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Lago Ritóm

Ticino  >  Switzerland

Spectacular mountain lake that also allows people with reduced mobility to experience alpine bird species.

Added* by Peter Wittemann
Most recent update 6 ianuarie 2025

Description

The artificial lake of Lago Ritóm itself is of little ornithological interest, but spectacular alpine species can be observed on the slopes along the wheelchair accessible circular trail. The good accessibility makes it possible to visit the area in half a day. However, it is not only ornithologically worthwhile to spend the night there and experience the sunset and sunrise behind the mountaintops. The huts of the Swiss Alpine Club Refugio Lago Ritóm and especially Capanna di Cadagna offer a good opportunity, and the holiday flats on Lago Cadagno are even more comfortable. The latter provide an ideal starting point for a circular walk around the lake in the early morning, when there are still few cars in the area. The surrounding slopes can then be searched for grouse.

The renaturalised marshland of Cadagno di Fuori offers the opportunity to observe Mărăcinar mare. The adjacent hedgerows by the car park are home to Silvie mică. The rocks along the lake are breeding grounds for the Fluturaș de stâncă. On the Alpe Ritom north of the lake, Mierlă de piatră can be observed from the track. Other notable breeding birds include the Brumăriță de stâncă, Cinghiță alpină, Inăriță mică, Codroș de pădure, Fluierar de munte, Presură de munte, Cănăraș galben and Cuc as well as Ieruncă alpină, Cocoș de mesteacăn and Potârniche de stâncă. If you're lucky, you might hear the Buhă at night. The chances are best at the southern end of the lake near Piora. A look upwards can be worthwhile at any time: Acvilă de munte and, in summer, Viespar can often be observed.

Details

Access

Lago Ritóm can be reached by car from Piotta, which is a bit of a shame as the many cars (families and anglers) can ruin the nature experience from 11am to 4pm on nice weekends. If there is no other option, you can park at Cadagno di Fuori. Press P on the map for directions. A more environmentally friendly, comfortable and spectacular option is to take the very steep funicular railway from Piotta Centrale to Piora. The short and beautiful path from Piora to the lake also offers the opportunity to observe species of the alpine coniferous forest.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Mountain , Wetland , Lake

Conditions

Flat

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

Summer

Best time to visit

Summer

Route

Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Camping is not allowed. The track north of the lake is wheelchair accessible. The circular walking route indicated on the map is about 10 km.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

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