Lake Orta, in Italian Lago d’Orta, is located in the middle of the Piedmont region in northern Italy. At 18 square kilometers, it is the smallest of the northern Italian lakes, and the area here is sparsely populated. Possibly because of its small size and its neighbour Lake Maggiore, which puts it in the shade, Lake Orta has so far been relatively undiscovered by international tourists – wrongly! The picturesque area at the foothills of the Western Alps with the small Italian villages on the crystal-clear Lago d’Orto with its rugged shores is a successful mix of the best of Italy and the Alpine countries. Due to its low fame, you can still enjoy the original Italy and untouched nature, where the hordes of tourists have not yet arrived. After a gelato and a chappuccino in a pavement café, the cool lake invites you to swim or row, at the end of the day the rough yet gentle area can be enjoyed in the evening sun.
Lake Orta – The geographical location
Lake Orta is a deep blue glacial lake. The lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and in the north it merges into the Ossola Valley. The beautiful color of the lake and the surrounding mountains make for a unique panorama. High above the lake rises Monte Mottarone to the east. Since this is the highest elevation in the area at 1491 meters, you have a perfect panoramic view from here.
Attractions in the area
The center of tourist attention is the Isola San Giulio, which is located in the middle of the lake. A basilica is enthroned on it, which, according to legend, was founded by Saint Julius in the year 400. The basilica has an artistically designed pulpit, and magnificent frescoes can be seen on the dome. In the crypt, Saint Julius is said to rest in a glass coffin.
Take a deep breath in nature
If you visit Lake Orta, you are actually in the middle of nature, because the area is sparsely populated and the area is relatively natural. If that’s not enough, you can take a detour into the surrounding nature. Several nature reserves and national parks connect to Lake Orta. Only half an hour’s drive away, for example, the Monte Fenera National Park offers a varied flora and fauna. Val Grande Park (50 minutes) is also worth a detour, as the largest wilderness reserve in the Alps is home to almost untouched nature. If you are an experienced hiker and climb Pizzo Proman, you will have a unique view over Lake Maggiore. The view from the highest mountain in the area around Lake Orta, Monte Mottarone, is also highly recommended. The summit can either be climbed on foot or easily reached by cable car.
Lake Orta – A destination for sports enthusiasts
Lake Orta is especially popular with kayakers and rowers. Water sports look back on a long tradition here, in 1893 the first ever World Rowing Championships took place on Lake Orta. If you prefer to walk, you can go hiking in the area around Lake Orta, which offers a beautiful view over Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore . The view of the Dufourspitze in the Monte Rosa massif, the second highest mountain in the Alps, which is part of the Seven Second Summits, can also be enjoyed on some hikes. Even on two wheels, you can explore the area of Lake Orta as a wonderful starting point.