San Carlo: Cable Car, Alpine Lakes and Cultural Heritage

Several trails start in San Carlo, while others take you by cable car to Robiei and the alpine landscape at the foot of the Basòdino Glacier. Other attractions include the abandoned settlement of Prèsa, historic buildings and an educational trail inside the Robiei dam. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping in mind the differences in starting point, access, route and elevation.

Take the cable car to Robiei

The San Carlo–Robiei cable car covers a 4-kilometre route in about 15 minutes. It is open to the public during the summer months, providing access to alpine lakes and hiking trails in the landscape at the foot of the Basòdino Glacier. Before travelling, check the current operating period, as public access is seasonal.

The Basòdino Glacier is the largest glacier in Ticino by area. It covers approximately 2 square kilometres and lies at an elevation of between 2,500 and 3,120 metres. The area figure is an estimate, since glacier dimensions change. This means a specific elevation range is given alongside an approximate area.

Trails to lakes and through the glacial landscape

The hike to the Laghetti di Antabia starts in San Carlo. The trail begins before the last bridge on the main road and leads to two alpine lakes at elevations of 2,126 and 2,189 metres. The starting point and elevations give you clear guidance for this outing; the lakes are well above the starting location.

Another alpine route is the Sentiero glaciologico. This circular trail runs from Robiei via Zött, the Basòdino Glacier and Randinascia, returning to Robiei. It is just under 10 kilometres long and reaches an elevation of 2,430 metres. Alpine conditions can affect access and safety, so check the conditions on the route before setting out.

A longer crossing also leads to San Carlo: it runs from Foroglio through the Val Bavona and over the Bocchetta della Crosa. This route is listed as involving around 1,950 metres of ascent, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,507 metres, and having a difficulty rating of EE. Near San Carlo, the Cevio–San Carlo cycling route can also be extended by climbing just under 1.5 kilometres to the Robiei cable car station. The hiking crossing and the cycling route therefore differ in both mode of travel and route description.

Prèsa and its architectural history

A trail from San Carlo leads to the abandoned settlement of Prèsa in just a few minutes. Two tower houses and a 16th-century chapel still stand there; the site also includes a splüi and an old distillery. The short approach links the starting point with a place whose buildings showcase different aspects of traditional construction.

Outside the old settlement, a restored lime kiln is open to visitors. Reach it via a short path leading west from the old village. Check local access before your visit.

Another architectural point of interest is Casa Begnudini. The original building is square, with a symmetrical floor plan. It is believed to date from around the transition between the 17th and 18th centuries.

A look at hydropower

Inside the Robiei dam, an educational trail through the galleries explains how the dams are integrated into the natural water cycle. It also covers the construction of the dams, their safety inspections and the conversion of hydropower into electricity. The trail is free, open to the public and takes about 30 minutes. As access conditions may change, check them before your visit.

The outings described here range from an educational trail of about half an hour to an alpine circular route just under 10 kilometres long; for the trails to the lakes, the focus is instead on the starting point and elevation. The cable car to Robiei is another option, and its seasonal operating schedule should be taken into account when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

Brontallo, Avegno-Gordevio, Cavergno, Linescio, Campo, Cevio, Piano Di Peccia, Lodano

Go to the main travel overview: Vallemaggia.