Rivera lies surrounded by mountains on the south side of the Monte Ceneri, at the southern entrance/exit of the Ceneri motorway tunnel. The trains of the Gotthard Railway and traffic on the motorway and main road roar through the village – hardly an idyll.

No idyll but the departure and arrival point for a host of excursions, hikes or bike tours: the Bellinzona-Chiasso regional trains stop at the station with the double-barrelled name of Rivera-Bironico. Postbuses into the Val d'Isone to Medeglia and Isone also leave from here.

Medeglia is a setting-off point for tours to the south, to the moorland area Gola di Lago and further on for example to Monte Bar (view from Monte Rosa massif to Bernina massif) or north to scenic Cima di Medeglia (views stretching from Lago di Lugano to the south across Lago Maggiore in the west and to the Graubunden Alps to the north east) and back on the Ceneri traffic route. The postbus terminus at Isone is mainly known as the location of the Swiss Army Infantry Training School and further departure point for tours in the mountains around Val d'Isone.

A few metres north of the Rivera-Bironico railway station is the valley station of the aerial cableway to Monte Tamaro, or rather the top station at Alpe Foppa. The Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, with its contemporary, characteristic form, designed by Ticino architect Mario Botta stands at Alpe Foppa.

This is also where the final climb up the Monte Tamaro and the popular high-level hike to Monte Lema begin. Special tickets are available for this round tour, including the Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema aerial cableways and the valley bus connection back to your starting point.

Highlights

• Monte Tamaro aerial cableway - Rivera is the valley station of the aerial cableway to Alpe Foppa, site of the famous church designed by Ticino architect Mario Botta. It is also the departure point for wonderful hikes.
• Val d'Isone - Rivera is close to the exit of the Val d'Isone; from here postbuses leave for the Monte Bar and Cima di Medeglia hiking areas.