your visit

You can visit Monte Generoso during most of the year, except for late October to late November or early December. We prefer visiting in early April to late October, as that's when the ride to the top can be made daily instead of during weekends only.

As long as the skies are clear, you can enjoy the tremendous views in any season. Some specifics:

In early spring and in October, you'll normally see snow on the distant mountain peaks.
If summer temperatures in the valleys and at the lakes of the Ticino rise, the cooler air at Monte Generoso can be a welcome refreshment.

Weather tips and forecast

Check the weather forecasts the day before or the morning of departure, so you can estimate if it's worth going up. If Monte Generoso is covered in clouds you won't be able to enjoy the panorama. And in particularly bad weather, the cogwheel trains may not operate at all.

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. Take along sunglasses. Hiking shoes are recommended if you plan to do more than a short walk.

Forecast for Monte Generoso

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What to see and do at Monte Generoso

You’ll have impressive panoramic views, all the way from Milan to the Gotthard massif. You’ll see many corners of Lake Lugano, lots of mountain peaks, and the city of Lugano across the lake.
The “Fiore di Pietra” (“Stone Flower”) is an impressive building designed by Mario Botta. This famous Swiss architect also designed the church at Monte Tamaro, plus many other buildings in Switzerland and around the world. The “Fiore di Pietra” houses a self-service restaurant with a terrace, an à la carte restaurant that’s open from early May to late October, and exhibition and conference rooms.
There’s a playground for kids.
You can take various walks and longer hikes. The 15-minute walk to the actual peak is worth it to get the full 360°-view. Hiking back down to the valley takes about 3 hours.
In spring and summer, you’ll see an abundance of flowers and herbs while hiking. Please note that it’s forbidden to pluck any. Not only flora, but fauna too is interesting here: you may spot several of the 300 to 350 chamois that live at Monte Generoso!
Other sports options are mountain biking and paragliding.

The best side of the train to sit on

Most of the good views are on the right side of the train, but don’t forget the left side for some very nice lake views.

What more to do on the same day

A visit to Monte Generoso can be combined with a boat trip over Lake Lugano. The Swissminiatur park at Melide, located between Lugano and Monte Generoso, is great for children. You could also explore Lugano with this city walk.