Monte Lema

9 Highlights of Monte Lema

• Monte Lema is located in Ticino at 1624 m above sea level.
• The large swing of the "Swing the World" project offers a magnificent panoramic view and popular photo motifs.
• Paraglider pilots overcome a height difference of about 850 m to the landing sites in the valley.
• The cable car consists of three coupled cabins. Thus, it takes 45 people to the summit in just seven minutes.
• On Monte Lema it is possible to hike along 80 km of trails.
• Model pilots like to meet on the summit to fly and land their models safely.
• Paragliders and mountain bikers can transport their equipment by cable car.
• The cable car and summit area are wheelchair accessible and therefore accessible to all.
• On the summit you will find an observatory, a children's playground and a restaurant.

Monte Lema is a paradise for nature lovers, hikers and adventurers and has something for everyone. Very popular are hikes and mountain bike rides to or from Monte Tamaro.

Sights on Monte Lema

Monte Lema has one thing to offer above all: magnificent views. Located between Lake Lugano, deep valleys and Lake Maggiore, it offers a good all-round view.

Restaurant Vetta Lema da Güsti

The mountain restaurant is actually much more than a restaurant. It has, of course, a wonderful panoramic terrace that is easily accessible even with strollers or wheelchairs. The seating areas are very comfortably furnished. Inside there are two more rooms with 30 and 60 seats respectively. But you can also spend the night here. There are:

• 3 single rooms
• 5 double rooms
• 3 triple rooms

Children's playground and "Swing the World" at Monte Lema

The children's playground was built not far from the restaurant in natural wood. It consists of:

• panoramic slide
• rope slide
• swing
• and a lot of space for safe playing.

"Swing the World" is a project that brings people into nature. The big swings always offer a unique view. The swing at Monte Lema is located on the large meadow and offers a wonderful view from the top. This swing is suitable for taking excellent and impressive photos. By the way, the swing is only one of the 100 things you can do for free in Switzerland.

Monte Lema Observatory

The observatory at the top of Monte Lema is run by the association "Le Pleiadi". It is perfect for observing the sky and identifying planets, stars, star nebulae or strange galaxies.

The observatory uses a reflector telescope that has a diameter of 410 mm and three focal lengths: F:10; F:5; F:3 (at the first focal point). Its lenses are made of Ceramic glass and are mounted in a tube made of carbon fiber. A microprocessor allows automatic alignment with the celestial bodies.

Monte Lema cable car

The mountain railroad is a cable car with two times three gondolas connected to each other. Each ride can carry up to 45 people. The cable car climbs about 850 meters in 7 minutes.

It runs every 30 min from the beginning of April to the beginning of November, and every 60 min in case of bad weather. In case of high passenger volume, the cable car runs continuously.

• Bottom station: Miglieglia (717 m above sea level)
• Mountain station: Monte Lema (1566 m a.s.l.)

The bottom station in Miglieglia is easily accessible by car (free parking) and by public transport.

Paragliders and mountain bikes may be transported with appropriate tickets. The barrier-free cableway also takes dogs, from a certain size with ticket.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket Gondola Monte Lema

Activities on Monte Lema

Besides hiking and paragliding, mountain bike tours are very popular on Monte Lema. At the top of the peak, model airplane enthusiasts also meet regularly with their treasures.

Mountain biking on Monte Lema

You can take your mountain bike with you (for a fee) in the cable car. You will find two main routes on Monte Lema between the summit and the valley station that you can ride with your mountain bike.

