Lake Orta is a perfect itinerary for those on a motorbike who want to take a ride a stone's throw from Milan or are passing through Lake Maggiore.
On a sunny afternoon, riding ours Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer, we have pushed the twin-cylinder well from Milan up to Arona (quite boring) but that you can skip if you decide to skirt the Ticino up to Lake Maggiore.
From Arona, following the signs we headed towards I rise passing from the southwest. Even before arriving you notice the beautiful at the top left Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, which dominates the entire valley right on top of the rocks on which it was built. After a few hundred meters we turn at the crossroads for Centonara and begin the beautiful and gentle climb that will take you to the top. Already the first hairpin bends offer space to stop and take a picture of the lake and theSan Giulio Island, but it is going up that you feel how nice it will be to get to the top.
The twin cylinder from Mandello pushes very well down with an excellent recovery at all laps, the climb becomes panoramic and fun. The motorcycle who meet on Mondays are not few, who knows the weekend!
Take the first fork on the left that you find for the sanctuary, the hairpin bends are tight but just go slowly: you will have the perfect size of what you are climbing. At the top, the last meters that separate you from the Sanctuary are already exciting for the view that can be glimpsed: arrive on the square, leave everything, motorcycle, helmet and go to the terrace overlooking the Church.
Beautiful, is not it? We stayed 5 minutes in silence watching everything. A view like this is really hard to find. All of Lake Orta below you with the snow-capped Alps as a perfect frame. Photos, photos, photos ... almost sorry to leave.
We take the bike back down on the side of the little ones villages di Arto e One hundred that will bring you back to the SP46. From here the road does not run along the lake but enters a harmonious series of curves in nature up to Omegna: the stretch is perfect for letting the two cylinders vent: there is no lack of gas, the brakes do their duty and the position, obviously not sporty, still makes us feel safe when leaning and changing direction.
Omegna is worth a stop along the lake where you can park easily and choose a nice place for a meal or a coffee. From here we resume the provincial road towards Armenian, from which you can get on the "Mottarone“, But the inclement weather forced us to return quickly. We pass by Orta San Giulio where the famous is based Villa Crespi. Photo by Torsade de Pointes - Own work, CC0, Links
The tour of the lake ends a few kilometers later, but the options for turning are many: the Lake Maggiore, Val Sesia or the Val D'Ossola they are all destinations that will fill your days on the bike and your heart.
Ride safe! FC
For our tour we used:
| Motorcycle | Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer |
| Helmet | Schuberth C4 Pro |
| Leatherwear | Helstons Hunt leather jacket |
| Electronics | MIDLAND BTX1 PRO S Bluetooth intercom |
