Monte Tamaro • Hike to mountain peak

This hike to the Monte Tamaro peak is a nice challenge with the great reward of panorama views across the Ticino region. Unlike other mountains where the cable car takes you right to top, the Tamaro cable car only takes you half-way up and you have to earn the rest of your views.

The hike has steep climbs but also beautiful traverses around mountains and down grassy slopes. I had resisted going to Monte Tamaro because I thought this tough trail would be a hard sell to my family. But we loved it and I’m so glad we made the effort.

If you don’t want to hike, there are still great views and plenty of amusements at the top of the cable car at Alpe Foppa at 1530m. There’s a restaurant and big playground with panorama views. You can ride the Alpine Coaster Bob (800m) and Flying Fox zip line. There is a short panorama stroll to stretch your legs. For a little excitement, there is a ropes climbing park and even an indoor water park in the valley if the weather turns. 

Location

Monte Tamaro is a mountain near Locarno in the Ticino region of southern Switzerland (see on Google Maps). The trail is accessed by a gondola.

Monte Tamaro Overview

Here is the summer map for Monte Tamaro. As you can see the cable car brings you up to Alpe Foppa at 1530m. You have to hike the rest of the way to the peak. But most families stay around Alpe Foppa, enjoying the many amusements including a big playground, ropes climbing park, alpine coaster, zip line, restaurants. It’s also a popular mountain biking area – so many mountain bikes on our trail! There’s also an indoor water slide park Splash n’ Spa near the parking lot.

Hiking map

We hiked from the top of the cable car at Alpe Foppa to the Monte Tamaro peak as shown on the trail map below. You can shorten this hike, but just hiking up to the hut (about 2.8km there, 250m elevation gain), then back. But once you get to the hut, it seems a shame not to continue up to the Tamaro peak.

Longer option: The other popular hike in this area is hiking from Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema. But this is an all-day one way hike that requires some planning because there are limited bus shuttles on the Lema side. That one is still on my list. See details here.

Shorter option: The Monte Tamaro website promotes a couple short “health walks” near the cable car that don’t require climbing the mountain. But I must say that they didn’t look like much and the map is misleading. See the map of 1km panorama loop that I saw many families doing.

FYI, I also considered hiking from Alpe Foppa to Alpe di Neggia, which was promoted on their website. However the bus connections on the Alpe di Neggia side are terrible (over 2hrs back to our car at Rivera), so this was a no go. 

The Monte Tamaro website lists a few other hikes but honestly, none of them looked appealing to me.

How to get there

The Monte Tamaro cable car leaves from the village Rivera, which is easily accessible by car or train. 

By car: Drive to Rivera and follow signs to the Monte Tamaro cable car Via Campagnole 1, 6802 Rivera TI (46°07’36.5″N 8°55’12.3″E). There is a large metered parking lot next to the cable car and water park (Splash n’ Spa). You pay for the parking at the end of your visit.

By train: Take the train to Rivera-Bironico. Then a short 7 min walk to the Tamaro cable car as shown on the map below. There are signs pointing the way.

Ticket Prices

In 2023, the gondola return ticket costs CHF 31/adult, CHF 16/child. A 50% discount for SBB GA, Half-fare, Swiss Travel Pass and children aged 6-15, under 6 free. A 20% discount with Ticino Ticket. Junior cards accepted.

The amusements cost extra and can be purchased either at the cable car ticket office or near the amusements (meaning you can decide later). The coaster costs CHF 5/ride, CHF 22/5 rides, CHF 42/10 rides. The zip line costs CHF 8/ride. The climbing park costs CHF 31/adult, CHF 21/child, CHF 14 for minis (age 4-7), but better to buy a combo with the cable car ticket. 

Operating Times

The cable car is usually open from April through early November. It runs continuously from 8:30 – 17:00 (until 18:00 in July & August). Check current schedule and prices.

1. Riding up to Alpe Foppa 

Here we are getting on the cable car. FYI, these little 4person gondola cars are tiny! Take your backpack off before you get on and be ready to sit down immediately, no fussing with your stuff. I felt like I was being loaded onto a ride at Disneyland. You can take folded up strollers but I think they usually load it in a separate car.

Here’s a view of the parking lot.

Here’s a view of the ride up.

Note: if you are doing the ropes climbing park, it’s at the middle station, not at Alpe Foppa.

2. Arriving at Alpe Foppa 1530m

The Tamaro cable car brings you to Alpe Foppa at 1530m, where you have beautiful views toward Bellinzona. Even if you aren’t hiking, you can simply wander around this area enjoying the view. Definitely walk out on this church/bridge thing and snap some pics.

