Monte Mottarone Mountain
Scenic Piedmont mountain between Lakes Orta and Maggiore
Between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, Monte Mottarone rewards day-trippers with panoramic lake-and-Alps views, hiking trails, ski slopes and a summit reachable by road and cable connections.
Monte Mottarone at a Glance#
About Monte Mottarone#
Monte Mottarone is a mountain in Piedmont, Italy, situated between Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta with a summit elevation of 1,491 metres. It is a local recreational and viewpoint destination known for extensive lake and Alpine vistas.
The summit area provides wide panoramic views across Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the surrounding Alps on clear days, and hosts hiking routes, winter sports facilities and picnic areas. Visitor infrastructure includes road access from surrounding towns and a cable-car link from Stresa.
Used for recreation and tourism since the 20th century, the mountain has developed facilities for year-round visitors including ski slopes and hiking trails. Infrastructure has been updated periodically to support tourism.
Monte Mottarone sits in the Piedmont region above the Borromean Gulf of Lake Maggiore and near the town of Stresa, between the two lakes it overlooks.
- Panorama and access: Peaks at 1,491 metres and offers panoramic views over Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the surrounding Alpine ranges; access is available from Stresa by road and from a cable-car route.
How to Get to Monte Mottarone#
Easily reached from Stresa on Lake Maggiore. A cable car runs (when in service) from Stresa to the summit; alternatively, drive via provincial roads (SP69/SS337) or follow marked hiking trails from nearby towns.
Tips for Visiting Monte Mottarone#
- Take the cable car (funivia) from Stresa on calm days for the best panorama across the lakes.
- Walk the forest trail to the Strada del Mottarone for quieter views and wildflower spotting in spring.
- Avoid the summit road on busy summer weekends; parking fills early.
Best Time to Visit Monte Mottarone#
Best visited late spring through autumn for clear views and access to trails; winter can be snowy and the cable car may have limited service.
Weather & Climate near Monte Mottarone#
Monte Mottarone's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1051 mm/year), wettest in May.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 4° | -2° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| February | Poor | -4° - 5° | -2° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 7° | 0° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 1° - 9° | 3° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.7h |
| June | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 106 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.4h |
| July | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 85 mm | some cloud | 69% | 2.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.1h |
| August | Very Good | 11° - 20° | 16° | 102 mm | some cloud | 70% | 1.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.9h |
| September | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 102 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 1.9 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 6° | 117 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 1.8 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.8h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 7° | 1° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 1.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 4° | -1° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
