Lake Cadagno is a unique region nestled within the Piora Valley of the Swiss Alps, characterized by its high-altitude plateau, diverse natural features, and extensive network of trails. This area is renowned for its distinctive meromictic lake, Lake Cadagno, which presents a rare scientific phenomenon with its unmixed water layers. The surrounding alpine landscape, dotted with numerous mountain lakes like Lago Ritom and Lago di Tom, provides an ideal setting for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, mountain…
92
Routes
4.6
(287)
Average rating
13141
People visited

4.9
(82)
7,110
riders
99.1km
06:46
3,050m
3,050m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(7)
515
riders
156km
08:46
3,440m
3,440m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.9
(9)
469
riders
26.1km
02:29
940m
940m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(20)
808
riders
76.1km
05:11
2,580m
2,580m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(11)
62
hikers
16.1km
06:26
900m
910m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(7)
53
hikers
20.9km
06:46
770m
770m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.0
(1)
8
hikers
3.20km
01:00
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
9
hikers
10.7km
03:32
350m
350m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.9
(29)
1,699
riders
47.3km
03:58
1,580m
1,580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
99
riders
32.9km
03:08
1,050m
1,050m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
65
riders
32.1km
03:15
1,200m
1,200m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
62
riders
50.8km
03:24
760m
760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(9)
65
riders
32.2km
03:34
1,220m
1,220m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

6
riders
24.0km
02:58
1,060m
1,060m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.8
(10)
66
riders
50.8km
05:46
1,950m
1,950m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.8
(5)
66
riders
28.4km
02:59
1,090m
1,090m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4
runners
11.9km
01:58
420m
420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

3
runners
5.76km
01:12
470m
460m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

3
runners
10.8km
01:31
350m
350m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

2
runners
18.3km
03:11
1,130m
1,130m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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7
hikers
8.28km
03:29
480m
490m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
20.2km
06:12
660m
660m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
3
hikers
7.29km
02:35
430m
430m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Lake Cadagno is a unique meromictic lake located in the Piora Valley of the Swiss Alps. Its water layers do not mix, creating distinct chemical environments, including a middle layer with pink sulfur bacteria. This makes it a significant site for scientific study.
The Lake Cadagno region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, and Mountaineering. The area features an extensive network of trails for various skill levels.
Yes, the Piora Valley offers an extensive network of signposted hiking trails. A popular option is the "Three Lakes Route," which connects Lago Ritom, Lago di Tom, and Lake Cadagno, covering approximately 4 miles (6.5 km). For more options, see Hiking around Lake Cadagno.
Road cyclists can find routes around the lakes and through the Piora Valley. The region provides varied terrain suitable for road cycling. Specific routes can be explored in the guide Road Cycling Routes around Lake Cadagno.
The Lake Cadagno region is suitable for mountain biking, with routes around the lakes and ascents to areas like Lago di Tom. The Capanna Cadagno mountain hut is located on well-known mountain bike routes, including those over Passo del Sole. More trails are available in MTB Trails around Lake Cadagno.
The region offers family-friendly hiking options, including easier walks around the lakes. The "Three Lakes Route" is a recommended day hike. For specific family-oriented routes, consult Family-friendly hikes around Lake Cadagno.
Yes, the Lake Cadagno region offers dog-friendly hiking options. There are trails suitable for exploring with dogs. For specific routes, refer to the guide Dog-friendly hikes around Lake Cadagno.
The Piora Valley, at an altitude of 1800-2200 meters, features more than 20 mountain lakes, including Lake Cadagno, Lago Ritom, and Lago di Tom. The Ritom funicular railway, one of the steepest mountain railways globally, provides access to the valley. The Alpine Biology Center also offers insights into the region's unique ecosystem.
The Piora Valley can be accessed via the Ritom funicular railway, which is known for its steep 88% gradient. This railway provides a scenic journey into the high-altitude plateau where Lake Cadagno is located.
The Capanna Cadagno mountain hut provides accommodation and meals for hikers and cyclists. The region is also known for local delicacies like Piora cheese and Prosciutto crudo Piora, which can be sampled at mountain huts.
Routes in the Lake Cadagno region have an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars on komoot. This rating is based on feedback from more than 48,000 visitors who have shared their experiences.
Komoot offers several guides for the Lake Cadagno region, including Road Cycling Routes around Lake Cadagno, Hiking around Lake Cadagno, and MTB Trails around Lake Cadagno. Other guides cover family-friendly, dog-friendly, and easy hikes, as well as touring cycling, jogging, and mountaineering.
The Bellinzona e Valli Tourism Office serves the broader region, including the Piora Valley where Lake Cadagno is located. Their official tourism website is www.bellinzonaevalli.ch.

