Hiking Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro – in Ticino Switzerland (Tessin)

Lema to Tamaro is a one-way hike, well obviously, you can do it RT, but hiking for 10+ hours in a single day is a little much. Not to mention the funiculars close, so you would have to hike down the mountain.

The Monte Lema to Monte Tamaro trail is almost 13 km (12.6 km), with lots of gradual ups and downs along the ridge-line. The hike is an all day hike, it takes about 5 hours to hike the ridge, not including the time to go up and down the funiculars. **

The views are spectacular, on one side you have Lake Lugano (on a clear day you can see Milano) and on the other side you have Lake Maggiore with distance views of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, absolutely stunning.

During the summer months, there is a shuttle bus which will take you to the start of the hike (Lema). The Shuttle was well organized and left from Monte Tamaro dropping off at Monte Lema, so when we finished the hike our car was in the Tamaro parking lot. You can also hike in the reverse Tamaro to Lema.

*Monte Tamaro Opening Times: High Season 8:30 – 18:00 Off Season: 8:30 – 17:00 Monte Lema Opening: High Season 8:15 – 17:45 Off Season: 8:45 – 17:15 Price including the shuttle bus transfer Adults 55 chf Children 30 chf Without the bus (funiculars included) Adults 40 chf Children 20 chf The bus is offered both ways if you leave before 11.30

Along the trail there are a few small huts where you can buy a drink (honesty system, gotta love the Swiss for that). Unfortunately there is no option to fill up your water bottles, so make sure you carry plenty of water for the 5+ hour hike. And as far as a bathroom goes, you’ll have to be one with nature

The last part of the hike up to Capanna Tamaro is the steepest part of the hike. There are two paths you can choose, one which mainly goes up and one which has more switch-backs, both will lead you to the Capanna.

The views are spectacular all along the way.