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MOTTARONE
MOTTARONE
The Mottarone will certainly not be among the most impressive mountain roads in the geographic atlas of our Country, but it is certainly a popular destination due to its strategic position between Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, thus also acting as a panoramic link between the two areas, as well as a point of interest for connoisseurs of this granite mountain which during the winter season welcomes many skiers and during the summer and spring period is an excellent place for hikers and cyclists. Keeping our tires on the asphalt strip that connects the elegant town of Orta San Giulio and the wonderful Stresa, the approximately 40 km of the Mottarone road is also a real treat for motorists and motorcyclists.
Location: Orta San Giulio – Stresa
Elevation: 1,492 m
Type: hill road
After passing Armeno, the road becomes quite wide and a tarmac in mainly good conditions allows adrenaline-fueled driving moments, always joined by a splendid view over the valleys and the lakes below. Once on top there is plenty of space for a break, even in a group, and at that point – depending on your travel needs – you can go backwards and then coming back to Orta San Giulio, taking advantage of the most panoramic and driven-friendly part of the “Motta”, or enter the Borromeo Park (there’s a small fee) and descend towards Lake Maggiore, however driving through a much less involving and more closed bit of road that runs through the private park. The colors of the autumn, mixed with the morphology of the area and the scarce traffic of late season, only accentuate the beauty of this place that will surprise you even without the dramatic backdrops of the Alpine passes.
Photo by Andy Williams
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