Cycling Around Lake Orta

A beautiful bike ride around Lake Orta. Starting from Gozzano, you head along the shore towards the mountain, from where you can see some lovely secluded little beaches, and from there an unusual view of the island of San Giulio. Then you carry on climbing up the tarmac road, amid the coolness of the woods, until you reach Cesara, where a classic cooperative offers you a simple but very cheap meal. Then you take the road, all downhill, down to Omegna; from there you can take in the lake in its full extent. You start pedalling again on a fairly boring flat stretch, until you reach Orta San Giulio; before entering the village you'll find, on your right, a sign to reach it by a narrow but easy path along the lake — I assure you it's very beautiful.

At Orta San Giulio you can visit the Sacro Monte, a beautiful series of 17th/18th-century chapels on the life of Jesus, and some biblical scenes, spread over the hill of Orta. We take the way back to Gozzano, and a stop at the pastry shop in the old town is a must, where you can eat some 'Brutti e buoni' made with meringue paste and chopped dried fruit, excellent. Good travels everyone. esserevento