Laveno Cable Car: Bucket Lift up Monte Sasso del Ferro
Take the bucket cable car up Monte Sasso del Ferro: one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Lake Maggiore awaits you!
Unobstructed views as far as Milan: with the bucket lift from Laveno
A vacation on Lake Maggiore is characterized by water, mountains, and Mediterranean flair—but if you really want to experience the lake from above, you shouldn't miss a trip to the Laveno-Mombello bucket cable car. The nostalgic cable car, which takes visitors up Monte Sasso del Ferro, is one of the most extraordinary excursion destinations in the region and offers a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Maggiore, the Po Valley, and, on a clear day, as far as the Alps. With a bit of luck, the view even reaches as far as Milan.
On this page, you will find out how to get to the cable car from Cannobio, what makes the cable car so special, what awaits you at the summit, and when the lift is in operation. An ideal destination for a varied day trip!
Laveno Cable Car at a Glance
- Route: Laveno-Mombello (east bank) – Poggio Sant’Elsa on Sasso del Ferro
- Travel time: around 15 minutes, over 700 meters in altitude
- Cabins: open buckets for two people, plus some closed cabins
- Prices (as of 2026): Round trip €14, children under 12 years €10
- High season 2026 (June 12 – Sept 13): weekdays 11 AM – 8:30 PM, weekends 10 AM – 9 PM
- From Cannobio: by car and ferry via Verbania-Intra, around 1 to 1.5 hours
How do you reach the bucket lift in Laveno?
Anyone spending their vacation in Cannobio on the western shore of Lake Maggiore at Lakeview Cannobio has several attractive options for getting to the cable car in Laveno.
1. By scheduled boat across the lake
The most scenic route takes you by scheduled boat from Cannobio first southwards to Verbania-Intra. From there, you take a ferry across the lake to Laveno-Mombello, located on the eastern shore. The boat trip to Verbania takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the connection, and the crossing to Laveno takes about another 20 minutes. The pier is just a few minutes' walk from the valley station of the cable car. Alternatively, you can of course drive to Verbania-Intra and board the boat there; there are many parking spaces available at the port of Verbania-Intra. (Note! Not on Saturdays, as that is market day in Intra!)
2. By car via ferry
Laveno is also easily accessible by your own car or a rental car. First, drive from Cannobio to Verbania-Intra (about a 30 to 40-minute drive along the lakeshore) and take the car ferry to Laveno. The ferries run about every 20 minutes in high season, and tickets are available directly at the pier. Especially for children, the ferry crossing is often a special experience! Our tip: Arrive early, as the ferries are often very busy in good weather—especially on weekends.
3. Alternative: entirely by land
If you don't want to use a ferry, you can also take the land route via Locarno, Maccagno, and Luino. This route is scenic but significantly more winding and takes longer (travel time approx. 1.5 hours).
What is so special about the cable car?
The Laveno bucket cable car is a technical and touristic one-off. Instead of modern large cabins, it uses small, open metal buckets that accommodate two people standing up. This open construction ensures particularly direct contact with nature and magnificent views even during the ride.
Nostalgic Charm and 360° Panorama
The lift was opened in 1963 and still radiates nostalgic charm today. Despite its simplicity, it is safe, well-maintained, and extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. During the approximately 15-minute ride, you ascend over 700 meters in altitude and have an unobstructed view of the lake, the surrounding towns, and the sparkling water.
The brave can ride in the open cabin, while those who are less daring can also choose one of the (rarer) closed cabins—ideal in strong winds or with small children.
Destination: Monte Sasso del Ferro
The cable car takes you to Monte Sasso del Ferro (1,062 m), one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Lake Maggiore. The mountain station is located at Poggio Sant’Elsa below the summit. A magnificent panorama opens up as soon as you arrive:
- Below you lies Lake Maggiore with the Borromean Islands
- To the south, you can see Lake Varese and the Po Valley, and on very clear days, as far as Milan and sometimes even the Apennines
- To the west and north, the Alps rise up—including Monte Rosa
Activities at the summit
1. Panoramic Restaurant:
Directly at the mountain station is a restaurant with a panoramic terrace, plus a bar and a small hotel. Here you can enjoy regional specialties—from pasta and risotto to polenta dishes and sweet desserts. Especially recommended: a glass of regional wine with a view of the sunset over the lake.
2. Enjoying Hiking and Nature:
Several hiking trails start at the mountain station—from short walks to multi-hour tours. In about 20 minutes, you can reach the small village of Casere on foot; other paths lead through chestnut forests to chapels and viewpoints or up to the summit. If you are fit, you can also descend to Laveno on hiking trails.
3. Paragliding:
Sasso del Ferro is a popular launch site for paragliders. In good weather, you can regularly see paragliders circling over the lake. If you wish, you can even book a tandem flight.
4. Photography and Enjoyment:
Around the mountain station, there are many quiet spots with fantastic viewpoints. The light for photos is particularly beautiful in the late afternoon and evening.
Cable Car Opening Hours and Prices (as of 2026)
The cable car runs from spring to autumn; operations are suspended in winter (most recently from November 3, 2025, to March 31, 2026). In the high season from June 12 to September 13, 2026, it runs on weekdays from 11 AM to 8:30 PM and on weekends from 10 AM to 9 PM; shorter hours apply in the pre- and post-season.
A round trip costs 14 euros for adults, and a one-way trip is 10 euros. Children under 12 pay 10 euros for a round trip and 7 euros for a one-way trip. There is a special family rate of 13 euros per parent and 5 euros per child. Dogs can ride for 5 euros, and bicycles and paragliding equipment are also 5 euros per one-way trip. Information: Funivia Laveno - Sasso del Ferro
Other Cable Cars on Lake Maggiore
There is no cable car in Cannobio itself, but the Laveno bucket lift is not the only mountain railway nearby. On the Swiss side, the cable car takes you up Monte Tamaro with its high ropes park and summer toboggan run, while in the Bavona Valley, the Robiei cable car goes up to the mountain lakes. And if you prefer traveling on rails, take the Centovalli Railway.
Conclusion: A must for every visitor to Lake Maggiore
The Laveno bucket cable car is much more than just a means of transportation—it’s a true experience! The nostalgic gondolas, the breathtaking view from Monte Sasso del Ferro, and the cozy restaurant at the mountain station make this excursion a highlight of any Lake Maggiore vacation. Especially if you’re vacationing in Cannobio, you can easily reach the lift by boat and ferry—a perfect combination of adventure and enjoying nature. Just be sure to ride only when the weather is good—the view is very dull in fog.
Since dogs are also allowed on the cable car, the trip is ideal for a vacation with your dog on Lake Maggiore. Here in Cannobio, you can stay with your four-legged friend in a mobile home by the lake, in a vacation apartment in Cannobio, or at a pitch for motorhomes, caravans, or tents.
Questions and answers
It operates with nostalgic open metal buckets for two people standing up and takes visitors up the mountain in about 15 minutes with an unobstructed view. For windy days, there are also some closed cabins.