Cycle through the to-die-for Italian Alps
The Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour is a special cycling tour that leads you around the largest and most beautiful pre-alpine lakes in the Italian Alps, including Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Iseo. Cruise around these splendid Italian lakes with their postcard-worthy scenery, but also takes in the lush hills and valleys that lie well off the beaten tourist track.
Cycle routes that wind through places where nature is still unspoiled, where history seems to stand still, and where peace and tranquillity reign. From tiny villages to impressive mansions, this region and the lakes offer you splendid landscapes. The final stop on the tour will be Montisola on Lake Iseo, recently the setting for “The Floating Piers” by the artist Christo. Your accommodation will be carefully chosen, and together with excellent dinners made from local products, will complement your road bike tour perfectly. This is a dream waiting to be realized.
Highlights of the Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour
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Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Meeting in Milan
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Meina
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Ride Lake Maggiore to Santa Maria Maggiore
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Druogno
Distance: 82km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Lake Maggiore North and East Shore
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Laveno
Distance: 90km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Lake Como and Rides to Domaso
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Domaso
Distance: 64km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Ride to Bellagio
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bellagio
Distance: 67km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6 Tour of Lake Iseo, Montisola and Franciacorta
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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bergamo
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Departure
After a delightful week, it’s time to continue onwards. Safe travels!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour is always run as a group tour where you’d be joining a group, however, custom private tours can be organized for groups of 4 and more. Please contact us with your preferred date and the number of people in your group and we will create the itinerary just for you.
Prices below are per person:
Accommodation on the Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of $395 USD to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Villa Paradiso-Meina ★★★★
This 19th-century villa is right across from Lake Maggiore. Enjoy well-equipped rooms and wonderful hospitality while you stay here.
Hotel Stella Alpina- Druogno ★★★★★
With super comfortable rooms and an excellent breakfast, this hotel is the perfect spot to rest after your first day of riding.
Locanda Pozzetto Hotel ★★★★★
Tucked onto a wooded hillside with amazing lake views, Locanda Pozzetto is a down-to-earth hotel that used to be a local farmhouse.
Hotel Vischi ★★★★★
After a few days of riding, relaxing in the pool here will feel perfect. You’re only 2km from Lake Como in this relaxed hotel.
Hotel Silvio ★★★★
With a dinner patio that overlooks Lake Como, Hotel Silvio has location going for it. Run by the same family for years, the hospitality here is on another level.
Cocca Hotel ★★★★
This hotel has a contemporary feel, and the spa onsite is ideal after a week of riding. Take advantage of lovely rooms and top-notch service.
What’s Included on the Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts and 6 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
All required minibus transfers are included, and the minibus will be available to you throughout the tour should you need a break. Required ferry transfers are also included.
Also Included
- Minibus assistance
- Taxes
- Technical bike guide and assistance
- Technical bike shirt
Not included
- Tips
- Laundry
- Drinks at dinner
- Medical insurance
- Lunches
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Bike rental:
- Road bike
- E-road bike
Frequently Asked Questions about Lakes of the Italian Alps by Bike Tour
Specializing exploring Italy by bike, Road Bike Tours Italy operates with an attention to detail that allows each tour to capture the wishes of the traveller. Their bikes are meticulously maintained and their team strives for total customer satisfaction.
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