The Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema crossing is THE classic route in the Lugano region of southern Switzerland.
Part of the Sentiero Lago di Lugano long-distance trail, this section connects two of Ticino’s best-known peaks, with a scenic traverse along ridgelines and alpine terrain.
Although the trail includes a few challenging climbs, the sweeping views across mountains, lakes and valleys around the Swiss-Italy border make it worth it.
Keep reading for all the details to plan your hike.
Quick Info
| Region | Lugano Region, Ticino Switzerland |
| Start: | Monte Tamaro gondola – Via Campagnole 6, 6802 Rivera |
| End | Monta Lema cable car – Via Monte Lema 2, 6986 Lema |
| By car: | Parking at Tamaro gondola From Lugano 15 mins, Bellinzona 16 mins, Locarno 25 mins, Luzern 2h, Zürich 2h20 |
| By public transport: | Rivera-Bironico train station From Lugano 15 mins, Bellinzona 18 mins, Locarno 40 mins, Zürich or Luzern 2h |
| Trail: | 5h • ⬇️ trail map |
| Distance: | 13.1 km one way |
| Difficulty: | challenging +985m -950m |
| Condition: | mountain trail with uneven rocky terrain |
| Elevation: | highest point 1961m |
| Open: | mid May to October • trail status |
| Cost 2026: | “Traverse” hiking ticket CHF 46/adult |
| Discounts: | 50% off with Swiss Travel Pass & Half Fare Card 20% off with Ticino Ticket |
| Services: | restaurants at both ends of trail, no services on trail |
| More info: | lemamountain.ch • montetamaro.ch • webcam • forecast |
Gallery
These pics are from our hike on the first weekend in June.
Trail Overview
Here’s the summer map for the Tamaro-Lema mountain area. See full map on the Lema website.
Hiking map
My trail map below shows the trail starting at Alpe Foppa, the top of the Tamaro gondola. The trail ends at the Monte Lema cable car station. You could hike this in reverse.
See map on Komoot • SchweizMobil • OutdoorActive
Trail conditions
The trail is a well-maintained mountain hiking path, with typical uneven rocky terrain and some stairs. Suitable for average hikers with good fitness, including older children with experience hiking.
It’s not a particularly dangerous trail, but there are a couple sections with steep slopes to the side, where you need to proceed carefully. No exposed sections with ladders or chains.
Shorter options
For a shorter hike, you can hike up to the Monte Tamaro peak and back down to the gondola, where you can ride the coaster. This is a great option for kids that are not quite ready for the longer distance. See trail info.
At Monte Lema, you can ride the cable car up for the views and do a short hike around the peak.
Longer version
This trail is Stage 2 of Sentiero Lago di Lugano, a 135km hiking route divided into nine stages. You can extend the hike on either side, hiking up or down Monte Tamaro or Monte Lema.
How to get there
This trail is located near Lugano, in the Ticino region of southern Switzerland.
It’s a one-way trail, with public transport connecting the ends of the hike. Our instructions have you start at Monte Tamaro and end at Monte Lema. You could hike the opposite direction.
IMPORTANT: Note the closing times of the mountain transport so you don’t miss the last ride down the mountain.
By public transport:
Take a train to Rivera-Bironico then a 5 min walk to the Tamaro gondola station.
The trail ends at Monte Lema, where you ride a cable car down to Migleiglia. Then bus + train to return to Lugano.
There are two routes from Miglieglia, Paese bus stop (3 min walk from cable car). Both take about 1 hour. Check schedule.
- bus to Lamon Cadempino station, then train to Lugano
- bus to Magliaso station, then train to Lugano
By car:
We suggest parking at the Tamaro gondola station – Via Campagnole 1, 6802 Monteceneri.
When you end the hike at Monte Lema, take the cable car down to Miglieglia.
Then 3 min walk to the Miglieglia, Paese bus stop. Ride the bus to Lamon Cadempino station. Then train to Rivera-Bironico and short walk to your car in the Tamaro parking. This whole journey takes about 1 hour.
Alternatively, you could also park at the Lamon Cadempino station and take the train to Rivera-Bironico for the Tamaro cable car. At the end of the day, you get to your car a bit quicker.
Hiker Shuttle
When the trail and cable cars are open, there is shuttle bus that travels between the cable cars, once at the end of the day, both directions. You can purchase a “Traverse” hiking ticket that includes this shuttle.
From Lema, you must descend the cable car at 16:40 to catch the 17:20 shuttle. You arrive at Rivera at 18:00. This is faster than taking the bus+train connection above. More info.
Planning your day
When to go
The Tamaro-Lema trail is usually open from the second weekend of May through mid October. Check the trail status on the Lema website before heading out.
