Have you ever seen the lowest and the highest points of Switzerland at the same moment? From Cardada Cimetta, it’s possible. Locarno’s local mountain can be reached in less than half an hour from Lake Maggiore and is ideal for a family day out: easy to organise, varied, and suitable for all ages, with nature, play, and breathtaking views.
The day begins along Locarno’s lakeside promenade, between Piazza Grande, cafés, and palm trees overlooking Lake Maggiore. After a short stroll, you take the funicular up to Orselina and continue by cable car - designed by the Ticino architect Mario Botta - which in just a few minutes brings you to Cardada. In no time, the doors open onto a completely different landscape.
At altitude, in Cardada, the panorama unfolds all at once. The lake sparkles below, the Magadino Plain stretches eastwards, and the peaks of the Valais Alps frame the horizon. The viewing platform extends out into open space: standing on this platform, you really do feel close to the clouds. Children immediately find their place at the Ark of Noah playground - swings, climbing structures and themed play areas - while adults take time to soak in the view.
A gentle path winds through the chestnut forest, linking picnic areas and small play stations, and leads to the Colmanicchio restaurant. The terrace overlooks the lake, offering a view well worth the journey. Here you can enjoy polenta, braised beef, and - for the little ones - an ice cream with a panorama included. It’s a place to rediscover the pleasure of simple things.
After lunch, the open chairlift takes you even higher, up to Cimetta at 1,671 metres above sea level. Here you’ll find “Swing the World”: a swing suspended over the void, with the lake at your feet and the Dufourspitze on the horizon. Those who dare quite literally swing above the valley.
Next to the swing, the geological platform tells a story spanning millions of years. A red line marks the Insubric Line, the fault where the European and African plates met, giving rise to the Alps. Clear, illustrated panels make the 360° panorama easy to understand and engaging even for younger visitors. On the clearest days, the view stretches as far as the Ligurian Apennines.
From Cimetta, you can also observe at the same time Switzerland’s lowest point, Lake Maggiore (193 m), and its highest, the Dufourspitze (4,634 m).
The descent follows the same route, by chairlift, cable car and funicular. Back in Locarno, the light reflecting on the lake seems even more intense. Cardada Cimetta remains a simple yet complete excursion: a mountain for families, where nature, play, and panoramic views come together effortlessly.
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