Recommended based on recent reviews
“I had a great time taking part in this outdoor activity and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. I felt safe thanks to the professional coaches who gave clear instructions and patiently taught me how to use the equipment. The gear was in excellent condition, and the whole activity was fun, safe, and well organized. I would definitely recommend it.”
“The views at the top and the challenge of getting there were great. Our guide was excellent company and helped us feel confident.”
“No doubt, this was the most incredible and wonderful experience I have ever had. Anyone visiting Grindelwald should definitely give it a try.”
“Loved it! Lovely instructors, great experience.”
“Dino is a great pilot with lots of experience. The view was so amazing !!”
“Seeing the mountains up close.”
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Travel Guide
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.
Monte Lema has one main draw: stunning views. Nestled between Lake Lugano, deep valleys, and Lake Maggiore, it offers a fantastic panoramic view.
The mountain restaurant is much more than just a place to eat. It features a beautiful panoramic terrace that's easily accessible even with a stroller or wheelchair. The seating areas are incredibly cozy. Inside, there are two rooms with 30 and 60 seats respectively. Plus, you can even stay overnight. Accommodation options include:
The playground was built just a short distance from the restaurant, using natural wood. It features:
“Swing the World” is a project that connects people with nature. The large swings always provide a unique view. The swing on Monte Lema is located on a large meadow and offers a fantastic view from the summit. This swing is perfect for capturing amazing photos. By the way, the swing is just one of the 100 things you can do for free in Switzerland.
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.
The mountain cable car is a cableway that connects two sets of three gondolas. Each trip can carry up to 45 passengers. The ride takes around 7 minutes and covers approximately 850 meters of elevation.
It operates every 30 minutes from early April to early November, and every 60 minutes in bad weather. During peak times, the cable car runs continuously.
The valley station in Miglieglia is easily accessible by car (free parking available) and public transport.
Paragliders and mountain bikes can be transported with the appropriate tickets. The accessible cable car also takes dogs, provided they have a ticket if they are of a certain size.
Available on Swiss Activities:
Besides hiking and paragliding, mountain biking tours are particularly popular at Monte Lema. Additionally, the summit regularly attracts model aircraft enthusiasts with their prized collections.
You can take your mountain bike (for a fee) on the cable car. There are two main routes between the summit and the valley station that you can ride your mountain bike on at Monte Lema.
Route A starts right at the summit and takes about 4 hours of riding to reach the valley in Miglieglia. Route B starts just below the summit at Alpe Fontana and has shortcuts, allowing you to reach the valley station in just 2 hours. This route is predominantly on gravel paths 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 hard | 90 % gravel, 10 % asphalt |
Additionally, you will find four marked trails between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro, covering a total of 80 km. Always keep in mind that hikers use the same paths and have the right of way.
Offer from Swiss Activities:
The hikes range from easy to difficult mountain treks. Proper hiking shoes are a must here. You should secure children on steep paths with a rope.
One of the most beautiful hikes is the trail between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro. Here, you can enjoy an unbeatable panorama that shows not only the Leventina and the surrounding valleys but also extends to the Valais Alps in the west with their prominent glaciers. To the north, you can see into the Bernese Oberland, and to the east, you’ll be overlooking the Grisons Alps and the Engadin.
On your way, you'll pass the following peaks:
You can easily bypass the actual peaks of Gradiccioli and Monte Tamaro, saving yourself up to 160 meters of elevation gain if the climb feels too tough. You can take the cable car down to Rivera, where a bus will already be waiting for you. It will take you back to Miglieglia.
Offer at Swiss Activities:
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 |
Paragliders keep returning to the summit of Monte Lema. The elevation difference is about 850 meters. You can take your paraglider on the funicular as well. You just need a ticket for "Paragliding." This also applies to hang gliders.
From the summit and during your flight, you'll not only see the beautiful lakes of Ticino, but you can also admire the snow-covered Bernese Alps and even the massive glaciers of Valais.
From Monte Lema, you can undertake cross-country flights of up to 200 km. You can fly all the way to the Engadin from here. Typically, however, the flight ends in Miglieglia near the valley station of the cable car, or over the vast meadows of Monteggio or Sessa.
Offer from Swiss Activities:
Monte Lema is located in Ticino near the Italian border. You can get to the mountain by cable car from the valley station Miglieglia.
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
You can reach us via the A2 highway and take the exit Lugano Nord. From there, head towards Ponte Tresa, and from Magliaso/Caslano, continue towards Miglieglia.