The hike is about 5 hours walking time, 6+ hours with breaks. We suggest starting the hike by 9am to make sure you definitely catch the last cable car down:
- Tamaro last ride down: 18:00 July-August, 17:00 other months. See Tamaro operating times
- Lema last ride down: 17:40 July-August, 17:10 other months. See Lema operating times
Costs
You’ll need a “Traverse” hiking ticket that includes one-way on the aerial cableways on each side of the trail.
In 2026, this ticket costs CHF 46/adult.
You can also purchase a Traverse ticket that includes the special hiker shuttle bus back to your starting point.
Discounts
Discount 50% with Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card. Discount 20% with Ticino Ticket, free with overnight stays in the region.
You can sometimes get a SBB Railaway combo offer, with a discount on the train here and hiking ticket.
Where to eat on the trail
At the top of the Tamaro gondola, you’ll find Ristorante Alpe Foppa with a self-service cafe. For a quick and easy option, they offer a “Brunch to Go” bag to enjoy on the trail. Our kit included a croissant with jam & butter, cake, pretzel, hard boiled egg, and delicious assortment of dried meats and cheese.
After 1 hour hiking, you’ll pass Capanna Tamaro, a mountain hut with a cafe serving drinks and simple meals.
After that, there are no services until you reach Monte Lema, about 4-5 hours more, depending on your hiking speed. Bring plenty of water and enough snacks to sustain you thru the day.
We passed two honesty shops with drinks and a cash box (first one and second one). But do not rely on this for your liquids.
At Monte Lema, you’ll find Ristorante 1624 next to the cable car station. They have a nice outdoor terrace with a view, simple menu of Ticino classics, cold drinks, and toilets.
Where to stay
In Lugano
Lugano is the natural base for this hike, only 15 min train ride to the Tamaro gondola. After the hike, you can cool off in the lake and have plenty of delicious restaurants to choose from.
For convenience, Hotel Federale is a great choice, just a couple minutes walk from the Lugano train station and old town center. We left our bags here while we hiked, then easily picked them up before catching the train back to Zürich.
Their rooms have comfortable beds and air conditioning. Their restaurant has a peaceful terrace, a nice place to breakfast before the hike. For families, they have rooms with three twins and quad rooms with a sofa bed.
If you prefer to stay lakeside, we would choose International au Lac or for a luxury splurge, Hotel Splendide Royal.
For a budget stay, try ibis budget Lugano Paradiso or Lugano Savosa Youth Hotel (slightly outside the city).
Stay on the mountain
If you want to shorten the hike, you could stay at Capanna Tamaro. You could arrive in the afternoon and do the first climb of one hour to the hut. The next day, start fresh for the climb to the Tamaro peak. Reserve via email.
At Monte Lema, Ristorante 1624 has a few simple rooms for overnights. Or near Lema cable car valley station, Casa Santo Stefano is a cute guesthouse.
Photo story of trail
Riding gondola to Alpe Foppa
We started in Lugano, riding the train 15 mins to Rivera-Brionico. The ticket is included with the Ticino Ticket.
From the station, it’s about a 5 min walk to the Tamaro gondola. You can buy tickets on-site with cards. You don’t have to buy tickets in advance.
Enjoy the ride up in these new comfy gondola cars.
Alpe Foppa
The cable car brings you to Alpe Foppa at 1480m. There is a restaurant here and toilets, last real services
Climb to Monte Tamaro
Start the hike by following signs to Monte Tamaro, the first peak. The first hour is on a wide rocky service road with switchbacks, as shown here.
Leaving Alpe Foppa behind, walking on the rocky road.
This part is a big of slog. Listen to some motivating music.
Almost done with the first tough climb, looking back down to Alpe Foppa where we started.
After about an hour, you reach Capanna Tamaro, which has a cafe. Toilets for customers only.
From here, it’s a mild traverse across some rocky terrain, a nice break before the next climb.
Monte Tamaro Peak
Now heading straight up to the Tamaro peak.
This bit is very steep with tricky footing on the rocks. Pick your way thoughtfully and take your time.
Arriving at the Tamaro viewpoint. Usually lots of people taking a break up here.
Nice views down to Locarno-Ascona.
Looking back on the trail we just did.
Descending Monte Tamaro
Now we descend the peak, with a view of the ridge trail ahead.
A little break here thru soft grass.
Lots of flowering bushes in early June.
Looking back at Monte Tamaro after the descent.
Traverse the ridge
Now another steep climb and a self-service snack shack on the other side, about 2h30 into the hike.
Passing by the second self-service drink hut at Passo d’Agario, about 3h30 into the hike.
Ending at Monte Lema
Happy to have Lema in sight.
For the final climb, you have a choice of the zigzag trail on the left or straight up with stairs on the right.
Here’s the split before you do the final climb. We took the stairs on the right.
Arriving at the Lema station. You can hike a little extra up to the peak if you are a completist. But we were definitely done and ready for a refreshing beverage.
View from the restaurant terrace
The gondola leaves every 30 mins on the xx:10 and XX:40. Check schedule.
