Mottarone: Panoramic Mountain Between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta
Sweeping Views at 1,491 Metres, Hiking Trails and the Alpyland Toboggan Run
Mottarone – A Mountain Between Two Lakes
Location and altitude
The Mottarone stands between two lakes: on one side Lake Maggiore with Stresa and the Borromean Islands, on the other Lake Orta. At 1,491 metres, it is significantly higher than the mountains around Cannobio. Because it lies between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, Italians like to call it the mountain of two lakes. On a clear day, you can even see seven from the top: Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Varese, Lake Monate, Lake Comabbio and Lake Biandronno.
Mottarone at a Glance
- Location: between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, above Stresa
- Altitude: 1,491 m, views of seven lakes
- Journey from Lakeview: approximately 1¼ hours by car via Stresa
- Access: Strada Borromea from Gignese (toll road 9 am–6 pm, last price €10) or toll-free via Armeno
- Highlights: panorama as far as Monte Rosa, Alpyland, Alpinia Garden, hiking trails
- Time needed: a full day
- Suitable for: families, hikers, mountain lovers
A Panorama from the Maritime Alps to Monte Rosa
On good days, the view from the summit sweeps across a wide arc of the Alps, from Monte Rosa over the Swiss peaks to the Maritime Alps. To the south, the Po Valley opens up, and on very clear days you can even make out Monviso. Many guests know Lake Maggiore from the shore. From Mottarone, you see it as part of a much larger whole, and suddenly it becomes clear how lakes, valleys and mountains are connected.
Driving Up
The cable car from Stresa has been out of service since May 2021, so you drive up by car. From Cannobio, you follow the lake to Stresa, around 36 kilometres and three-quarters of an hour. From there, the Strada Borromea, a nine-kilometre private road, leads via Gignese and Alpino to the summit. It is subject to a toll during the day between 9 am and 6 pm, last price €10 per car. From the Orta side, a toll-free road leads up via Armeno. In total, you should allow around 1¼ hours’ drive from Cannobio. There is a large car park at the top.
The mountain railways have a long history here: as early as 1911, an electric rack railway ran from Stresa to the summit, until it was closed in 1963. From 1970, the cable car took over, travelling up via Alpino in around 20 minutes.
Alpyland: The Toboggan Run at the Summit
For families, Alpyland is the highlight. The toboggan run is right at the summit, is 1,200 metres long and covers around 100 metres of altitude. You sit in pairs in a small sled, a lift pulls you up, and on the way down you control the speed yourself with a lever. Children from four years old and 100 centimetres tall can ride along, with the little ones accompanied by an adult.
It is open daily from early April to the end of October, weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm, weekends until 6 pm. In winter, the run operates at weekends and during the Christmas holidays. One ride costs €6.50, for children aged 4 to 9 €5.50, with multi-ride tickets it becomes cheaper (as of 2026). In bad weather, the run may close at short notice.
Hiking, Biking and Taking a Break
Around the summit there are four signposted circular routes, from the short Anello Baby behind the summit to the Grande Anello del Mottarone. Especially with children, a manageable walk followed by a break is often the nicer day. Sporty hikers walk the whole way up from Stresa: around twelve kilometres and 1,300 metres of altitude via Someraro, Levo and Alpino, partly on the route of the old rack railway, with around four and a half hours’ ascent.
For refreshments, there are several places to stop at the top, such as Rifugio Genziana with dishes made from products from the Ossola Valley, for example polenta. At Bar Stazione you can hire mountain bikes and e-bikes; several routes cross the mountain, including downhill and enduro trails for experienced riders.
On the Way: Alpinia and the Umbrella Museum
On the way up, at Alpino at around 800 metres, you’ll find the Giardino Botanico Alpinia. Spread across four hectares, the garden showcases around 1,000 plant species from the Alps and pre-Alps, plus species from the Caucasus, China and Japan. From its terraces, you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the bay and the Borromean Islands. It’s open from April to October.
In Gignese, a small, unusual museum awaits: the Museo dell’Ombrello e del Parasole with around 1,500 rain and sun umbrellas, including pieces belonging to Queen Margherita. It is open from April to September, closed on Mondays. Gignese was once a village of umbrella makers, many of whom travelled from here throughout Europe.
What You Should Bring
Remember an extra layer of clothing. At the top it can be noticeably cooler and windier than in Cannobio. In high summer, that is exactly an advantage: Mottarone is a pleasant change from a hot day by the lake. The mountain lives from its view. If it has its head in the clouds, it may look atmospheric, but the view is missing. So check the weather forecast beforehand. In winter, Mottarone is a small ski area with around 15 kilometres of slopes, ideal for families and beginners.
A Benefactor for Garden and Museum
Behind the Alpinia Garden and the Umbrella Museum stands the same man: Igino Ambrosini. He founded the garden in 1934, then still under the name Duxia, and five years later the museum in Gignese. Anyone who visits both in one day quickly understands how closely the mountain village is connected to the history of umbrella makers.
Mottarone in Winter
Skiing has a long tradition on Mottarone; winter sports enthusiasts have been coming here since 1908. The small ski area lies between 1,200 and 1,491 metres and has several drag and cable lifts as well as conveyor belts for beginners. The season usually runs from the end of December to the end of March, depending on snow. For families with small children practising their first turns, the area is well suited. If you want to ski further, you will find larger alternatives in Bosco Gurin or at Piana di Vigezzo, both easily reached from us. In winter, you can walk the circular routes at the summit with snowshoes.
Road Cycling Up Mottarone
Among cyclists, the climb up from Stresa is a well-known ascent. Cyclists do not pay tolls on the Strada Borromea. Expect around 1,300 metres of elevation gain from the lake to the summit. In summer heat, it’s best to set off early in the morning.
From Mottarone it is not far to Orta San Giulio or to Stresa with the Borromean Islands. However, we would plan the mountain as the main destination of the day and at most add a small second item to the programme, such as the Alpinia Garden on the way back. The journey from Cannobio is longer, and the day should not end in a rush. In the evening you will be back by the water. You can stay with us in a mobile home on Lake Maggiore, in a holiday apartment with lake view or on a pitch for motorhome, caravan or tent.
Insider tips from locals
To make your trip extra special:
- We recommend checking the weather beforehand. Without clear visibility, Mottarone loses its greatest asset.
- We recommend an extra jacket or jumper; at the top it is often cooler and windier.
- For families, we recommend Alpyland. Children aged four and up ride accompanied by an adult.
- We recommend not planning too much in one day. Mottarone alone fills a lovely day trip.
- In good visibility, we recommend a longer break at the top: the view is the real highlight.