Tremorgio is a small mountain lake just south of the Gotthard tunnel. There is a short walk along the lake, big grassy areas for running around, and lots of places to build a fire and have a picnic. There are a couple waterfalls and rivers flowing into the lake, which makes fun places to jump around and throw rocks. We love this place and hope you do too.
| Location: | Ticino Switzerland |
| Address: | Nucleo Rodi 2, 6772 Prato (Leventina) |
| Car: | 1hr40 from Zurich Parking GPS: 46°29’23.3″N 8°44’10.4″E |
| Train: | 2hr40 from Zurich HB, CHF 53.60 Adult Half-fare Bus Stop: Rodi, colonia Von Mentlen |
| Trail: | 3km round trip |
| Condition: | dirt path, not suitable for strollers |
| Skill: | easy |
| Open: | early June to early October |
| Cost 2016: | cable car CHF 20 adult, CHF 7 child |
| Services: | restaurant |
| More info: | www.capannatremorgio.ch |
Overview
The Tremorgio lake is Ticino in southern Switzerland, near the southern end of the Gotthard tunnel.
You take a cable car up, then just a couple minutes walk to reach the lake. The trail is an unmarked path along the lake shore. We hoped we could walk all the way around, but on the far side, the trail didn’t look passable, so we simply walked back the way we came, about 3 km round trip.
The path is not suitable for strollers, but we were able to use our stroller for about half of the trail. After that it was too rocky, so we ditched the stroller and continued on foot. There is a restaurant near the cable car station. There are other more difficult trails leaving from this point.
Getting There
By car: Drive to Rodi-Fiesso on the south side of the Gotthard tunnel. Follow signs to the Tremorgio cable car and park in the free lot adjacent to the cable car (Strada di Rodi 43, 6772 Prato). From Zürich, it takes about 1h45min unless there is traffic at the tunnel.
By public transport: The closest bus stop to the cable car is Rodi, Posta. This is accessed by bus 191 from Airolo (about 13 mins) or Faido train stations. From Zürich or Luzern, this is a long journey, over 3hrs. From Locarno, about 1hr45.
Note: When you search for connections, SBB will suggest that you connect through Bellinzona, which is a bit faster but much more expensive because you travel much farther south on a direct train to Bellinzona, then backtrack.
Operating Times & Tickets
The cable car runs daily 7:30 to 19:00 from early June to mid-October. It fits 8 people and takes about 6 minutes to reach the top. See current news and operating times here.
Return ticket CHF 20/adult, CHF 16 child aged 6-17, under 6 free. Slightly reduced fare if you have the Ticino Ticket. No reductions for SBB Half-fare or GA or other travel cards. SBB Junior cards not accepted. You can pay with cash or card.
Arriving at Tremorgio
From the cable car station, walk straight out to the lake. Don’t follow the yellow trail signs that point right and left.
Before you get to the lake, you’ll pass this restaurant.
It has a great view and a few years ago, the food was great. I hope it hasn’t changed.
Here’s the first view you’ll have of the lake.
The first part of the lake has big grassy areas and plenty of room to run around and throw rocks into the lake. It’s too cold for swimming.
Walking around the lake
There isn’t a marked trail around the lake, but there is a well-worn foot path. Just follow that. It goes mostly around the lake but eventually the mountain gets steep and the trail disappears.
At the far side of the lake, there’s a stream flowing into the river. Our boys had a good time playing in the icy water.
After this point, the path gets very rocky. Definitely no strollers after this point. We left ours on the other side of the river.
Both times we’ve gone in early July and there was some snow still around the lake. We had to walk over some snow packs. It’s possible that when you go, the snow will prevent you from walking very far.
As you wrap around the lake, you reach another grassy area. There are not official fire pits, but other hikers have built some that you can use.
We stopped our hike at this waterfall and river.
Here’s the river flowing into the lake. It’s a little tricky to walk across the river. I’d recommend river shoes that can get wet and you’ll need to help your kids so they don’t fall in.
We tried to follow the trail after this point, but the vegetation got really thick and we lost the trail. So just turn around and go back the way you came.
Wild Camping
We saw some people camping in tents and we got excited. They said they asked for permission at the restaurant. So we came back the next year and did the same, asking at the mountain restaurant then settling in for the night. It was fun to “wild camp” for a change, instead of camping at the big Euro-style trailer park campgrounds. There was no water or toilets when the restaurant was closed, so plan ahead. Also, the cable car shuts down at 19:00, so if you have an emergency after that, tough luck.
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Across the valley from Tremorgio is another beautiful alpine lake, Lago Ritom.
