Trip Duration: half or full day ⛰️ Difficulty Level: Easy 🚸 Trip Date: July 2026
Before we’d even had a chance to unfold the map, our daughter had kicked off her shoes and quietly decided where our adventure would begin.
That’s how our day at Cardada and Cimetta unfolded. Not according to a carefully planned itinerary, but by following the curiosity of three young explorers. Between funiculars, cable cars, barefoot trails, treasure hunts and breathtaking views over Lake Maggiore, we discovered a mountain where children naturally lead the way.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly day trip from Locarno that combines mountain scenery with plenty of opportunities to play, explore and simply slow down, Cardada and Cimetta might become one of your family’s favourite adventures too.
Quick Overview
- Location: Cardada & Cimetta, above Locarno, Ticino
- Getting there: Funicular from Locarno to Orselina, followed by the cable car to Cardada and chairlift to Cimetta
- Pushchair: Cardada is relatively easy to explore with a pushchair, although a baby carrier is useful for some paths and for the journey to Cimetta
- Facilities: Toilets and drinking fountains are available around the stations and along the paths
Our Adventure
The adventure began before we even reached the mountains.
On the funicular from Locarno to Orselina, we were lucky enough to find a spot near the rear window beside the control panel. For a few glorious minutes, the children became the funicular’s honorary drivers, carefully watching every movement and imagining themselves in charge of the journey.
After arriving in Orselina, we took a short walk to Madonna del Sasso. The impressive sanctuary sits high above Locarno, with footpaths winding around its grounds and offering beautiful views over the town below.
Travelling with toddlers means moving at a different pace, so we stopped often to admire the surroundings, rest little legs and enjoy the simple comfort of the drinking fountains and facilities that are so common throughout Switzerland.
The Ride to Cardada
After climbing back up towards the cable car station, we purchased our tickets to Cardada and Cimetta. The whole experience was remarkably efficient. The multilingual staff were friendly and courteous, and along with our tickets the children were handed a treasure hunt map and pencil.
At the time, it seemed like a nice little extra activity.
We had no idea it would become one of the highlights of our day.
Huge signs directed us towards the cable car entrance, where we let the children scan our tickets at the turnstile. The cabin was huge, but it was also very busy.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of other passengers, I found myself squeezed somewhere in the middle, holding onto the children while my view consisted mostly of backpacks and armpits.
As the cable car climbed higher above the valley, the atmosphere inside became unexpectedly entertaining. Every time the cabin passed over one of the support towers, it gave a little wobble that triggered a chorus of gasps, laughter and dramatic reactions from the passengers.
It was comical, really.
The ride lasted less than ten minutes, but by the time the doors opened at around 1,350 metres above sea level, everyone seemed relieved to have solid ground beneath their feet again.
Following the Children’s Lead
Stepping out at Cardada felt a little overwhelming—in the best possible way. Playgrounds, walking paths, picnic areas and mountain views seemed to stretch out in every direction.
While we were still deciding where to begin, our daughter had already made the decision for us.
Without hesitation, she kicked off her shoes and socks and headed straight for the barefoot trail.
When one of our children finds a “flow” to follow, we’ve learned not to fight it. Parents of children on the spectrum may recognise that feeling. On some days, routine and predictability are everything. On others, a new adventure captures their imagination completely.
So we followed.
Soon the whole family was balancing across stones, bark, wooden planks and even golf balls embedded into the trail. The children moved from one challenge to the next while we laughed our way behind them.
Later, beneath the shade of the tall trees, we stopped for a picnic. While the younger children explored nearby, our eldest carefully unfolded the treasure hunt map that had been handed to us at the ticket office.
At first, the challenge seemed impossible.
The map showed footprints, clues and riddles, but despite visiting several attractions around the station, we couldn’t figure out what exactly we were supposed to be searching for.
After a while, I could see disappointment beginning to creep onto our eldest’s face. We’d promised a treasure hunt, yet none of us seemed capable of understanding it.
For a moment, we nearly gave up.
Thankfully, we didn’t.
