If you’re planning a trip to the mountains around Robiei, one of the easiest ways to reach this spectacular high-alpine landscape is by taking the San Carlo – Robiei cable car. The journey takes just around 15 minutes, but it transports you from the bottom of Val Bavona to almost 1,900 metres above sea level, putting you right in the middle of the Basòdino region.
From Robiei, you can explore alpine lakes, hiking trails, mountain huts and views towards the Basòdino Glacier. Here’s everything you need to know about the Robiei cable car, including prices, timetable, parking and how to get there.
Robiei Cable Car
Where is the Robiei cable car?
The cable car starts in San Carlo, the final village at the end of Val Bavona in Ticino. From here, the cable car travels approximately 4 kilometres up to Robiei, which sits at around 1,890 metres above sea level. The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
Free parking for the cable car: 6690 Cevio
The cable car is quite impressive in its own right. The line crosses the mountain landscape using seven large support towers, and the cabin can carry a large number of passengers.
It wasn’t originally built specifically for tourists. The cable car dates back to the 1960s and was constructed to help with the development of the hydroelectric installations around Robiei. It is still used year-round by maintenance workers, while visitors such as us can use it during the summer season.
Robiei Cable Car prices
For the summer season, the current 2026 prices are:
| Ticket | Adult | AVS | Children 6–16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| One way | CHF 19 | CHF 15 | CHF 9 |
| Return | CHF 24 | CHF 18 | CHF 12 |
Dogs are also allowed, with a ticket costing CHF 6 one way or CHF 10 return.
There are also group rates, and a 10-trip pass is available for people who use the cable car regularly.
If you have a Ticino Ticket, there’s another useful discount: holders receive 20% off adult and child fares for one-way and return tickets. Hotel guests staying overnight also receive 50% off a return cable-car ticket, provided you show your accommodation confirmation when purchasing the ticket.
You can also receive discount if you are staying at the hotel Albergo-Ristorante Robiei at the top. You need to show the proof of booking when buying your ticket at the desk on the day.
Robiei Cable Car timetable
The cable car operates for the summer seasons only, so usually from mid June to mid October.
The current timetable is:
- San Carlo to Robiei from 8:00 to 17:00*
- Robiei back to San Carlo from 08:30* to 17:20*
The final 17:00/17:20 services operate only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. So check earlier times for other days of visiting.
Good to know: mountain bikes are not transported on the cable car.
How to get to San Carlo
Getting to San Carlo is part of the adventure.
From Locarno, follow the road towards Vallemaggia. Continue through the valley towards Bignasco, where you’ll take the turn towards Valle Bavona. Continue all the way to San Carlo, the last village in the valley and the location of the cable-car station.
The journey from Locarno is approximately 42 kilometres and around 50 minutes by car, depending on traffic and road conditions.
There is free parking available at the cable-car station in San Carlo, which makes driving here particularly convenient if you’re carrying hiking equipment.
Can you reach Robiei by public transport?
Yes! You don’t need a car to visit Robiei.
From Locarno train station, you can take Bus 315 towards Vallemaggia and travel to Bignasco Posta. From there, change to PostBus 333 towards San Carlo, Bavona, which takes you to the cable-car station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 33 minutes, depending on the connections.
This is actually a great option if you’re planning to spend a full day hiking and don’t want to worry about driving back after a long day in the mountains.
What can you do once you reach Robiei?
This is where the cable car becomes particularly useful. You’re not simply travelling up to a viewpoint – you’re arriving at the beginning of a whole network of mountain adventures.
Robiei sits at the foot of the Basòdino Glacier and is surrounded by alpine lakes and hiking trails. You can take shorter walks around the Robiei reservoirs or set off on longer routes towards places such as Lago Bianco, Lago Sfundau and Lago Nero.
There are also mountain huts in the area, including Capanna Basòdino, while the Albergo-Ristorante Robiei provides food and accommodation at the top.
If you’re not a serious hiker, don’t worry. You can still take the cable car up, enjoy the scenery, walk around the immediate Robiei area and have lunch surrounded by mountains.
Discover our most favourite circular route at Robiei that we did in September: Hiking In Robiei: An 11km Alpine Route Opposite The Basodino Glacier
Don’t miss the Robiei dam
One of the more unusual things you can do at Robiei is explore inside the dam itself.
The Robiei dam has a short educational trail through one of its internal tunnels. The approximately 30-minute route explains how the dam works, how it was constructed and how the hydroelectric system uses the water collected in the mountains.
The trail is free and open to the public from 08:30 to 16:00. You need to collect the key from the reception at the hotel, leaving an identification document. The temperature inside the dam is only around 8°C, so even on a warm summer day, bring a jacket.
You can afterwards hike around Lago di Robiei for an easy circular route.
Discover our related Ticino hiking posts!
Understanding The Swiss Hiking Signposts
Hiking In Ticino: Iconic, Easy Going Routes
Piora Valley Ticino Hiking: The 3 Lakes Of Lago Ritom, Lago Di Tom And Lago Cadagno
Hiking Valle Verzasca: Sonogno to Ponte dei Salti
Scenic Ticino Hiking At 2 Lakes: Lago di Tremorgio and Lago di Leit
Is the Robiei cable car worth taking?
In my opinion, 100%. Especially if you want to experience the high mountains without committing to a long climb from the valley AND without so many people.
The cable car saves you a huge amount of elevation gain and puts you directly into one of Ticino’s most impressive alpine landscapes. From the moment you arrive at Robiei, you’re surrounded by rocky peaks, alpine lakes and hiking trails, with the Basòdino Glacier forming the dramatic backdrop.
During my visit on a Sunday, the funicular was a little crowded, but once at the top everyone spreads out to their own hikes. During my 11km hike I must have seen only around 10 people throughout the day.
And the journey itself is part of the experience. Watching the Val Bavona landscape disappear below you as the cable car climbs towards Robiei is a pretty spectacular way to start a day in the mountains.
Just remember that the cable car is seasonal for visitors, so check the current operating dates and timetable before setting off.
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