Gentle and slow cycling experience around Italian Lake District
We have designed a 7-day guided cycling tour around Lake Maggiore, Lugano and Varese mainly along cycle paths and back roads where you can avoid cycling any big hills and medium sized hills as well.
The Northern Italy's Lake District isn't flat. You might think that this is not the place for more leisurely rides or for gentle and slow cycling. However we can arrange a perfect blend of riding and relaxation for slower cyclists.
The rides are suitable for those who doesn't love to tackle climbs.
Look at the scheduled rides below (distances, elevations).
The Gentle Cycling Tour usually starts and ends on Saturday in Varese and it's based on two hotels. You will be staying a few days in Varese and a few days in Colmegna on Lake Maggiore. 7 nights and 6 days of cycling.
On day 4 we transfer from Varese to Colmegna by bike and on day 7 we transfer back from Colmegna to Varese by bike.
We'll take care of your luggage while you're off cycling on day 4 and on day 7.
Just leave it at reception in the morning when you set off, and it'll be waiting for you at the other hotel.
Varese is 25 km in a crow flies from Milan Malpensa Airport and can be reached in a 43-minute train ride every hour (no change). How to Get Here
Northern Italy's natural lakes are famous and admired all over the world, nestled between the Alps to the North and the flat lands of the Po Valley to the South, with breathtaking panoramas, ancient villages, and villas on each lake.
In the Northern area of the region the mountains fall steeply into the blue waters of the lakes. These lakes and their mountains have been natural and physical borders for thousands of years.
Today they continue to serve as borders among Lombardy (Italy), Piedmont (Italy) and Canton of Ticino (Italian speaking part of Switzerland).
There's so much diversity environmentally and culturally within this small area.
You can only truly grasp all there is to see by bike.
Easy cycle routes around Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Varese
The rides wind mainly on flat routes and on cycle routes away from the main roads. You'll take the back roads as soon as we can to avoid the traffic, anyway the drivers are quite aware and courteous of cyclist. They are pretty used to seeing cyclists and they give room. Just to be on the safe side, though, ride single file, especially when cars are about.
Sometime you've just gotta tackle a few little uphill bits, nothing too strenuous, mind. The whole bike tour has its tricky moments here and there, but the views of the lakes and mountains around is definitely worth the effort.
The cycling guide makes the daily rides good for the level of the slowest rider in the bunch. The guide makes sure the pace is comfortable for everyone and makes sure no one felt left behind.
The bike tour isn't just about pedalling, you know. It's a mix of exercise and sightseeing. You also have a chance to pop into some local places of interest, like some ancient villas, churches, hermitages gardens and whatnot.
Learn more about the best tourist attractions around.
One day you will go on Lake Lugano by service transfer. The Lake Lugano loop is a pretty easy-going ride, nice and flat, and it's almost entirely in Switzerland, partly on cycle path. You've got Monte Generoso and Monte Lema looming in the background,and the lakeside village of Morcote.
Another day, maybe twice, you will cross Lake Maggiore with the bike. The ride is entirely lakeside along several villages and towns on the Lake Maggiore, like Ascona and Locarno. On this route you can get a panoramic view of the upper part of Lake Maggiore.
2025 Gentle cycling tour prices per person in Euro
Start location:
Varese
End location:
Varese
Duration:
7 days, 7 nights, 6 days of cycling
Maximum limit:
8 riders
Minimum:
2 riders
Level of difficulty:
slower / recreational cyclists
Terrain:
flat, undulating with occasional small climbs
2025 scheduled dates
Gentle Cycling Tour
May 17th – 24th 2025
June 7th – 14th 2025
June 21st – 28th 2025
July 5th - 12th 2025
August 16th – 23rd 2025
August 30th – Sep 6th 2025
September 13st – 20th 2025
September 27th – Oct 4th 2025
Other dates are possible and we can create a departure for you.
Please contact us, so we will see how we can help you.
This tour requires a minimum of two riders to run.
Book with confidence with our flexible: Terms & Conditions .
Included in guided bike tour:
- 4 nights in double room in Varese & 3 nights in apartment room in Colmegna
- 7 High-calorie continental breakfasts
- 6 Packed lunches, strengthened and protein content snack with bananas and sandwiches
- 6 Post ride lunches when you go back to the hotel
- 6 Dinners (No on Sunday)
- Standard double occupancy
- A skilled bike guide
- Luggage transport when you move from the first hotel to the second hotel
- The use of the jacuzzi tub and the sauna at Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
- Any travel by ferry or train along the rides
- Info about the routes (on Google my Maps as well)
- Safe storage with CCTV for your bike at the hotel
- Workstand tool bench for basic maintenance
- Washing and cleaning area for bikes
- Daily laundry service for your cycle clothing
- Free Internet Wi-Fi
Not included:
- Bike hire
- 1 Dinner (on Sunday)
- Travel insurance
- Medical and physiotherapy services
- Transportaton to and from Varese
- Entrance fees Castles, Villas, Museums
- Any extra-beverage and other extras at dinner
Gentle Cycling Bike Tour
Details / Daily Routes
Expect small groups up to 8 riders with a guide leading the way on the road. The reason is to ensure the best riding. In such a way we can garantee you the best quality and attention. If there are more guests, it is better a split-up in two bunches during the daily rides.
