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Three Lakes Cycle Tour Italy
Lose yourself in a trio of pre-Alpine lakes on this cycling adventure that combines riding with breath-taking landscapes. Bask in unspoilt nature, charming villages and delicious food as you explore Maggiore, Como, and Iseo, and their mountainous surroundings.
- CategoryRoad Cycling
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration7 days
- Culture LevelAdventurous
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level2 - Moderate
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainAlpine
- Distance226.8 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance49.7 miles
Itinerary Details
- Day 1A warm welcome to Italy
Start your journey in Milan, then transfer to Lake Maggiore. Upon arrival, meet the staff for a tour introduction, relax with drinks, and enjoy your first dinner together. You'll spend the night in Meina.
- Dinner
- Day 2Arona - Druogno Santa Maria Maggiore
Depart from Arona, a charming Piedmontese town on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Cycle along the entire perimeter of the lake before tackling the ascent to Val Cannobina. From the lake, climb to Sella di Pian di Sale, which leads into Val Vigezzo, where the Cannobino stream carves deep gorges and creates breathtaking scenes as the valley widens the higher we go.
Val Cannobina, with its rugged mountains, alpine farmsteads, and pastures, feels like a journey back in time. This remote and nearly deserted valley is perfect for cycling. There's no need to worry about the climb, as the minibus is always nearby. Relax as you pedal through the stunning mountains of Val Vigezzo, with its lush green forests and inspiring scenery, earning it the name “Valley of Painters” for its historical allure to artists.
You'll continue the ride to reach the largest town in the valley, Santa Maria Maggiore, a historic village on a high plain just over 800 meters above sea level. Take some time to unwind before enjoying dinner together. Overnight in Santa Maria Maggiore.- 51 miles
- 3,608.9 ft
3,608.9 ft - Accommodation in Santa Maria Maggiore
- Day 3Druogno Santa Maria Maggiore - Laveno
Chow down a nourishing and tasty breakfast before taking on a long but gentle ride. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly being able to say you’ve cycled back and forth between Switzerland and Italy.
Having passed through Re, you pedal into Switzerland and head in the direction of the city of Locarno. Perfectly placed on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, it’s easy to lose yourself in the deep blues of the water and the clean air. The picturesque village of Tronzano provides you with a charming route back into Italy before you complete the last part of the ride to Laveno-Mombello. This town is known for its impressive marina, while the towering Monte Sasso del Farro always catches the eye. It can be reached by cable car where the views are astounding and a starting point for paragliding.
- 55.9 miles
- 1,476.4 ft
1,476.4 ft - Accommodation in Laveno Mombello
- Day 4Cernobbio - Domaso
After enjoying another excellent breakfast the team takes a speedy transfer to Lake Como before hopping on the bikes at Cernobbio, a well-known tourist resort bordered by lakes along the way to Argegno. This relaxed spell of riding will make you feel fresh enough for the tough but exhilarating ascent of Val d’Intelvi. Surrounding the summit of Monte Generoso is a kaleidoscope of greens in the unspoilt landscapes.
After this incredible ascent, it’s time to get the wind rushing behind you as you fly down back to the lakes and towards another tourist resort in Porlezza. Eventually, you will return to the shores of Lake Menaggio; back on flat ground, you can enjoy the last of the day’s ride along the beautiful lakeside.
- 46 miles
- 3,773 ft
3,773 ft - Accommodation in Domaso
- Day 5Dongo - Bellagio
Leaving behind Dongo, you pedal through Colico Piano accompanied by the presence of its lake and the accompanying ‘4 Montecchi’ – four small hills nearby. Today’s main highlight is the challenging ascent that will lead you from Bellagio to a sanctuary that is dedicated to the Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists. If you’re up to the challenge of going up to the sanctuary, your tour guide would be more than happy to take you. Otherwise, you can head straight to the centre of Bellagio where the riding concludes for the day in this splendid lakeside town.
- 31.7 miles
- 3,871.4 ft
3,871.4 ft - Accommodation in Bellagio
- Day 6Tour of Lake Iseo and Franciacorta
There is plenty packed in your last day of cycling, so breakfast is an early affair as you join the group for a transfer to Lake Iseo. There are plenty of small beaches to admire and roads dating back to 1910 that run next to the lake. It even cuts across two provinces in Brescia and Bergamo. Ride through roads that bend, pass through short tunnels carved out of rock, and spin by small waterfalls before reaching Castro.
Next, you'll head to Lovere, known for its vibrant alleys, historic churches, and charming squares. Following the lakeside route, you will arrive in Pisogne, where the medieval center and churches with frescoes by artists like Romanino await. You will then pass through Marone and Sale Marasino before reaching Sulzano.
In Sulzano, enjoy a delicious ice cream while taking in the views of Montisola, Europe's largest lake island. Montisola gained fame in 2016 for hosting Christo’s 'The Floating Piers,' a temporary footbridge that allowed visitors to walk across Lake Iseo, offering a unique and surreal experience.
From Sulzano, quickly cycle to your final destinations for the day, Iseo and Sarnico. Tonight you’ll feast at a restaurant with typical Italian fare.- 39.8 miles
- 2,460.6 ft
2,460.6 ft - Accommodation in Sarnico
- Day 7Wrapping up the trip of a lifetime
That time has come to wave goodbye. This morning you can enjoy one final breakfast with your new friends and the guides. Afterwards you’ll be taken back to Milan for your onward journey. While the tour may be over, the memories will last forever.