Later in the afternoon, one of the treasure markers appeared so clearly that it was impossible to miss. Suddenly everything made sense. The tiny squirrel printed on the map was the key, marking the approximate locations of each clue.
The transformation was immediate.
Our eldest’s disappointment vanished, replaced by determination and excitement. From that moment on, he needed very little help. One by one, the clues began to reveal themselves, and the treasure hunt became the thread that guided the rest of our day.
More Than Just a Viewpoint
As we made our way towards the chairlift station, it became clear that Cardada isn’t a place to rush through.
Every few minutes the children discovered something new: carved wooden totem poles, a giant chess board, wooden ball tracks, playgrounds hidden among the trees, picnic spots and mountain viewpoints.
Just when we thought we were ready to move on, another attraction would appear.
After several rounds at the wooden ball track, plenty of treasure hunting and a quick picnic lunch, we were finally ready to continue towards Cimetta.
Up to Cimetta
Although Cardada had already impressed us, everyone was curious about what waited at the very top.
One thing we hadn’t expected was the chairlift itself.
Rather than simply travelling straight uphill, the chairlift glides sideways across the mountainside, revealing completely different perspectives of the landscape as it travels.
The chairlift can accommodate two adults or one adult with two children. Because our children are still young and not always known for sitting perfectly still, we chose to ride one adult per chair with the children rather than squeezing together.
It wasn’t the most convenient arrangement for our group, but it allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the experience safely.
And what an experience it was.
Even before reaching the summit, the views were stunning.
At the top, they became unforgettable.
As we stepped onto the circular concrete viewing platform, conversation stopped for a moment. Lake Maggiore shimmered below us, framed by layers of mountains fading into the distance. The clear summer weather allowed us to see for miles.
The children, of course, had different priorities.
The fence surrounding the platform is decorated with cowbells, and before long they were happily making music while running in circles around the viewpoint.
Meanwhile, my heart rate increased every time they ventured close to the edge.
Like many parents, I immediately imagined every possible worst-case scenario. Thankfully, once I looked more closely, the platform felt far less intimidating than it had at first glance.
Cimetta also seemed to be a paradise for paragliders. Throughout the day we spotted at least five, floating effortlessly above the mountains.
Watching them soar through the sky made me slightly jealous.
One day I’d love to experience it myself, though perhaps when the children are a little older.
Before heading back down, we were lucky enough to find the famous giant swing completely empty—a rare sight. We quickly took advantage of the opportunity for a family photo before continuing our descent.
One Last Adventure
Back at Cardada, we still had three treasure hunt locations left to find.
Those final clues led us to the opposite side of the station, where we discovered even more attractions: another playground, a giant blue bench, large seesaw swings and a viewing platform overlooking the valley.
We nearly missed the giant hamster wheels hidden below the main path. By this point exhaustion was beginning to influence our navigation decisions, so we took a rather direct route through the forest to reach them.
I’m not sure it was the smartest way down, but when you’re tired and determined, it will do. Judging by the number of families emerging from the trees around us, we weren’t the only ones.
Eventually, the final clue was found. Treasure hunt completed. Mission accomplished.
As we enjoyed a final play stop before leaving, our youngest drifted off to sleep in the carrier while the older two used every remaining ounce of energy climbing monkey bars and tackling the barefoot trail one last time.
The cable car ride down felt noticeably shorter than the ride up. I know that’s impossible, but somehow mountain descents always seem to pass more quickly.
This time I had learned from my earlier mistake and secured a place beside one of the large windows, allowing me to properly enjoy the views over Lake Maggiore as the cable car descended towards Orselina.
From there, we took the funicular back to Locarno and returned to our car.
By the end of the day, one child was asleep, two were happily exhausted, and all three had their own favourite part of the adventure.
Why Each Child Loved Cardada & Cimetta
One of the things I love about this kind of family outing is that our children rarely enjoy the same things.
Cardada and Cimetta worked particularly well for us because there was something for each of them.
Why our youngest loved it…
- The freedom to explore at their own pace.
- The playgrounds and climbing opportunities.
- The water fountains and little discoveries along the paths.
- Eventually, simply falling asleep in the carrier after a full day of exploring.
