Surrounded by undulating countryside, Comabbio and Monate are less dramatic than the larger lakes and are often overlooked by foreign visitors, also because, being shallow, they are generally less suitable for swimming.

 

Lake Comabbio

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Lake Comabbio, just 7.7 metres deep,is subject to a natural process of eutrophication. There are no swimming beaches.

Just like Lago di Varese, 4 km to the north, to which it is connected through Brabbia wetlands, Lake Comabbio compensates for the lack of swimming opportunities with a fantastic 12.5 kilometre cycle track which winds all the way round it. The most exciting section is near to Ternate and includes Europe’s longest aerial cycle track, suspended over the lake on wooden stilts (currently closed for repair work).

 

Lake Monate

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Access to Lake Monate on the other hand is more difficult and there is no cycle track as private property often extends down to the water’s edge. On the positive side, the water is exceptionally clean and there are a number of impeccably maintained beaches where swimming is allowed. Most are private and charge an entrance fee; this means that they are kept spotlessly clean and are well equipped with all possible facilities, including bars and restaurants and sunbed rental. These beaches are very popular with Italian day-trippers.

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Cycling

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Though there are several cycle tracks on the western, Piemonte shores of Lago Maggiore, they tend to be hard to find and somewhat disjointed.

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To enjoy carefree cycling and easy gradients, the best two options are to the East of Lago Maggiore and involve two interconnected round-the-lake loops, circling Lago di Varese (28 km) and Lago di Comabbio (12 km); they are linked by a 4.4 km track, bordering one of Italy’s top wetlands, making a possible total of 44.4 km if you decide to go for the double-loop and combine both lakes.

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The Lago di Varese circuit is almost entirely surfaced with asphalt. It rarely hugs the shoreline, but runs mostly through sun-dappled woods or farmland though there are also several built up areas.

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The views are particularly scenic in the southern section. The whole track is well sign-posted. Cyclists tend to progress in a clockwise direction so it might make sense to join them to lessen the risk of collision especially on Sundays when locals come out en masse to cycle or walk around the lake.

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There are plenty of opportunities to take a break and explore interesting sites or grab a bite to eat.

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At Cazzago there are some ancient ice-houses where people used to store ice from the lake whereas at Bodio Lomnago you can take a small detour to a pretty lakeside area where there is a bar and a wooden pier.

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If you have the time, you can also stop off at Biandronno to take a boat to Lago di Varese’s only island, also a UNESCO world heritage site.

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The Lago di Comabbio circuit is mostly on dedicated track, though there is one stretch where the route runs through a crowded public park and you have to dismount. Just like the Lago di Varese circuit, there are stretches where the track runs uncomfortably close to a main road.

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If you don't have your own bikes or still prefer renting due to the difficulty of loading them onto your car, you’ll find a good option at Hotel Montelago at Ternate on the shores of Comabbio lake.