This 7-day cycling holiday in northern Italy connects three of the country’s most beautiful pre-alpine lakes: Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Iseo. We ride quiet lakeside roads and mountain valley climbs, cross briefly into Switzerland, and tackle legendary ascents, including the Madonna del Ghisallo, patron saint of cyclists. A support minibus follows all week, handling luggage and keeping things stress-free, while 4-star hotels and included dinners make sure the evenings are just as good as the rides.
You’ll meet the guides at Milan Airport and transfer north to Meina, a small lakeside town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore. After settling into our hotel, we gather for a welcome drink and an introduction to the week: bikes, routes, and what’s ahead. Dinner that evening is our first together, and a proper start to the trip.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Meina, Lake Maggiore
Meals: Dinner
We set off from Arona on the southern shore of Lake Maggiore and ride the full perimeter of the lake before heading into the mountains. The Val Cannobina is a wild, nearly deserted valley of alpine farmsteads, deep gorges, and mountain streams, perfect cycling country, and the support van is always within reach. We climb through Sella di Pian di Sale into Val Vigezzo, nicknamed the Valley of Painters for the landscape artists who sought inspiration here. The day ends in the historic hilltop village of Santa Maria Maggiore, at just over 800 m above sea level.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Santa Maria Maggiore
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 82 km (51 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,100 m (3,608 ft)
After breakfast, we roll through Re, the last Italian village before the border, and cross into Switzerland and the Canton Ticino. We follow the road down to Locarno, a sun-drenched Swiss city on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, before looping back into Italy through the charming village of Tronzano. Continuing south along the eastern lakeshore through Luino, we finish at Laveno-Mombello, a busy marina town where Monte Sasso del Ferro rises above the waterfront and a cable car climbs to one of the best viewpoints on the lake.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Laveno-Mombello
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 90 km (55 mi)
Elevation gain: 450 m (1,476 ft)
We transfer by minibus to Lake Como, Italy’s deepest lake, and clip back in at Cernobbio on the western shore. The route climbs into Val d’Intelvi, a quiet mountain valley near the Swiss border that peaks at San Fedele before descending to Porlezza on Lake Lugano. We return to Lake Como at Menaggio, where the water opens up on both sides, then continue north along the waterfront through Dongo, finishing the day’s ride in Domaso.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Domaso
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 74 km (46 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,150 m (3,772 ft)
We follow Lake Como’s eastern shore from Dongo to Varenna, where a short ferry crossing brings us to Bellagio, the gorgeous town perched where the lake’s two arms split. From there, we tackle the day’s centrepiece: the climb to the sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo, patron saint of cyclists and a legendary ascent on the Tour of Lombardy circuit. Those who prefer can take the direct road to Malgrate, our finish for the day either way, but for anyone who’s come this far, the Ghisallo is worth every metre.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Malgrate, Lake Como
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 51 km (31 mi)
Elevation gain: 1,180 m (3,871 ft)
We transfer to Lake Iseo for the final day of riding, starting in the Franciacorta, one of Italy’s finest sparkling wine regions. The route loops clockwise around the lake through Predore, Riva di Solto, and the colorful alleyways of Lovere, before reaching Pisogne with its medieval churches decorated with frescoes by Renaissance master Romanino. In Sulzano we stop for gelato with a view of Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe and the site of Christo’s iconic 2016 installation The Floating Piers. We finish the ride in Sarnico, with dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Sarnico, Lake Iseo
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Cycling: 64 km (40 mi)
Elevation gain: 750 m (2,460 ft)
After a final breakfast together, we transfer back to Milan, marking the end of our amazing cycling adventure in Italy.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
To join this cycling holiday in northern Italy, good fitness is required. Expect riding up to 90 km (56 mi) per day with up to 1,180 m (3,871 ft) of elevation gain on some stages. Most days involve a mix of lakeside riding and mountain valley climbs on quiet roads.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Italy bike tours here!
On this tour, you can rent an entry-level carbon frame road bike; a high-end road bike; and an e-bike.
If you’re interested in any of these options, please leave us a note at checkout or contact us before the tour starts.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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.
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Group sizes and pricing
Cycling holidays in northern Italy can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for these cycling holidays in northern Italy 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 cycling holidays in northern Italy is Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP). From there, you’ll meet the guides and they’ll transfer you to Meina, a small lakeside town on the western shore of Lake Maggiore.
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.