Mottarone

Mottarone is a granite mountain of 1492 m a.s.l. located in Piedmont in the Pennine Alps. It belongs to the community of Stresa and overlooks Lake Maggiore.

This is regarded as one of the most beautiful "balconies" in Italy. In 1954, the New York Times also reported that the view over the islands and Lake Mottarone is among the ten most fascinating views in the world.

The Mottarone has a funny shape: from a distance it looks very much like a "panettone" because of the very rounded top on which dominates an imposing antenna of the repetition system. From the panoramic positions on the summit, you can admire: the Swiss and Italian Alps (you can see the peak of Monte Rosa), the Borromean Islands, the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, From the summit you can also see many of the pre-alpine lakes as Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Monate, Lake Comabbio, Lake Varese and a portion of the PO Plain.

Until 1911, getting to the summit of the Mottarone was not easy: the mountain was accessible from Stresa, only on foot, using the old mule tracks of the alpigiani. To facilitate access and increase tourism, in 1911 the rack railway and electric traction was inaugurated: a small train connected Stresa to the summit of Mottarone along 6 stops of about an hour.
In 1970, the Stresa-Mottarone cableway was built, connecting the lake to the top in just 20 minutes.

Today it is also possible to reach the top by car, from Lake Orta and Armeno through the provincial road 41 or, on the other side, from Stresa and Gignese along the private road Borromeo, still belonging to the Borromeo family, which provides for the payment of a toll as it crosses the Mottarone Park. Despite the presence of the road, the cable car was built according to new technologies and still runs along the Stresa-Alpino-Mottarone line. From the finish position of the cable car, you can climb to the top of Mottarone with the Mottarone Vetta chairlift.

Mottarone provides enjoyment all year round. Surrounded by nature and fantastic landscapes, there are plenty of paths to explore in spring and autumn.

For lovers of adventure there is Alpyland, the Mottarone toboggan: 1.2 km of monorail suitable for young and old. In winter, however, the Mottarone can fall several meters of snow that turn it into a paradise for skiers and mountaineers. Italy's first international ski race took place in Mottarone in 1935.

The ski area called Snowfun Mottarone now offers 21 km of fun along 21 tracks suitable for beginners, served by 7 ski lifts or chairlift.