The forested slopes above Stresa are prime hiking and mountain biking terrain. To reach a network of trails, take the funivia from near the lakefront at the north end of town up Monte Mottarone; the funivia (tel. 0323-30-295; www.stresa-mottarone.it) runs every 20 minutes from roughly 9am to 6pm (hours vary with the season). It costs 10€ one-way to take the funivia along with a bike, which you can rent at the station for 23€ for a half-day or 28€ for a full day. A round-trip ticket without a bike costs 18€ for adults and 11€ for children ages 4 to 12. The Alpinia garden halfway up is open daily April to October from 9:30am to 6pm. A round-trip ticket to Monte Mottarone gives you the right to stop off at the intermediate stop and gives free entry into the garden. If you don't want to venture too far from the lake, there's a nice beach near the station.
