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Italian lakes cycling

Cycling the Italian Lakes: From Como to Garda

7 days | Easy to Moderate
From $5,454 ()
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Lake Como has the villas and the drama. Lake Garda has the beaches and the wide-open southern light. Lake Iseo, sandwiched between the two, has truffle dogs, Franciacorta fizz, and a car-free island the size of a small town, and most people cycle straight past it. We don’t. Over seven days, we ride the full stretch of northern Italy’s lake country, from Como’s Belle Époque waterfront to Garda’s thermal peninsula at Sirmione, with Bergamo’s medieval hilltop thrown in for good measure. The stages are satisfying, the hotels are excellent, and the food is northern Italy at its most unapologetic.

Adventure Highlights

  • Como to Garda, all the way: Ride point-to-point across 3 lakes and Bergamo’s medieval hilltop, covering the full breadth of northern Italy’s lake country
  • The hidden lake: Spend 2 days on Iseo riding its shores, hunting truffles with trained dogs, and drinking Franciacorta on Monte Isola
  • Sirmione at the end: Roll into one of Italy’s most striking towns on the final push: a thermal castle town on a sliver of land jutting into Lake Garda
Duration
7 days
Season
April through June
Group size
Up to 15 people
Accommodation
Luxury: 4 and 5-star lakeside hotels
Difficulty
Easy to Moderate: Basic fitness required, covering 56-74 km (35-46 mi) per day with up to 600 m (1,969 ft) of elevation gain
What's included
Guides, lodging, luggage transfers, van support, most meals, and more

The adventure, day by day

Riding from Como to Garda is one of those ideas that sounds great on paper and turns out to be even better on a bike. We move through three lakes and Bergamo's medieval hilltop over five riding days, covering 314 km (195 mi) at a pace that leaves room for everything worth stopping for: truffle hunts with trained dogs on Iseo, Franciacorta wine in the vineyards that spill down to the water, thermal springs at Sirmione, a swim off a private Garda beach. A support van follows the route, luggage travels ahead, and the nights are spent at 4 and 5-star lakeside hotels. Nothing to think about except which lake looks best from the saddle. Let’s ride together!

Day 1: Arrival
Lago di Como Varenna

Arrive in Como and meet the group and guides in the afternoon. After a bike fitting and equipment check, we’ll sit down for a welcome dinner at a handpicked local restaurant, with the itinerary briefed and the week ahead mapped out. Como itself is worth a wander before or after: the waterfront, the cathedral, and the first views of the lake set the tone nicely.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Como

Day 2: Como to Lecco
Bellagio in Italy

We set off along the shore of Lake Como after breakfast, riding through lakeside villages with the water on one side and the Alps on the other. The route takes in Menaggio and Bellagio, with a stop at Villa Melzi’s gardens or a stroll through Villa Serbelloni’s park. Lunch is at a traditional trattoria, and we cross the lake by ferry to Varenna before the final push to Lecco, a compact town at the southeastern tip of the lake.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Lecco
Cycling: 60 km (37 mi)
Elevation: +600 m (+1,969 ft)

Day 3: Lecco to Iseo
lake Iseo Italy

From Lecco, we ride toward Bergamo, climbing into the historic Città Alta, the walled upper town perched above the plains with views that justify every meter of ascent. We explore the medieval streets and ancient landmarks before lunch in a local restaurant, then descend and continue through rolling countryside toward Lake Iseo. On arrival, there’s a choice: ferry across to Monte Isola, the largest inhabited lake island in Europe, or settle in for a Franciacorta wine tasting.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Iseo
Cycling: 74 km (46 mi)
Elevation: +300 m (+984 ft)

Day 4: Around Lake Iseo
Wine tasting in Italy

Today is a full loop of Lake Iseo, quieter and more intimate than its famous neighbours, where the roads are calm and the scenery rewards a relaxed pace. We stop for a photoshoot at one of the lake’s most scenic viewpoints, join a truffle hunt led by local experts and their trained dogs, and finish the afternoon with a wine and olive oil tasting. Dinner is with the lake in full view.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Iseo
Cycling: 62 km (39 mi)
Elevation: +155 m (+509 ft)

