HOTEL MONTELAGO - LAKE VARESE
HOTEL MONTELAGO – LAKE VARESE
38km - 2,5 hours - average difficulty
A pleasant route that leads to the discovery of the landscape around the Lake of Varese and the history of its villages.
Starting from our hotel and keeping the lake on our right, we immediately rejoin the beautiful and well kept cycling lane in the direction of Varano Borghi and after few minutes we reach the connection of 4.5 kms which will take us through the Brabbia marsh, up to Cassinetta di Biandronno.
After crossing the secondary road we enter the cycling route around the Lake of Varese.
By turning left at the first intersection we reach Biandronno, a town where archeological finds and remains of ancient pile-dwellings have been discovered. From here it is possible to reach the Isolino Virginia, which preserves traces of a prehistoric settlement. In this area there are interesting beaches, and the cycling lane winds along, skirting the lake whenever possible.
After Biandronno we find Bardello, characterized by its river that flows from the lake of Varese into the lake Maggiore. Again, remains of ancient pile-dwellings have been discovered here.
The largest town we find around the lake of Varese is Gavirate: its area includes a number of different hamlets, some located on the shore. Gavirate has a particularly beautiful lakeside, famed for a fireworks display in summer. A visit to the Cloister of Voltorre, located in the same town, is a must for every tour of the lake. Continuing on we go pass the district of Oltrona al Lago, which is part of the municipality of Gavirate and then we reach Calcinate del pesce, where there is a runway for the takeoff and landing of gliders.
We then may access the beautiful area opposite the beach of Schiranna. This location is part of the municipality of Varese and thanks to a recent restoration can be enjoyed by foot, talking long walks on the beach and in the Parco Zanzi.
Another point of interest is the MV Agusta motorcycle workshop, previously owned to the famous brand Cagiva. For the world of commerce, an important yearly event is held at the beginning of September, the Varese City Expo. Continuing along the cycling lane, we now find the area of Capolago.
Until a few years ago there used to be a small port along the shore, where festivals and parties were often held, but nowadays to visit the village it is necessary to exit the cycling lane.
Another small town we encounter on the shore of the lake is Buguggiate, but in order to reach it we need to go up its hill, leaving the cycling lane behind. The town of Erbamolle, of medieval origins, is very characteristic; it is possible to visit its church. Immediately after Buguggiate we find Azzate, another town built on high ground, where we find sixteenth- and seventeenth-century villas; on the shore there is the small church of the Madonnina del Lago: a celebration in honor of Our Lady of the Lake is held here each year in October.
After Azzate we find Galliate Lombardo, located just few kilometers from the lake: the cycling lane crosses its territory for only a few hundred meters. Now we are in Bodio Lomnago where it is possible to take a pleasant and relaxing walk thanks to recent refurbishment works on the shore. Recently, archeological finds have been dug here, presenting strong evidence of prehistoric settlements in this area.
Carrying on our tour, we reach Cazzago Brabbia, famous for the three ice boxes, the most ancient in the lake area, which used to be filled with lake ice and snow, to preserve food. The swamp beside the village is a bird reservation managed by LIPU, and can be visited.
We have now completed our tour of the lake of Varese: returning on the route towards the lake of Comabbio and turning right we reach the cycling lane which will take us back to the hotel in just a few minutes.
