Lago Ritom

The Ritom funicular climbs from Piotta to the dam on a gradient reaching 87.8 per cent, which puts it among the steepest funiculars in the world - the cars are built as stepped boxes and the ride is short, loud and startling. It was built in the late 1910s to build and service the hydro scheme, and passenger traffic came later; the first dam dates from 1918 and was raised by 23 metres in 1950. At the top the Lago Ritom, about 1.5 square kilometres at 1,850 metres, fills the mouth of the Piora valley, a broad limestone-floored basin unusual in the granite Gotthard massif, and that geology gives it a flora far richer than the surrounding rock supports - the valley is a botanical site of national importance. The Lago di Cadagno above holds a rare meromictic layering, its deep water permanently separated from the surface.

Highlights

• An 87.8 per cent funicular - among the steepest anywhere, built for the hydro scheme.
• A limestone valley in granite country - the geological oddity of Piora.
• Rich alpine flora - a botanical site of national importance.
• Lago di Cadagno - permanently layered water, studied by scientists.

When to go

Late June to October. Half a day.

Practical notes

The funicular runs only in season and can be suspended for maintenance. Road access to the lake is restricted. There is limited shelter at the top and weather changes fast. Facilities are one or two mountain restaurants.

Nearby

Airolo and the Gotthard are west; the Lukmanier road runs east.

Key facts