The area around Lake Maggiore offers a myriad of proposals for the Tour bikers and while the obvious trip on the shore road around the lake in the summer usually means permanent traffic jam (optional, depending on time of day, even with the races in Switzerland working commuters) found in the adjoining mountainous enough beautiful trails with fantastic views and beautiful mountain inns. A certain joy rides in general curve and narrow switchbacks in particular, is of course provided.

One of the most beautiful mountain routes (besides the trip to Macugnaga or the Valle Verzasca in Ticino, which I determined to elsewhere times presenting) is caused by the Valle Antrona to the Lago di Antrona. In Villadossola you follow the signs to the "Valle Antrona", the road is almost always rather narrow, so that in turn passes urgent oncoming traffic should be placed under. Locals interpret "speed" and "right-side" more often idiosyncratic, space for quick evasive maneuver does not exist.

The Antrona Valley is one of the most original in the catchment of Lake Maggiore, close proximity to the industrial centers of the province, the relatively good accessibility and of course the use of energy from hydropower since the 20s of the last century have ensured that even Taldörfer very well revived and are not already on holiday in Milan settlements degenerates. Typical stone houses, Alps and postcards just switch places with spectacular views of the valley tend entlangführenden high street.

In the highest larger community of the valley, Antrona Schieranco, then offers the option left to the Lago di Antrona (direction Cimallegra) or go straight to the Lago dei Cavalli (Cheggio direction) to drive. I would recommend both lakes to visit.

The Lago di Antrona even in the summer is an extremely popular recreational area, so that on weekends the banks generally fully with excellently organized and equipped Italian families and other groups when Populated sees crickets. And listens. A lonely, quiet mountain lake can be found here tend not to, but if you can not dissuade, it is worth quite a few steps to the very spectacular Alps embedded into the lake to do. And as I said, the lake is ideal for a picnic with friends.

The Lago dei Cavalli is located above Cheggio and is a reservoir for the supply of the valley and the surrounding towns. Very impressive is the bright azure waters of the tributaries of the glacier fed artificial lake. Beautifully particularly on sunny August days! Unfortunately, the path here a little above the usually inaccessible shores of the lake so that break for a picnic or rather the meadows around the town Cheggio suitable. The parking lot is located on the upper outskirts of the municipality directly at the dam, turn left on the dam offers a detour on denum trail around the lake on (1 hour 20 minutes, 5km) or at least 200 meters as compensation for the long trip on the buck.

For me, the Valle Antrona one of the finest motorcycle tours here in the area. I will try, ever again to route proposals noted (Macugnaga, Mottarone, Verzasca, Val Cannobina / Vigezzo), questions, tips and hints, please contact info [ring] altravita [dot] com or comment here than down there immediately. Sun, and here are a few selected photos: