Half tour of Lake Maggiore

The start and finish point of this nearly 100 km route is Locarno, the small cinema town on Lake Maggiore. Through the Magadino plain you reach Gambarogno. Each village in Gambarogno has its own special charm and enchants visitors. At Dirinella there is the border crossing with Italy (Lombardy). From km 30 onwards, the road constantly goes up and down until Laveno, where you can take the ferry to Intra. The climbs are mostly short but include some steep sections. The route passes through Luino, where a market is held every Wednesday. You take the ferry to Intra (Piedmont) on the other side of the lake. You follow the lake shore to Cannobio (Sunday is market day), and cross the border to return to Switzerland. Passing Brissago and Ascona, you return to the start at Locarno.

• Total length: 98.6 km

• Elevation gain: +209 m/-226 m

• Information about ferry times is available here www.navigazionelaghi.it.