There is a big playground right next to the cable car.

Above the playground, you’ll find a restaurant next to this little lake.

The alpine coaster is just above the restaurant. You can buy tickets for it in the restaurant, not at the coaster itself. Tickets cost CHF 5/ride or a multi-pack for a discount. Children 3+ may ride with an adult (you have to use two tickets). Children aged 8+ and 135cm tall may ride alone.

Here’s the coaster car. There’s a seatbelt, which you need because you are going very fast. You control your speed with the handbrakes on the side. Pull back to brake, push forward to speed up. You can leave your backpack and other gear at the bottom and retrieve them after the ride (not secure, so don’t leave your wallet). Don’t wear a hat, it will probably fly off.

Profi tip: You do not want to get stuck behind a slow rider. Some riders are timid and ride the brakes the whole time. You will quickly catch up, then you and everyone behind you has to go slow the rest of the way. I have some techniques to avoid this. First, do not get in line behind an adult with a small child or a grandparent. I’m not judging all of you but these people tend to go slow. Let a few teens go between you and them. The teens will go fast, bump into the grandma and create more buffer room for you. Second, take a lot of time getting on to your car, fussing with your stuff, forgetting to take off your hat and dealing your loose clothing. Get confused with securing your seatbelt and ask for help. Whatever it takes to create a larger buffer between you and the person ahead of you. You’ll thank me later.

3. Hiking up

Ready to hike? Follow signs to Monte Tamaro and start the uphill climb. The trail starts on a wide rocky road that winds its way up the mountain as shown below. Watch out for mountain bikes that are often passing, going up and down. We kept to the side of the trail just in case. The bikers usually give you some warning but sometimes they didn’t and we had to jump out of the way.

Here’s a sign Monte Tamaro. Even if you aren’t going all the way to the peak, this is the path to the hut as well, labeled Cap. Tamaro, about 1hr from the start.

The road gets quite steep at the top. Sometimes the footpath diverges from the road as shown below.

View back down to Alpe Foppa where we started the hike.

The first climb ends at this tower. Then it’s easy walking for awhile. You are almost to the hut now.

Looking up the trail from the tower. Later you will return here and fork to your left to loop back to Alpe Foppa.

Arriving at the Capanna Tamaro hut at 1881m. They offer drinks and simple meals. When we were there, the only hot meal was soup and polenta, which was yummy but definitely rustic. They also had cake. You could pay in cash or with Twint, but no cards. There is a toilet here, for customers only.

4. Continuing the hike to the Monte Tamaro peak

If you want to continue to the Monte Tamaro peak (you can see it in the distance), continue on the path past the hut. You’ll return on this same path on your way back. 

From the hut, the trail is rocky, but pretty mild for about 20 mins until you reach the final climb to the peak. I loved this part of the trail. The only downside was that in Oct, it was mostly in the shade.

You pass a smaller peak shown on below. Some people climb up there but it’s unnecessary. Just keep on the main path to Tamaro. On the right below, I’m looking back down the trail at that smaller peak.

Last steep bit to the top, which only takes about 10 mins. But take your time. The trail is very rocky and some rocks are slippery. 

5. Monte Tamaro Peak at 1961m

You made it! Congratulations! At the top, there are some benches and this cross. But I couldn’t find a Gipfelbuch to sign, so sad.

View down to Locarno and Lago Maggiore from the top of Monte Tamaro. I felt a strong urge to hike down that side of the mountain. Maybe another time.

View south toward Italy.

It was pretty crowded at the top, but there’s room to wander and find a quiet spot. In this pic in the distance, you can see the tower we passed earlier in the hike.

7. Hiking back down to Alpe Foppa

From Monte Tamaro, follow the same path down, past the hut and toward the tower. Right before you get to the tower, fork to your right following signs to Alpe Foppa 1hr30. It took us about 1hr, but we were hustling.

The trail heads off onto this slope in the sun.

The trail meanders pleasantly down the slope, so quiet compared to the rest of the trail.

So pretty but must be even prettier in summer when it’s all green and full of wildflowers.

When the trail forks, follow signs to Alpe Foppe to the left. You will climb back up the mountain a bit.

We have to go back up but I forgive it because it’s still so pretty.

Now Alpe Foppa is in view.

You are wrapping around the mountain, with the valley view the whole time.

This last tiny climb seemed the hardest of the trip, though it was short and not too bad. We were just tired and so done for the day.

Treat yourself to a cold drink and ice cream. Then ride the cable car back down the mountain.

I hope you enjoy it! Happy Hiking!

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