• Sport
  • hike
  • mountainlakes

Lakes in Piora Valley

THE PERFECT MOMENT
  • 31 August - 14.45
  • 18°
  • Energic

Crossing Piora Valley on foot, you'll discover magnificent mountain landscapes: small lakes, high peaks and encounters with nature will all leave indelible memories of your time spent in Leventina.

You see that crag rising above the valley and its lure is too strong. So, you decide to approach that natural vantage point slowly and you are overwhelmed by the spectacular view. Take a look down and you'll be assailed by a whole range of sensations, from fear to ecstasy. You remain speechless and rather tired, but this recompense is worth all the effort.

The day started uphill, with the dizzying funicular up to Ritom lake. The ascent, along a route of just 1,369 m, overcomes an altitude difference of 786 m, with an 87.8% slope. This is, in itself, a unique experience!

You wanted to see the valley's three lakes that you had heard so much about and now you can. “It's beautiful and peaceful, like all alpine lakes, but Cadagno lake doesn't seem to be anything special”, you thought. And yet this lake is unique in Europe! When they first told you that, you were sceptical, as the term 'crenogenic meromixis' didn't mean anything for you. But now you know there are really two overlapping lakes (one with salty and acid water and the other with clear and sweet water) that never mix. It is this characteristic that draws about 2,000 researchers from all over the world every year!

How steep the Ritom funicular is!

How steep the Ritom funicular is!

Three alpine pearls

Three alpine pearls

Beautiful Alpine gentians

Beautiful Alpine gentians

Lake Tom

Lake Tom

Cows on the way to the alp, lake Ritom

Cows on the way to the alp, lake Ritom

The Cadagno Hut, Piora valley

The Cadagno Hut, Piora valley

Here's the Piora cheese

Here's the Piora cheese

It's incredible what you can find in an alpine valley: panoramas, walks, discoveries and curiosities are the essential features of an exciting adventure among mountains dotted with romantic little lakes.

The valley fascinates you, but it also puts you to the test. And now, one last experience: spending a night in a hut. But before you do that, nobody can deny you the satisfaction of enjoying a good dinner of typical products, including Piora, Ticino's best-known cheese. Alpe Piora is the largest mountain pasture area in the Canton of Ticino and it produces about 3000 cheeses a year: tasting a slice is a privilege.

Martina Zanetta, - a student who looks into the distance
Martina Zanetta,a student who looks into the distance
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A GOOD DAY
9.30

How steep this funicular is! It seems to be never-ending

10.32

Take the Ritom Lake educational trail

15.35

Discovering the Ritom, Tom and Cadagno ponds

19.15

But now everyone take their seat for a good meal!

IN THE SURROUNDINGS

USEFUL INFO

The Ritom SA funicular railway is open seasonally from May to October.


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