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.

Attractions on Monte Lema

Monte Lema has one main draw: stunning views. Nestled between Lake Lugano, deep valleys, and Lake Maggiore, it offers a fantastic panoramic view.

Restaurant Vetta Lema da Güsti

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:

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

Children's Playground and “Swing the World” on Monte Lema

The playground was built just a short distance from the restaurant, using natural wood. It features:

• Panorama slide
• Zip line
• Swing
• And plenty of space for safe play.

“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.

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 Bahn

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.

• Valley Station: Miglieglia (717 m above sea level)
• Mountain Station: Monte Lema (1566 m above sea level)

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:

• Ticket for the Monte Lema Cable Car

Activities at Monte Lema

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.

Mountain Biking on Monte Lema

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:

• Mountain Biking Ticket at Monte Lema

Monte Lema Hikes

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:

• Monte Lema cable car station start 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 cable car station (1530 m a.s.l.)

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:

• 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 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:

• Ticket for 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

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.