Lago Tremorgio

Lago Tremorgio is an alpine lake above the village of Rodi, in the Valle Leventina, within the municipality of Prato Leventina in the Swiss canton of Ticino. It sits at 1,830 m above sea level and covers roughly 39 hectares. A cable car from Rodi-Fiesso lifts you to the shore in minutes, which makes it one of the easiest high-mountain lakes to reach in southern Switzerland.

How do you get to Lago Tremorgio?

The Teleferica del Tremorgio starts in Rodi at about 940 m. The ride up takes around 5 minutes in one of two cabins, each carrying eight passengers. The lift runs seasonally, roughly from June to mid-October, from early morning to evening and only in suitable weather. Schedules shift after maintenance work, so check the current timetable with Ticino Turismo before you travel.

Rodi-Fiesso is on the Gotthard main road and rail corridor, so it is easy to reach by car or train from both Ticino and central Switzerland.

What is there to see at the lake?

A gentle path circles the water. It is almost flat and works well for families with children. The Capanna Tremorgio mountain hut stands a few minutes from the top station. It belongs to Azienda Elettrica Ticinese, opened in 1922 and offers 34 beds. The lake has also supplied hydropower for nearly a century.

Views take in the ridges around the lake and the slopes of the Leventina valley. Mornings are quiet and still, a good moment for photos.

Which hikes start here?

• The lake loop is the shortest option, an hour or less with almost no climbing.
• Capanna Leit (about 2,260 m) is a goal for fit walkers, around 1.5 to 2 hours from Tremorgio. The SAT Mendrisio section runs it. It was built in 1981 to replace an older refuge and has 64 places, with a warden present from June to October. The name Leit comes from the Leventina dialect and relates to the word for small lakes.
• The Alpe Campolungo and Passo Vanit loop is about 8.5 km with roughly 550 m of ascent, graded T2, returning past Capanna Tremorgio.
• Campo Tencia, Garzonera, Fusio or the descent to Dalpe follow marked mountain trails (white-red-white) and suit well-trained hikers. Campo Tencia takes about 3 hours.

When should you go?

Come while the cable car runs, between June and October. July and August bring the most settled weather and open huts, while early autumn offers clear air and fewer visitors. Outside the season the climb from the valley is long and demanding.

Practical tips

Pack a warm layer, since 1,830 m is noticeably cooler than the valley floor, and sturdy shoes for anything beyond the lake loop. The hut serves meals, but carry your own water on longer walks. Check the time of the last cabin down before you set a turnaround time.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk up to Lago Tremorgio? Yes, but it is a long climb of more than 900 m from Rodi. Most visitors ride the cable car and save their energy for trails from the lake.

How long is the cable car ride? About 5 minutes from Rodi to 1,830 m.

Is the walk around the lake difficult? No. The path is easy and nearly flat, so children manage it.

Can you stay overnight? Yes. Capanna Tremorgio sits by the lake, and Capanna Leit lies higher up at around 2,260 m.