Percorso Cardada–Cimetta

Mild temperatures in winter, a breath-taking view year-round: those are just some of the highlights of a snowshoe hike in the Cardada Cimetta. From the local peak of Locarno, one can see both the lowest-lying area of Switzerland, Lake Maggiore, as well as the country’s highest mountain, Monte Rosa.

The five-kilometre snowshoe circuit begins in Colmanicchio, by the Cardada (Seggiovia Cimetta) stop. The first section accounts for most of the approximately 380 metres of ascent: the route climbs steadily across open terrain and through forest, with the nearby Cima della Trosa serving as a landmark.

After just under two kilometres, the highest point is reached at around 1'670 m. Shortly afterwards, the route leads directly to Cimetta, a mountain in the Lepontine Alps above Locarno and Lago Maggiore. At the viewpoint, the panorama opens out across the lower slopes before the route passes Capanna Ristorante Cimetta.

The return route initially descends quickly, alternating between open slopes and forest. Towards the end, the gradient becomes gentler; after just under three hours, the circuit closes back at Colmanicchio, immediately beside the Cardada (Seggiovia Cimetta) stop.