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Enjoy a truly unique view of Switzerland

August 17, 2021, 16 Comments

Look down and you see Lago Maggiore, the lowest point of Switzerland at 193m. Look right and there’s the country’s highest point, Dufourspitze at 4634m. There aren’t many places where such a feat is possible but you can do it on the summit of Cardada Cimetta, high above Locarno.

The trip up to Cardada starts behind the iconic church of Madonna del Sasso above Locarno. Across the road is the modern cable-car station designed by local star architect Mario Botta, who was also responsible for the elegant teardrop shape of the cabins themselves. It’s almost enough to distract you from the views. Almost.

Five minutes later, you’re at the top station (another Botta creation) and the first panoramic viewpoint, 1340m up in the air. This is the reason a cable car was first built here in 1952, this grandstand view of Locarno and Lago Maggiore all the way down to Italy. But don’t let it take your breath away as you’ll need that for the next ride, which is open air.

The chair lift that carries you up to Cimetta, at 1670m, is great for photos (no glass in the way) and all that fresh mountain air. At the top is that unique view of the highest and lowest points, as the picture below shows: Lago Maggiore to the left, Dufourspitze to the right. They’re actually only about 70km apart as the crow flies. Well worth the trip up here.

This article is one of a series about Ticino. You can read about Lugano & Locarno here.

16 Comments on "Enjoy a truly unique view of Switzerland"

  1. Andrea Raschle Tuesday August 17th, 2021 at 03:44 PM · Reply

    1670 m

  2. Anne-Marie Sharma Tuesday August 17th, 2021 at 04:15 PM · Reply

    1671m šŸ‡ØšŸ‡­šŸ¤žšŸ»šŸš”

  3. Martin Tuesday August 17th, 2021 at 07:58 PM · Reply

    1670m

    • Kees Takken Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 06:43 PM · Reply

      Cimetta is 1670 meter. With viewing platform 1671 meter.

  4. Mena SAUVAGNAT Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 06:56 AM · Reply

    Cimetta stands at 1670 metres!

  5. Ma. Tiffany Orapa Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 12:32 PM · Reply

    Dufourspitze at 4634m.

  6. Ma. Tiffany Orapa Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 12:34 PM · Reply

    Cimetta stands at 1670 metres

  7. Carolina Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 04:36 PM · Reply

    Cimetta stands at 1671 m.

  8. David Forster Wednesday August 18th, 2021 at 04:53 PM · Reply

    1670

  9. Eliott Odermatt Thursday August 19th, 2021 at 07:14 AM · Reply

    According to Swiss national maps, Cimetta stands at 1672 m above sea level! According to your article, it’s 1670 m šŸ˜‰

    • Diccon Bewes Thursday August 19th, 2021 at 07:49 AM · Reply

      I know but I went with the height given by the Cardada Cimetta as they run the cable car to the top. Their webiste and sign at the top says 1670m.

  10. Alessandro Friday August 20th, 2021 at 02:34 AM · Reply

    Cimetta is located at 1670m!

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