Lago Ritom and Cadagno: the Piora plateau and Europe's steepest funicular

The Ritom funicular climbs at a gradient of 87.8 per cent: the steepest in Europe, and in twelve minutes it carries you from Piotta up to the Piora plateau, where the pastures make Ticino's most famous cheese and two lakes sit that could not be less alike.

The route

From the top station we walk round Lago Ritom and on to Lago di Cadagno, the one scientists come from all over the world to study: it has two layers of water that never mix, fresh above and salty and oxygen-free below.

A short climb to Alpe Cadagno, where you buy the cheese, and back to the funicular.

Who it's for

• anyone who wants two thousand metres with little effort and plenty of water
• anyone bringing teenagers: the funicular alone is worth the trip
• anyone who eats well: here you buy the cheese at the dairy

Good to know

The funicular (about CHF 22 return) is not included and runs from late May to mid-October. Outside the season you walk up, but that is another 800 m of climbing and a different day out. The wind at Piora never stops: always pack a shell.

You are crossing into Switzerland

A valid ID in your pocket, not in your rucksack: Switzerland is not in the European Union and border checks do happen.

Mountain rescue is charged for: in Switzerland the helicopter is billed to the person who calls it. Guiddy accident insurance is included, but a Rega card (about €40 a year) or a policy covering rescue costs in Switzerland is what we suggest to everyone.

Swiss francs: huts and cable cars almost always take cards, but a few valley huts are still cash only. The European health card is valid in Switzerland for emergency care.

If your dog comes along: Switzerland requires a microchip, an EU pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination, given at least 21 days beforehand. Without them the dog is turned back at the border.

Getting there

A9 to Bellinzona, then up the Leventina to Ambrì-Piotta: two hours from the ring road. By train to Airolo, then bus to the funicular.

By car you need the Swiss motorway vignette (CHF 40, valid for the calendar year) if you use the motorway: you buy it at the border, at petrol stations near the crossing, or online.