We usually meet at the bikes at 8.00/8.30 in the morning, getting back to the hotel in the afternoon at 14.00/15.00, so you can enjoy a post ride lunch. The rest of the day is relax time.
When you’re riding you’ll always have at least one guide on the road with the bunch. There is no vehicle support during the ride.
The guide leads the way on the road giving you the flexibility to ride at your own pace, with regular re-group points and photo opportunities along the way.
A coffee stop, a stop for lunch and stops anywhere you need are suggested during the daily ride.
The programme gives you a good idea of what the cycling tour will be like, but we're flexible with the daily rides. We can adjust the distance, elevation and everything else to fit what the bunch wants.
Please take a look at others key topics below at the end of the page, so you can ensure you are getting a comfortable and enjoyable cycling holiday.
Learn more about the best tourist attractions around.
Can't find what are you looking for?
Please have a look at:
FAQS
If you have any specific questions or want advice for your next bike tour, feel free to message us.
We’d be happy to share our tips with you.
1 ~ Saturday - Arrival
Assembling your own bike or delivery of rental bike and pre-tour briefing.
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese
2 ~ Sunday, & 3 ~ Monday
We have selected three rides which start from Varese. You can choose from:
- Around Lake Varese (35 km, elevation gain 300 mt),
- Around Lake Lugano (52 km, elevation gain 120 mt),
- Lake Varese and Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (57 km, elevation gain 300 mt).
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese
4 ~ Tuesday
Today we transfer by bike from Varese to Colmegna on Lake Maggiore , while your luggage will be transfered to Colmegna.
You can choose from:
- Route 1 - via Brinzio and Ponte Tresa (42 km, elevation gain 350 mt),
- Route 2 – via Gavirate and Ghirla (57 km, elevation gain 450 mt).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
5 ~ Wednesday, & 6 ~ Thursday
We have selected several rides which start from Colmegna.
You can choose from them:
- Cannero, Ascona, Locarno (63 km, elevation gain 200 mt),
- Lake Maggiore on the inside: Laveno, Villa Della Porta Bozzolo (50 km, elevation gain 230 mt),
- Ponte Tresa, Lake Lugano, Marchirolo (40 km, elevation gain 550 mt),
- Piano Magadino, Bellinzona and Medieval Castels (80 km, elevation gain 200 mt).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
7 ~ Friday
Today we say goodbye to Lake Maggiore and head to Varese again by bike, while your luggage will be transfered to Varese. There are two rides to choose from:
- Route 1 – via Valtravaglia and Cuvio (40 km, elevation gain 400 mt),
- Route 2 - via Marchirolo and Bedero Valcuvia (46 km, elevation gain 500 mt).
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese
8 ~ Saturday - Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Key topics to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable cycling holiday.
Here you can make sure what the vibe is like and you can make sure the rides aligns with your expectations and that you have a safe and enjoyable experience.
These rides are suitable for slower cyclists / recreational cyclists.
Slower cyclists / recreational cyclists
Your typical number of weekly rides at home: 1 or 2
In your typical ride you’re comfortable doing up to 40-60 km (27-37 mi), flat, undulating with occasional small climbs.
Your confortable average speed over flat terrain is up to 15/20 km/hours (9/12 mi/hour).
You should have a decent level of fitness and be comfortable riding for a few hours at a gentle and a leisurely pace, not pushing the pace.
We'll take our time and make sure everyone feels comfortable and supported.
This is all about enjoying the ride at a more relaxed pace mostly on the flat, undulating or gently rolling terrain.
Basic bike handling skills are all that's needed. We'll keep the pace nice and easy, and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos.
We usually will stick to quite roads, back roads and cycle paths avoiding as much as possible main roads and the cars.
Sometimes you have to tackle (not every day) a few slight and short climbs never demanding.
Around here there are several taps and fountains to fill in the water bottle.
Assuming that a drop of rain is not a show stopper for any cyclist, we always want to prevent dangerous situations. Should the weather conditions cause a risk or simply be so lousy that any fun is out of sight, we will pospone the ride and will find a new solution.
Photographer: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Copyright: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Credit: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