Route A starts directly at the summit and takes you down to Miglieglia in about 4 hours. Route B starts slightly below the summit at Alpe Fontana and takes shortcuts so that you are already at the valley station in 2 hours. This route leads almost exclusively over gravel roads and is a bit more strenuous.

route	length (km)	time (hrs.)	difficulty	trail condition
Monte Lema - Alpe di Arasio - Forcora di Arasio - Alpone - Sarona - Curiglia - Due Cossani - Trezzino - Santuario - Astano - Novaggio - Miglieglia	25	4	medium	50% gravel, 50% asphalt
Alpe Fontana - Forcola - Cima Pianca - Miglieglia	13	2	medium to difficult	90 % gravel, 10 % asphalt

Furthermore, between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro you will find four signposted ski runs with a total length of 80 km. Please always remember that hikers use the same paths and always have the right of way.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket mountain biking on Monte Lema

Monte Lema Hikes

The hikes are easy to difficult mountain hikes. Footwear suitable for mountain use is essential here. Children should be secured with a rope on steep trails.

One of the most beautiful hikes is the high trail between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro. Here you can enjoy an unbeatable panorama that not only shows the Leventina and the surrounding valleys. It extends to the Valais Alps in the west with the glaciers visible from far away. To the north you can see the Bernese Oberland and to the east you can see the Grisons Alps and the Engadine.

On the way you will pass the following peaks:

• Monte Lema top station starting point (1566 m a.s.l.)
• Monte Magno (1636 m a.s.l.)
• Monte Gradiccioli (1936 m a.s.l.)
• Monte Tamaro (1962 m a.s.l.)
• Monte Tamaro Alpe Foppa mountain station (1530 m a.s.l.)

You can easily bypass the actual summits of Gradiccioli and Monte Tamaro, saving up to 160 meters in altitude if the climb is too difficult for you. Take the cable car down to Rivera, where a bus will be waiting for you. It will take you back to Miglieglia.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Hiking ticket Monte Lema-Monte Tamaro

A small selection from countless hiking opportunities:

route	length (km)	time (hrs)	difficulty	condition	meters of altitude↑	meters of altitude↓
Altitude hike Monte Lema - Monte Tamaro	13.1	5:00	T2	difficult	962	933
Panorama trail Monte Lema	1.3	0:30	-	easy	85	84
Border trail Monte Lema - Passo di Monte Faeta/Forcola - Astano	6.4	2:10	T2	difficult	62	988
Monte Lema - Miglieglia	6.2	2:45	-	easy	9	821
Miglieglia - Monte Lema - Sessa	16.4	8:00	T2	medium	888	1233

Paragliding Monte Lema

Paragliders are always drawn to the summit of Monte Lema. The altitude difference is about 850 meters. Paragliders may be transported on the mountain railroad. You need a ticket "paragliding" for this. By the way, this also applies to delta pilots.

From the summit and during the flight you will not only see the beautiful Ticino lake landscape. You can also admire the snow-covered Bernese Alps and even the huge glaciers of the Valais.

From Monte Lema, cross-country flights of up to 200 km are possible. You can fly from here to the Engadine. But usually the flight ends in Miglieglia near the valley station of the cable car or on wide meadows of Monteggio or Sessa.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Ticket paragliding from Monte Lema

How to get to Monte Lema

Monte Lema is located in Ticino near the Italian border. You can get to the mountain by cable car from the valley station Miglieglia.

By public transport

From Lugano you can take the SBB train to Miglieglia via the Lamone-Cadempino station. Then take the post bus no. 423 in the direction of Magliaso. Get off at the stop Miglieglia, Paese. In total the trip takes about 50 min. From Cademario, Kurhaus or Novaggio you take the post bus 427 to Miglieglia, Paese. Travelers who want to arrive in Miglieglia can go via Magliaso FLP station

By car

By car you arrive via the A2 freeway and take the Lugano North exit from the freeway. Continue in the direction of Ponte Tresa, from Magliaso/Caslano in the direction of Miglieglia.

Monte Lema is one of the most impressive peaks in Ticino. This natural oasis not only offers a vast expanse of meadows, it also has a whole network of hiking trails. Whether as a ridge trail or along the gentle slopes, you'll experience the mountain world up close everywhere. Forests of chestnut, oak and beech alternate with herb meadows where Scottish Highland cattle or horses graze.