Best attractions and places to see in Leventina include a diverse range of natural and cultural sites. This picturesque valley in Ticino, Switzerland, stretches from the Gotthard Pass to Biasca, featuring towering peaks and the tranquil flow of the Ticino River. The region is known for its Alpine traditions, historical routes, and significant natural features like alpine lakes and mountain passes. Visitors can explore well-preserved villages, historical landmarks, and an extensive network of hiking trails.
Last updated: April 24, 2026
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Cappella di San Gottardo - Chapel at the Gotthard Hospice The St. Gotthard Pass was first used as a pass starting in the 13th century, and the hospice, built at the behest of Milanese Archbishop Galdino (1171), also dates from this period. A chapel was built alongside the hospice on the site of a small church dating back to the 9th/10th century. It was rebuilt towards the end of the 18th century at the instigation of the Capuchins, who managed the hospice until 1799. Text / Source: Agenzia turistica ticinese SA https://www.ticino.ch/de/commons/details/Kapelle-beim-Gotthard-Hospiz/4741.html#:~:text=Der%20Sankt%20Gotthard%20wur de%20as%20Pass%C3%BCtransition%20first%20from,century%20,%20a%20chapel%20was%20built%20side%20of%20hospice%20.
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St. Gotthard Pass The Gotthard Pass divides waterways and connects various cultural and linguistic areas. Its significance as an "Alpine transversal" began at the beginning of the 13th century with the construction of the legendary Devil's Bridge in the Schöllenen Gorge. For many centuries, trade caravans (trading cattle and cheese for grain, wine, rice, and salt), mercenaries, messengers, and even entire armies crossed the pass. Between 1818 and 1836, the canton of Uri, with the help of other cantons, expanded the pass road, thus achieving its predominance among Swiss Alpine passes. The Gotthard Pass has significantly shaped the economy and culture of Central Switzerland for centuries. Until the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882, the Gotthard Pass was also used in winter. Dozens of roadmen and shovel workers were employed for this purpose. In 1922, the post bus replaced the stagecoach, and with the introduction of gasoline duties in 1923, the expansion of the pass roads began, continuing to this day. The old pass road on the south side, the Tremola between the top of the pass and Airolo, is still preserved and passable. This stretch of road recalls more tranquil journeys over the Gotthard that occurred not so long ago. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the Gotthard Pass was "condensed" into a myth, a symbol of Switzerland's independence, unity, and identity. Text / Source: Interest Group for Alpine Passes IAP, PO Box 11, 6491 Realp https://alpen-paesse.ch/de/alpenpaesse/gotthardpass
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The view from the top is worth the effort to reach it.
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very pretty here, very pretty
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very pretty here, very pretty
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We - over-60s with good mountain skills - descended from the Cabanna Cadlimo through the Val Cadlimo to the Lukmanier Pass. The common description that the route is mostly on easy-to-walk paths is a dangerous understatement. It goes over long stretches over boulder fields, which require very good surefootedness and balance. Then down over some smooth rock ledges, which are secured with chains. So it's not all that easy!
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A must for every racing cyclist, even if it's bumpy! But it's better to go uphill! Take the new road downhill...
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Good CAS hut at the westernmost tip of Ticino.
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Leventina is rich in natural beauty, offering stunning alpine lakes and mountain passes. You can visit Lake Ritom, accessible by one of the world's steepest funiculars, or explore Lake Tom, known for its clear blue water and white sandy beach. Other notable natural features include the impressive Piumogna Waterfall in Faido and the picturesque Griessee lake near Capanna Corno Gries.
Yes, Leventina boasts a rich history. The village of Giornico is particularly well-preserved, featuring old stone buildings and the Romanesque San Nicola Church, a significant national monument. You can also visit the Leventina Museum (Museo di Leventina) in Giornico, housed in the historic Casa Stanga, to learn about the valley's heritage. At the Gotthard Pass, the Saint Gotthard National Museum and the Old Hospice of St. Gotthard offer insights into this important historical route.
Leventina is a hiker's paradise with an extensive network of trails. Popular options include the 'Path of the Piora Valley lakes' and the 'Ascent to the Capanna Cadlimo along the Val Piora from Lago Ritom'. For easier walks, consider 'The waterfalls of Val Piumogna – loop from Pian Selva' or 'Between Sobrio and Cavagnago – loop along the Strada Alta'. You can find more hiking routes in the Hiking in Leventina guide.
Leventina offers several options for families. The Ritom-Piora region, with its stunning alpine lakes like Lake Ritom, is great for gentle walks and Nordic walking. The Kids Park Pesciüm in Airolo provides activities specifically for children. Additionally, many mountain huts like Capanna Corno Gries are suitable for children's holidays and offer accessible trails.
Leventina has several mountain huts that serve as excellent destinations or stopovers. Capanna Piansecco, located at the southern foot of Pizzo Rotondo, is a simple hut perfect for hikers and ski tourers. Other options include Cadlimo Hut, Campo Tencia Hut, and Capanna Corno Gries, all offering facilities and accommodation.
Leventina offers numerous scenic viewpoints. The Gotthard Pass itself provides breathtaking vistas, and the Guex Monument at Gotthard Pass is a popular spot. The Ritom-Piora region, accessible by funicular, offers stunning views of alpine lakes. The Val Corno, near Capanna Corno Gries, also provides spectacular scenery, including the Griessee lake.
Yes, Leventina is popular for road cycling, especially around the challenging mountain passes. Routes like 'Gotthard, Furka and Nufenen passes' and 'Gotthard Pass via Tremola from Airolo' are well-known. The First tight hairpin bends of the Tremola are a famous section for cyclists. You can explore more options in the Road Cycling Routes in Leventina guide.
The best time to visit Leventina largely depends on your planned activities. For hiking and exploring natural features like alpine lakes and mountain passes, the summer months (mid-June to mid-October) are ideal when trails are clear and mountain huts are open. Winter (mid-December to mid-April) offers opportunities for ski tours, with some huts like Capanna Piansecco also open during this season.
Many attractions in Leventina are accessible via public transport. For instance, the Ritom Funicular Railway provides easy access to the Ritom region and its alpine lakes. The Gotthard Pass, a central hub, is also well-connected. For specific hikes, it's advisable to check local bus schedules that connect to trailheads, especially for routes starting from villages like Airolo or Faido.
The Val Piora region is renowned for its stunning alpine lakes and is a popular spot for Nordic walking. It's home to Lake Ritom and Lake Tom, both offering unique landscapes. The region is also famous for producing 'formaggio di Piora', a local cheese. The Ritom Funicular provides convenient access to this beautiful high valley.
Yes, the Val Corno, stretching from Capanna Corno Gries to the Passo del Corno, is scenically and geologically very interesting. It features garnet inclusions in the slate near the Griespass, and the picturesque Griessee lake on the edge of the glacier world, offering a distinct geological landscape.


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