The journey to the 1,492 meter height of Mottarone offers an extraordinary visual experience from the first kilometers of the climb. A classic stop for many motorcyclists like us during the weekend, the real magic begins well before, along the road, as soon as the vegetation suddenly opens up offering an aerial glimpse of rare beauty: the blue waters of Lake Orta and the village of Orta San Giulio seen from above.
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The perspective from here offers a sensation of total suspension with the road itself becoming a privileged balcony to contemplate the landscape of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and the nearby province of Novara, transforming every curve into an unforgettable visual emotion. Continuing along the ascent, you then find yourself immersed in a ribbon of asphalt that rises softly and enters lush woods of beech, birch and fir trees.
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The summit and the extraordinary panorama of the terrace of the seven lakes
Having reached the top of the granite mountain through a very short (but steep) climb on foot, the view that opens up before your eyes literally leaves you breathless.
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Historically defined as a real terrace over the seven lakes, the relief offers on clear days a circular view that embraces seven distinct water basins: Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Varese, Lake Monate, Lake Comabbio and Lake Biandronno.
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Stretching your eye towards the horizon, the perspective ranges from the Maritime Alps to the profile of Monviso, reaching up to the imposing peaks of the Monte Rosa Massif, the Swiss Alps and the vastness of the Po Valley. During the clearest days you can also see the buildings of Milan. This natural observation point, named at the end of the nineteenth century by the lawyer Orazio Spanna with the approval of Count Guido Borromeo, contains a unique geographical heritage just over an hour and a half away from Milan.
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The park’s attractions include adventure, sports and gourmet stops
In addition to the visual impact of the landscape, the circuit managed by the Terre Borromeo brand offers numerous opportunities to experience the mountains in every season. Among the main attractions, Alpyland stands out, a rail track with over a kilometer of route and 100 meters of altitude difference that allows you to whiz through the curves with a view of the lakes. Not far away, the Mottarone Adventure Park offers itineraries suspended among the trees for adults and children, complete with tree climbing walls up to 13 meters high.
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For outdoor enthusiasts, an e-bike rental service is available at the Bar Stazione, located in the building of the historic Stresa-Mottarone railway, which allows you to explore the paths before enjoying a culinary break at the Rifugio Genziana, a reference point for tasting the typical cuisine of the Lombardy-Piedmont area.
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Unfortunately, this magnificent place has also become sadly famous for the cable car accident that occurred on May 23, 2021 which caused 14 deaths. Since then the facility, which also includes the chairlift that reaches the summit, has been closed to the public.
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A unique place in the world that you can’t help but fall in love with
Mottarone is not just a destination or a panoramic road to travel on two wheels, but a journey that remains imprinted in the eyes and heart. When the sky is clear and the view extends from Monte Rosa to the Po Valley, you really understand why this place is unique in the world. Leaving the frenzy of the city behind and finding yourself suspended at almost 1,500 meters above sea level, embraced by the blue of the lakes and the green of the woods, is the most beautiful gift that this mountain can give. Mottarone greets you like this: with the promise that, once you have seen this terrace, you will only want to come back again like we do every year.
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