Orselina to Cardada Cable Car

Just above Locarno, the Cardada cable car whisks you from the hillside village of Orselina up into the mountains in only a few minutes. It’s the quickest way to swap palm trees and piazzas for alpine views and cooler mountain air.

• The ride: A smooth 5-minute trip that feels more like an elevator into the sky than a gondola. You’ll rise above Lake Maggiore with sweeping views of Locarno and the valleys behind it.

• At the top (Cardada, 1,340 m): There’s a playground, kids Treasure Hunt Trail, and a scenic viewing platform. From here, you can take the chairlift up to Cimetta (1,671 m) for 360° views—lake on one side, high Alps on the other.

• Details:

  • Start: Orselina (reachable by funicular from Locarno train station or by car—parking available).

  • Duration: ~5 minutes to Cardada.

  • Cost: You can buy a combo ticket that includes the cable car to Cardada and the chairlift to Cimetta for CHF 39 return per adult to Cardada (kids under 6 free; kids 6–15 free with Junior Card). 50% Discount with Swiss Travel Pass , Swiss Half Fare Card, Ticino Ticket, and SBB.

👉 It’s an easy half-day adventure from Locarno: funicular → cable car → chairlift, with big views and kid-friendly activities at every step.