Mottarone, a certainty: the giant between two lakes that never ceases to excite.
There are mountains that, no matter how well-known and frequented they may be, always manage to offer new emotions. Mottarone belongs to this category. For those who live between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, it's more than just a hiking destination or a mountain peak to reach by bike: it's a place that's part of the local identity, a natural balcony from which to observe two lakes, the plain, and the Alps in a single glance.
This great "rock" suspended between water and mountains has something special. On clear days, you can even see Milan's Madonnina, while to the north, a panorama opens up that encompasses many of the most famous Alpine four-thousanders. A spectacle that continues to leave speechless even those, like us, who have been fortunate enough to reach it dozens of times.
A proposal that came at the right time
The idea for the trip came almost by chance. A few days earlier, a new friend who had joined the Verbano Cusio Ossola e-MTB group, coming from the Lombardy shore of Lake Maggiore, had asked if a trip to Mottarone was planned during the season.
Sometimes the best initiatives arise from the simplest questions. The answer was immediate: why wait? So, within a few days, the program was ready and by Sunday it had found its destination.
Twenty-two bikers and one desire: to be together
When we set off from Gignese, there were twenty-two of us. A large group, made up of friends who have been riding together for years, newcomers, and even a few first-time riders. Whenever you organize a ride this large, the challenge is always the same: finding the right balance between fun and accessibility, so everyone can have a great day.
This is where the e-bike perhaps shows its best side. Not just as a means of tackling challenging climbs, but as a tool capable of enabling different people to share the same experience. Each at their own pace, but all with the same goal.
Between Tre Montagnette and Monte Falò
The chosen route proved to be perfect. From the Tre Montagnette to the panoramic views of Monte Falò, the climb was a continuous succession of trails, woods, and views capable of capturing the attention of even the most focused cyclists.
There were plenty of photo stops, as well as the chatter and banter that always accompany our rides. A few sections were dirtier than expected, resulting in a few minor mechanical issues, and there were a few falls, fortunately without any consequences. Nothing that could ruin a day that was going so well.
Up there, where the view repays all the effort
Reaching the summit of Mottarone is always a special moment. No matter how many times you get there, when the panorama opens up before your eyes, the feeling is always the same.
It's the perfect place to stop, look around, and remember why we ride. The sandwich and beer we enjoyed at the summit tasted like simple things that become special when shared with the right people. All around us, lakes, mountains, and extraordinary visibility seemed to reward every meter of climbing we'd tackled that morning.
A descent to be enjoyed until the last metre
From the summit, we descended along the ski slope and then continued towards Coiromonte and Sovazza. The route was never too technically challenging, but it was extremely enjoyable, alternating between fast sections, panoramic views, and stretches immersed in greenery.
These are the routes that allow you to relax and have fun at the same time, without the anxiety of performance and with the simple pleasure of letting the trail guide you.
Much more than just a bike ride
As often happens, the fondest memory isn't tied to a specific stretch of trail or a particular photograph. It's the people who make the difference. The laughter during breaks, the mutual help in times of difficulty, the satisfaction of seeing everyone arrive at their destination with a smile.
Once back in Gignese, we couldn't miss the traditional halftime at the village bar. A final moment together before saying goodbye, knowing we'd spent another wonderful day on our local trails.
Because Mottarone is a must-see. Not just for its beauty, but because it reminds us time and again that an e-bike is much more than a bicycle: it's a way to explore, share, and experience the area with others.