Day 5: Iseo to Desenzano del Garda
Garda panorama

We leave Lake Iseo and ride south toward Lake Garda, with a stop in Sirmione, a narrow peninsula famous for its thermal complex and the Scaliger Castle at its tip. From there we continue into Desenzano del Garda, one of the lake’s most lively towns. The evening ends with a farewell dinner overlooking the wide expanse of Garda.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Desenzano del Garda
Cycling: 56 km (35 mi)
Elevation: +340 m (+1,115 ft)

Day 6: Desenzano to Malcesine
Malcesine aerial shot

The final riding day follows the shores of Lake Garda north toward Malcesine, with a route choice between the western shore for more experienced riders or the gentler eastern side. We stop at a private beach for a swim and an Aperol spritz, with an optional ferry crossing to Limone sul Garda. The mountains drop straight into the water on both sides and the week ends exactly as it should.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotel in Malcesine
Cycling: 62 km (39 mi)
Elevation: +318 m (+1,043 ft)

Day 7: Departure
Sailboats on garda lake in italy

After a final breakfast at the hotel, we check out and say goodbye to the group, marking the end of this cycling adventure in Italy.

Meals: Breakfast

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Food

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Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, English-speaking cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 7-day Italian lakes cycling tour (5 days of riding)
      • Accommodation for 6 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels (double occupancy)
      • Most meals: 6 breakfasts and 6 dinners
      • Road bike or e-bike rental and helmet
      • Support van on all riding days
      • Luggage transfers between hotels
      • Truffle hunting experience & wine and olive oil tasting (Day 4)
      • Bike fitting and equipment check (Day 1)

    Add-ons:

      • Single occupancy room — please leave a note at checkout if interested

    Not included:

      • Flights or train tickets
      • Lunches
      • Cycling gear
      • Personal expenses
      • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
      • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
      • Guide gratuities — optional
  • This Italian lakes cycling tour is suitable for cyclists of all fitness levels. Each riding day covers between 56 and 74 km (35 and 46 mi) with a support van on the road throughout, so there’s always the option to hop in if needed.

    The biggest day in terms of elevation is the ride from Como to Lecco with 600 m (1,969 ft) of climbing, while the remaining stages are considerably gentler. If you can comfortably ride for 3 to 5 hours at a moderate pace, you’ll be well prepared. Both road bikes and e-bikes are available, making the tour accessible to a wide range of fitness levels.

    Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more bike tours in Italy here!

  • Clothing:

      • Cycling jersey or technical t-shirts
      • Cycling shorts or bib shorts
      • Cycling shoes (required for road bike riders)
      • Casual clothes and comfortable shoes for evenings
      • Light jacket or windbreaker for cooler mornings
      • Rain jacket
      • Socks, one pair per day or every two days (sport-specific, no cotton)
      • Sunhat or cap

    Gear:

      • Helmet (included with bike rental)
      • Small day bag or saddlebag for daily essentials
      • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
      • Sunglasses and sunscreen
      • Phone, charger, and power bank
      • Personal toiletries
      • Prescription medication with backup supply

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

    Got everything you need? Grab your gear through Active Junky and earn cash back on top outdoor brands — plus a $10 bonus on your first $25+ purchase. Shop now at Active Junky!

  • Group sizes and pricing

    • For this Italian lakes cycling tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
    • It takes a minimum of 5 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 15 participants.

    An Italian lakes cycling tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

    • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Italian lakes cycling tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The price for this Italian lakes cycling tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. Please leave a note at checkout if interested.

  • The starting point of your Italian lakes cycling tour is Como. To get there, most people fly into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Como.

    You will meet your guide in Como city centre on the afternoon of Day 1.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

    Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  • Deposits

    Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

    Basic

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

    Super Flexible

      • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
      • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
      • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
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