Lake Orta’s ring tour to discover local landscape and historic villages.
The shores of the Lake Orta, in the Novarese, are perfect for a cycling tour of excellence: the lake offers the right mix of athletic engagement, scenic beauty and typical gastronomy.
The best route to explore the area is what that, starting from Gozzano, runs around the lake (about 40 km) on low-traffic roads.
From Gozzano, overlooking the south tip of the lake, you proceed along the western shore towards the town of Pella. The village rises in a really impressive position on a small peninsula stretching out on the lake. Beyond the town is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, also known as “Cusio’s balcony”, where you will enjoy a wonderful view of the lake, of the Mottarone massif and of the Alps. It’s worth face the climb to enjoy the view.
The route continues to Arola, Nonio and Broio. You will pedal in the middle of the nature by facing several ups and downs until the long descent ending on the promenade along Lake Omegna, on the north tip of Lake Orta. You reach the half way of the track and this city is perfect for a stopover. If you are here at the end of August you can also take part to the San Vito Festival with the long-awaited fireworks on the lake.
Once left Omegna, after about 10 km you arrive at Orta San Giulio. It’s a medieval village with magical atmospheres with historic palaces, churches and towers. In front of the village there is the island of San Giulio and on it the homonymous basilica founded, according to the legend, by the saint in person. The actual one dates back to the 12th century and deserves at least one visit.
Before finishing the tour at Gozzano, the Tapulone, a renowned typical dish made of ground meat cooked in wine, is worth a taste, accompanied maybe by the Nebbiolo of the Novarese hills.
