Lake Monate is small, round and remarkably clean, set in the gentle hills of the Varese province between Lake Maggiore and Lake Varese. It has no river flowing into it, being fed by springs, and its water is among the clearest of any lake in Lombardy, which makes it a favourite with swimmers on hot summer days. On its northern shore, near Cadrezzate, the site known as Il Sabbione preserves the remains of a prehistoric village built on piles at the water's edge, part of the UNESCO listing of prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps. The Varese area is rich in such sites, and the finds from them, including pottery, tools and the remains of wooden canoes, are displayed in local museums.
The landscape is a patchwork of small lakes, low hills, woods and villages, shaped by the glaciers that once flowed down from the Alps. Lake Varese, just to the east, has an island, Isolino Virginia, which was also a pile dwelling site and has a small museum. Lake Maggiore, to the west, is much larger, with grand villas, gardens and islands, including the Borromean Islands off Stresa.
The riding is varied and enjoyable. The roads around the lakes are winding and scenic, with views over the water and the hills, though they can be busy with traffic, especially at weekends. North of Varese, the road climbs to the Sacro Monte, a mountain sanctuary approached by a cobbled pilgrim path lined with fourteen chapels, part of the UNESCO listing of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy. Beyond it, the Campo dei Fiori offers twisting roads through forests, with views over the lakes and the Alps. Further north, the Valcuvia and the valleys towards the Swiss border have quiet roads with plenty of bends.
Besozzo, about six kilometres away, is the nearest town of any size, with fuel and shops, and Varese, the provincial capital, is a larger city with everything you could need. The beaches on Lake Monate, with their clear water, are perfect for a swim after a ride, and the local restaurants serve lake fish, risotto and polenta. The weather is warm in summer, with occasional thunderstorms, and the hills can be foggy in autumn and winter.