Arrive into either Milan airport and we will pick you up and take you to Lake Como. Spend what you have left of the day meandering Bellagio, the town where you’ll be based. Looking out onto the vibrant blue waters of Lake Como, and made up of colourful, quaint buildings, Bellagio is well worth a venture before the cycling begins tomorrow.
Saddle up for a legendary climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo, named after the chapel at the top. Inside the chapel, a flame serves as a reminder for cyclist’s who have departed, and the walls are adorned with champions’ donated jerseys and bikes. This includes Fabio Casartelli’s bike, which is still distorted from his crash in the 1995 Tour de France. After tackling the difficult 10.6km climb, you can the take a stab at the Colma di Sormano climb before descending along the lake back to your hotel.
Don’t forget your passport for this route! You’ll be crossing the border into Switzerland around halfway, into the picturesque town of Lugano, which sits on the banks of Lake Lugano. Before that, a ferry will take you across Lake Como to the Western side, where you can follow the lake South. Once you reach Argegno, the 20km climb of the day begins, taking you right up to the Italy-Swiss border in Lanzo d’Intelvi. After exploring Switzerland, head back to Lake Como by cycling next to the gorgeous Lake Lugano.
Named after the abundance of places to try the local mountain cheeses en route, today you will experience a scenic ride into the Valley of Cheese. You’ll be riding on mainly the bike path into the mountains surrounding Lake Como, with panoramic views and picturesque villages. Hop on the ferry that takes you across Lake Como and into your climb of the day, Colle di Balisio. Make sure to stop for a snack at the Alva market, then ride back to your hotel right beside the lake’s water. Say goodbye to Lake Como this afternoon and fly home, or choose to extend your trip.
Cycling in and around Lake Como is a real treat, simply because there is not an ounce of scenery that isn’t picture perfect. Shaped like an upside down Y, Lake Como extends into three directions that are all equally beautiful. However, the best base for hitting the saddle is in Bellagio, where you can be in the middle of the lake near everything, including the famous Madonna del Ghissalo climb and Switzerland. There is no shortage of climbs surrounding Lake Como, many of which boast stunning views over the lake, and involve some epic switchbacks. Because Switzerland is merely a hop and a climb across the lake, you can even spend a day cycling there and back, with a couple hours exploring the Swiss town of Lugano in between.
