Monte Generoso

Welcome to Monte Generoso!

The newly built building "Fiore di pietra" (stone flower) by the famous architect Mario Botta is enthroned on the rocky mountain plateau. The breathtaking 360° panorama is reflected in its windows. The panoramic view sweeps across the lake district, the city of Lugano, from the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau and finally to the Bernina group.

Nostalgic ride to the summit

To be able to enjoy the breathtaking view at all, a cogwheel railway has been running to the high summit of Monte Generoso for 125 years. The route is around 9 kilometres long and leads through the enchanting mountain landscapes of the nature reserve. In addition to electric trains, nostalgic means of transport also run on the cogwheel railway line. These include the oldest steam railway operated in Switzerland, dating back to 1890, and the railway from the 1950s. A ride on these trains brings the Belle Époque back to life.

Activities on and around the mountain

There is plenty to experience on Monte Generoso:

• Hiking enthusiasts can discover the mountain on over 51 kilometres of hiking trails. The hiking trails also include several nature trails and the Nevere Trail. On the Nevere Trail, hikers can discover restored ice pits. These were once used to cool milk before it was processed into butter.
• 360° panoramic view from the summit of Monte Generoso: From the top of the 1704 metre-high Monte Generoso, you can enjoy the most beautiful panoramic view in the canton of Ticino and one of the most fascinating in the whole of Switzerland. It stretches from the Apennines to the Alps and allows you to marvel at northern Italy, its lake district and the Alpine chain from a height. Overview panels have been installed on the "Belvedere", the highest point of the mountain, which allow the various valleys, lakes, villages and mountain peaks to be recognised in the viewer's field of vision. The 360° panoramic view is not only enchanting during the day, but also at night. The intense lighting, especially in the northern Italian villages, is almost magical. The view of the Upper Italian lake district and the Alpine chain is just as magical, especially on a full moon night. The sunrises and sunsets are also an atmospheric spectacle, when the sun transforms the sky into a sea of colour. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the top of the mountain from the inn on the Kulm - a walk rich in nature and tranquillity.
• Bellavista-Vetta Monte Generoso hiking trail: The hiking trail starts at the Bellavista intermediate station at 1,200 m, which can be easily reached by the Monte Generoso cogwheel railway from Capolago or by car (there are plenty of parking spaces at the Posteggio Bellavista car park, which is about a 10-minute walk from the intermediate station).
• The brave can marvel at the landscape around Monte Generoso from the air on a paragliding flight. The paragliding flights start at Monte Generoso and fly in various directions over lakes, landscapes and small towns.

Information

How to get there: By train or car from Lugano to Capolago, take the Monte Generoso railway to the Monte Generoso summit.
Catering: There are 2 restaurants on the summit. The gourmet à la carte restaurant Fiore di pietra has a 360° panorama. The chef's recipes favour local ingredients and the wine selection is entirely from Ticino. It is possible to book online. The self-service restaurant is located on the third floor. There you can enjoy freshly prepared dishes and buffets before your very eyes. You can take your meal in one of the 120 seats and then go straight out onto the terrace to enjoy the view. For breakfast and coffee breaks, there is the cafeteria.
Fiore di pietra: 2 panoramic terraces, an exhibition room with works by local artists, a conference room for business meetings.
Buffet Bellavista: Immerse yourself in the unique and intimate atmosphere of the Buffet Bellavista, located at the middle station of the same name at an altitude of 1223 metres: a historic jewel of Monte Generoso that has existed since the opening of the cable car in 1890! With 40 seats, this cosy grotto offers the perfect escape into nature. Delight your palate with authentic dishes of the Ticino tradition, discover the zero-kilometre philosophy to celebrate the true regional flavours.
Families: The "Bear Cave" is located around 30 minutes from the "Fiore di pietra" on the Italian side of the mountain. More than 800 cave bears lived in this cave around 60,000 years ago. The cave is 200 metres long in total, 70 metres of which are accessible to visitors. Good footwear, hiking clothing and headgear are required to follow the tracks of the cave bears.
Special: Discounted ascent with Swiss Travel Pass/GA. Buy your mountain railway ticket on site.