Monte Lema is one of the most impressive peaks in Ticino. This natural oasis not only features expansive meadows but also has a whole network of hiking trails. Whether you prefer ridge paths or gentle slopes, you’ll experience the mountain scenery up close everywhere. Forests of chestnuts, oaks, and beeches alternate with herb meadows where Highland cattle or horses graze.
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.
Monte Lema has one main draw: stunning views. Nestled between Lake Lugano, deep valleys, and Lake Maggiore, it offers a fantastic panoramic view.
The mountain restaurant is much more than just a place to eat. It features a beautiful panoramic terrace that's easily accessible even with a stroller or wheelchair. The seating areas are incredibly cozy. Inside, there are two rooms with 30 and 60 seats respectively. Plus, you can even stay overnight. Accommodation options include:
The playground was built just a short distance from the restaurant, using natural wood. It features:
“Swing the World” is a project that connects people with nature. The large swings always provide a unique view. The swing on Monte Lema is located on a large meadow and offers a fantastic view from the summit. This swing is perfect for capturing amazing photos. By the way, the swing is just one of the 100 things you can do for free in Switzerland.
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.
The mountain cable car is a cableway that connects two sets of three gondolas. Each trip can carry up to 45 passengers. The ride takes around 7 minutes and covers approximately 850 meters of elevation.
It operates every 30 minutes from early April to early November, and every 60 minutes in bad weather. During peak times, the cable car runs continuously.
The valley station in Miglieglia is easily accessible by car (free parking available) and public transport.
Paragliders and mountain bikes can be transported with the appropriate tickets. The accessible cable car also takes dogs, provided they have a ticket if they are of a certain size.
Available on Swiss Activities:
Besides hiking and paragliding, mountain biking tours are particularly popular at Monte Lema. Additionally, the summit regularly attracts model aircraft enthusiasts with their prized collections.
You can take your mountain bike (for a fee) on the cable car. There are two main routes between the summit and the valley station that you can ride your mountain bike on at Monte Lema.
Route A starts right at the summit and takes about 4 hours of riding to reach the valley in Miglieglia. Route B starts just below the summit at Alpe Fontana and has shortcuts, allowing you to reach the valley station in just 2 hours. This route is predominantly on gravel paths 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 hard | 90 % gravel, 10 % asphalt |
Additionally, you will find four marked trails between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro, covering a total of 80 km. Always keep in mind that hikers use the same paths and have the right of way.
Offer from Swiss Activities:
The hikes range from easy to difficult mountain treks. Proper hiking shoes are a must here. You should secure children on steep paths with a rope.
One of the most beautiful hikes is the trail between Monte Lema and Monte Tamaro. Here, you can enjoy an unbeatable panorama that shows not only the Leventina and the surrounding valleys but also extends to the Valais Alps in the west with their prominent glaciers. To the north, you can see into the Bernese Oberland, and to the east, you’ll be overlooking the Grisons Alps and the Engadin.
On your way, you'll pass the following peaks:
You can easily bypass the actual peaks of Gradiccioli and Monte Tamaro, saving yourself up to 160 meters of elevation gain if the climb feels too tough. You can take the cable car down to Rivera, where a bus will already be waiting for you. It will take you back to Miglieglia.
Offer at Swiss Activities:
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 |
Paragliders keep returning to the summit of Monte Lema. The elevation difference is about 850 meters. You can take your paraglider on the funicular as well. You just need a ticket for "Paragliding." This also applies to hang gliders.
From the summit and during your flight, you'll not only see the beautiful lakes of Ticino, but you can also admire the snow-covered Bernese Alps and even the massive glaciers of Valais.
From Monte Lema, you can undertake cross-country flights of up to 200 km. You can fly all the way to the Engadin from here. Typically, however, the flight ends in Miglieglia near the valley station of the cable car, or over the vast meadows of Monteggio or Sessa.
Offer from Swiss Activities:
Monte Lema is located in Ticino near the Italian border. You can get to the mountain by cable car from the valley station Miglieglia.
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
You can reach us via the A2 highway and take the exit Lugano Nord. From there, head towards Ponte Tresa, and from Magliaso/Caslano, continue towards Miglieglia.
Monte Lema is one of the most impressive peaks in Ticino. This natural oasis not only features expansive meadows but also has a whole network of hiking trails. Whether you prefer ridge paths or gentle slopes, you’ll experience the mountain scenery up close everywhere. Forests of chestnuts, oaks, and beeches alternate with herb meadows where Highland cattle or horses graze.
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