Why our daughter loved it…
- The barefoot trail.
- Taking off her shoes and immediately setting off on her own adventure.
- The large seesaw where she swung with mom and dad.
- Having the freedom to follow whatever caught her attention.
Why our eldest loved it…
- The treasure hunt.
- Solving the clues independently once we understood how the map worked.
- Finding all the hidden locations.
- The sense of achievement when the treasure hunt was finally completed.
And perhaps that’s what made the day work so well for us. Nobody had to enjoy exactly the same thing. There was enough variety for everyone to find their own little adventure.
Practical Tips for Parents
Arrive with time to spare
If you’re travelling with young children, don’t underestimate how long you’ll want to spend at Cardada. The attractions are spread around the mountain, and children will inevitably want to stop and explore.
What looks like a quick visit on paper can easily turn into a full day.
Bring a picnic
There are plenty of picnic spots around Cardada, many with benches and nearby drinking fountains. We found the shaded areas particularly useful on a warm summer day.
Having food with us also meant we didn’t have to interrupt the children’s play when hunger inevitably arrived.
Bring water bottles
There are drinking fountains around the mountain, so refillable bottles are useful and save you from carrying an excessive amount of water from the valley.
A baby carrier can be useful
Although many areas around Cardada are accessible with a pushchair, the carrier gave us much more freedom when exploring the forest paths and heading towards the less accessible attractions.
It also came in handy when our youngest finally decided that walking was no longer on the agenda.
Don’t rush the treasure hunt
If your children are excited about the treasure hunt, take a moment to understand the map before setting off.
We initially couldn’t work out what we were looking for and nearly abandoned the whole thing. The little squirrel symbols on the map are the important clue—they indicate the approximate locations of the treasures. Once we understood this, our eldest could do most of the treasure hunt independently.
Be prepared for crowds on the cable car
The cable car can accommodate a large number of people, but that also means it can feel very busy during popular times.
If you have young children who don’t enjoy being squeezed into crowds, arriving earlier may make the journey more comfortable.
Consider the chairlift carefully
The chairlift to Cimetta is open and exposed, so think about your children’s ability to sit still before deciding how you want to ride.
For our family, having one adult with each child was the safest and most relaxing option. Safety comes first, even if it means splitting up your group for the ride.
Pack for changing conditions
Even on a warm summer day in Locarno, the mountain can feel different from the valley. Bring layers, sun protection and comfortable shoes.
And if your children are anything like ours, a spare change of clothes is never a bad idea.
Would We Visit Again?
Absolutely.
Cardada and Cimetta turned out to be exactly the kind of family adventure we enjoy: beautiful scenery for the adults, plenty of opportunities to explore for the children, and enough variety that everyone can find something they enjoy.
Next time, we’d arrive earlier and give ourselves even more time to explore. We’d also understand the treasure hunt from the beginning—which would save one slightly confused mum and one disappointed little explorer!
I’d also love to return in another season. The landscape must look completely different when the colours change, and I’d be curious to experience the mountain when the summer crowds have disappeared.
For families who sometimes hesitate before heading out because taking young children somewhere feels like too much work, I think Cardada is a good reminder that it doesn’t have to be an epic expedition.
Yes, you’ll probably carry too many snacks.
Someone will need a toilet just after you’ve left one.
You’ll bring clothes that nobody wears and forget something you actually needed.
But you’ll also find yourself standing above Lake Maggiore while your children ring cowbells, hunt for treasure, run barefoot and discover a mountain at their own pace.
And that makes all the extra stuff worth carrying.
A Moment to Remember
It wasn’t standing on the highest viewpoint or completing the treasure hunt that stayed with me most.
It was watching our three children become completely absorbed in exploring at their own pace—bare feet on the trail, determined treasure hunting, endless climbing and eventually one very tired little explorer asleep in the carrier.
Somewhere between the cable cars and the cowbells, the mountain stopped feeling like a destination and became a playground for their imagination.
Travelling with young children rarely goes exactly according to plan, and perhaps that’s exactly the point.
Some of our favourite family adventures begin the moment we stop leading the way and start following them instead.
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