Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour

In Milan, you’ll be welcomed by your guide before freshening up at the hotel. Spend today getting your bike set up and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Ride from the Piedmontese town of Arona on the shores of Lake Maggiore this morning. You’ll ride along the entire perimeter of the lake and then get ready to face the Val Cannobina ascentNext is Sella di Pian di Sale, which leads to the Val Vigezzo where the Cannobino stream forms deep gorges. In Val Cannobi,na with its mountains, alpine farmsteads and pastures, you ride back in time.

Pedaling onwards, you’ll then reach the largest and most important town in the valley, Santa Maria Maggiore, a historic village situated on a high plain. Enjoy time to relax before dinner together.

After a tasty breakfast, gear up for a long but easy ride. After riding through Re, the last municipality of Val Vigezzo, you will enter Switzerland in the Canton Ticino heading for Borgnone, then continue down towards Losone to reach the city of Locarno, situated on the north shore of Lake Maggiore. After your visit to Switzerland, you will head back into Italy. Riding to Luino, you’ll continue along the lake for the last part of today’s ride to Laveno-Mombello. This important town on the eastern shore of the lake is well-known for its marina.

This evening, you can check out Monte Sasso del Ferro, the mountain above the town. It can be reached by cable car and has one of the best views of the lake.

After meeting for breakfast, you will leave by minibus to Lake Como. Hop on the bikes bound for Cernobbio, a renowned tourist resort on the western shore of the lake. Next, the Val d’Intelvi ascent is waiting for you with a view of the summit of Monte Generoso.

Leaving the mountains, head down to Porlezza, an important tourist resort on the shore of Lake Lugano. Continue downhill until you return to the western shore of Lake Como in Menaggio, which enjoys a superb view of the lake. Riding along the lake, you end your day’s ride in beautiful Dongo.

Begin today with a ride through the Colico Piano on the eastern shore of the lake to Varenna, where a ferry transfer takes you to Bellagio. Here, deal with the challenging ascent that leads to the sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists. If you feel up to the challenge, you can ride up to the sanctuary, otherwise you can reach your destination for the day a bit sooner: Bellagio, one of the most beautiful towns in the area.

After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Lake Iseo, where you will start the day’s ride in the beautiful Franciacorta. This pre-alpine lake with its characteristic “S” shape is in both the province of Brescia (east side) and Bergamo (west side). Pedaling clockwise, you will go through Predore and Riva di Solto. Reach a stretch of road from where you can admire the small beaches and old lakeside road (dating back to 1910!) that runs right next to the lake. With hairpin bends, short tunnels carved out of the rock, and a picturesque waterfall, it’s a scenic ride to Castro.

Carry on to Lovere, with its colorful alleys, ancient churches, and elegant squares. Stop in Sulzano for ice cream, admiring Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe. After Sulzano, you will pedal to Iseo and Sarnico, today’s endpoint.

After a delightful week, it’s time to continue onwards. Safe travels!