Monte Lema

Monte Lema is a 1,624 m peak above the village of Lema in Switzerland's Ticino canton, right on the Italian border. Part of the Lugano Prealps in the Malcantone region, it rises between Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. It is among the easiest panoramic summits to reach in southern Switzerland, because a cable car carries you up from the village of Miglieglia.

How do you get up Monte Lema?

The valley station is in Miglieglia. Cabins leave every half hour, cover roughly 2.5 km and 849 m of elevation, and the ride lasts about ten minutes. The cable car is wheelchair accessible. From Lugano, take a train to Lamone-Cadempino and then a bus to Miglieglia; a PostAuto bus service also runs there. The season lasts roughly April to October, so check timetables and maintenance closures before you go.

What can you see from the top?

On a clear day, looking west past Lake Maggiore, you can pick out the Bernese and Pennine Alps, including Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn. To the south the view crosses Lake Lugano toward Milan and the Apennines. Closer in lie the wooded hills of Malcantone, with chestnut forests and small villages, and the city of Lugano below.

The summit has a restaurant with a large panoramic terrace serving local dishes. An observatory with a weather and radar station also stands here, measuring rainfall on the southern side of the Alps.

Which hikes start at Monte Lema?

• Miglieglia to the summit on foot: about 2.5 hours uphill.
• Lema–Tamaro traverse: a five-hour walk along the border ridge to Alpe Foppa, on the way to Monte Tamaro.
• Lema–Indemini: a ridge route that Ticino's tourist board counts among the region's finest hikes.
• Descent to Rivera: a train there takes you back to Lugano.
• Tra Cielo e Terra: an easier themed trail suited to families.

When should you go?

Pick a clear day, ideally in the morning, when the air is sharp and the distant Alpine peaks stand out. It can be hot in the valley in summer but noticeably cooler at the top, so bring an extra layer.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the cable car ride to Monte Lema? About ten minutes from Miglieglia, climbing 849 m.

Can you walk up Monte Lema? Yes. The hike from Miglieglia takes around two and a half hours.

Is there food at the summit? Yes, a restaurant with a panoramic terrace and local cuisine.

Is Monte Lema the same as Monte Tamaro? No. They are neighbouring peaks joined by the border ridge, with a five-hour traverse between them.

Is Monte Lema in Switzerland or Italy? The summit sits on the border; the cable car starts on the Swiss side, in Ticino.