Lake Maggiore (or
Verbania) is a lake basin of north-eastern Piedmont which borders with Lumbardy
and Switzerland and is the second largest among Italian lakes after Lake
Garda. Sheltered by the Alpin ring, it occupies a valley gullu probably of
tectonic origin; it extends for 64 Km. with a prevalently NNE-SSW direction
from Mogadino to Sesto Calende; its maximum width is of 4.5 Km. (between
Cannero Riviera and Germignaga, excluding the Borromeo Gulf) and has a surface
of 212.2 Km. Its major surface is to be found in Italian territory, where
it acts as a boundary between the region Piedmont and region Lumbardy; only
the extreme northen sector (42 Km) belongs to Switzerland. Its coastline
is 166 Km. long. Lake Maggiore's water receiving basin is very extensive
including the valleys of the Ticino and the Toce rivers, besides that of
the Maggia Torrent; moreover, it receives even the waters of Lake Lugano
through the Tresa stream, of Lake Orta through the Strona stream, of Lake
Varese through the Bardello stream and of the Mergozzo Lake, which the alluvium
deposits of the Toce river separates from the Borromeo Gulf; the only effluent
is the Ticino river that leaves the lake at Sesto Calende, flowing into the
Po river from the left, downstream of Pavia.
Particularly favoured by a mild climate and equiped with excellent Hotel
facilities and numerous camping sites, Lake Maggiore is a highly sought after
tourist destination; on its shores many are the localities of international
renown that are to be found, among which Arona,
Belgirate, Stresa (which a modern cableway connects to the ski slopes of
Mottarone), Baveno Verbania, Cannero Riviera and Cannobbio. Cruising the
lake with modern boats and fast hydrofoils is a very developed activity;
there is frequent ferry service for cars and passengers between Intra (Verbania)
and Laveno. 
For
sport fans, there exist a vast range of choices: fishing (fresh water alborella,
trouts, perchis, etc.), water skking, rowing, sailing, swimming, the possibility
of using winter sport facilities in Mottarone, Pian di Sole and Piancavallo
and of the three golf courses in Stresa, Gignese and Premeno. Heavy traffic
roads and railroad connect the main centers with each other. The Lake Maggiore
area with its 179 Hotels, 43 camping sites is undoubtedly the most receptive
tourist area in Piedmont.
Informations from A.P.T. -Azienda Promozione Turistica- del Lago Maggiore, Official Tourist Office. Information Offices:
Last update: March 9th, 1998