Lago del Zött

Lago del Zött is a high-alpine reservoir above San Carlo in the Val Bavona (municipality of Cevio, canton of Ticino, Switzerland). At roughly 1,940 m above sea level, it sits a short walk from the top station of the San Carlo cable car, with the Basòdino massif and its glacier rising behind it. It suits anyone who wants real Swiss mountain scenery without a long climb.

What is the lake?

The lake exists because of a 36 m arch dam finished in 1967. It covers about 0.13 km² and stores around 1.65 million m³ of water. It belongs to the hydroelectric network of the Maggia valley and is linked to the neighbouring Robièi reservoir. Meltwater from the Basòdino glacier feeds the area, which explains the cool, crisp feel up here.

How do you get to Lago del Zött?

Everything starts in San Carlo, the last sizeable hamlet in the Val Bavona. You can drive or take the PostBus from Bignasco, and there is parking at the cable car's valley station. The San Carlo – Robièi cable car climbs about 900 m and runs in summer, roughly from mid-June to early October. From the top station, the dam is around 15 minutes on foot.

What will you see?

• The curved dam and the lake surface, framed by rock and alpine pasture.
• The Basòdino glacier, one of the best-known in Ticino.
• Small lakes around Robièi that are easy to string into a short loop.
• The Capanna Basòdino, a Swiss Alpine Club hut by the Robièi lakes, reachable without a long approach.

Which trails start here?

The shortest option is the stroll from the cable car to the dam. A longer circuit from Robièi runs via Lago dei Matörgn and the Bocchetta di Val Maggia to Lago del Zött and back. It covers about 12 km with roughly 950 m of ascent and takes around 5 hours. It is graded T4 (demanding): the final descent zigzags steeply along the right side of the dam and is not for anyone uneasy with heights. An easier loop via Lago dei Cavagnöö is about 6.6 km with around 380 m of climbing. From the hut, a route over Randinascia to Robièi takes about 2.5 hours. The Alta Via Cristallina stage (trail 59.02) also passes through the area.

When should you visit?

The season runs from June to October, when the cable car operates and trails are clear of snow. July, August and September usually bring the most settled weather. Mornings tend to give clearer views of Basòdino. Pack an extra layer, since near 2,000 m it is much cooler than in San Carlo.

FAQ

Can you walk to the lake from San Carlo? Yes, but it is a long ascent. Most visitors take the cable car to Robièi and skip about 900 m of climbing.

How long is the walk from the cable car to the dam? About 15 minutes. Longer loops take 2.5 to 5 hours depending on the route.

Is the trail around the lake difficult? The walk to the dam is easy. The circuit over the Bocchetta di Val Maggia is graded T4 and calls for sure footing and good fitness.

Is there parking? Yes, at the cable car station in San Carlo.

When does the cable car run? In summer, roughly mid-June to early October. Check the operator's current timetable before you go.