Cycling experience in the Italian and Swiss Lakes
This 7-day guided cycling experience showcases the region around the Italian and Swiss Lakes.
Perfect for intermediate and advanced riders who love climbing.
The tour usually starts and ends on Saturday in Varese.
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
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. You just leave it in the morning on day 4 and on day 7, and it's waiting for you at the other hotel.
We are locals and we have arranged a road bike tour to anyone looking to experience Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como and Varese through the road less travelled, rolling hills wooded valleys, narrow climbs, fast descends.
This is a flexible area offering you the opportunity to ride through back roads, to extend or shorten your cycling experience depending on your fitness level.
Thanks to the vastness and diversity of the Lake District between Italy and Switzerland, you will easily ride along the banks of the lakes, or you will toil to climb the valleys of our region.
There are loops you can ride, allowing you to go back to hotel in the afternoon for the post ride lunch.
Cycling experience around Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Varese
Nestled in Lombardy, close to Piedmont and Switzerland, at the foothills of the Italian and Swiss Pre-Alps, our two hotels in Varese and in Colmegna on the shores of Lake Maggiore provide the perfect launchpad from which to explore the best lakeside riding and and the mountainous roads in between.
The area around the upper part of Lake Maggiore is gorgeous for cycling. The roads? A mix of everything. You've got your flatter stretches along the lake, perfect for spinning along at a good pace. Then, when you fancy a challenge, you can head up inside into the hills. Some of these climbs are tough. We suggest to avoid the lower part of Lake Maggiore. The Stresa, Baveno, and Borromean Islands area is congested with both traffic and people.
Then there's Lake Lugano. Smaller than Maggiore, but perhaps more beautiful. Often it's a bit quieter on the roads, which is always a bonus. It's tucked away amongst the mountains, at the foothills of the Italian and Swiss Pre-Alps. The roads around Lugano are more twisty, which makes for some fun riding. Again, you can takle those killer climbs if you're feeling adventurous.
Varese ? That's a whole other story. It's a bit more inland, but still close enough to be easily accessible to Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Lake Como as well. Varese itself is hilly, and the surrounding area is good for road cycling expecially toward North. Rolling hills, quiet roads, and some demanding climbs. It's a proper cycling hub, actually. You see loads of cyclists out and about.
The roads around Varese are great for cycling – not much heavy traffic. Anyway we'll be taking the back roads as soon as we can to avoid the traffic. The drivers are pretty used to seeing cyclists. Just to be on the safe side, though, ride single file, not side by side, especially when cars are about.
The region is a popular training ground for Australian cyclists living in Europe.
The AIS European Training Centre is located in Gavirate along the shores of Lake Varese.
2026 Weeklong road bike 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:
intermediate and advanced
Terrain:
Mostly undulating, rolling hills, gentle climbs, sometimes challenging climbs
challenge route 94 km - 58 mi
challenge route 1,600 m - 5,250 ft of climbing
Others key topics below at the end of the page, so you can ensure you are getting a smooth and enjoyable experience.
2026 scheduled dates
Weeklong Tour Italian Swiss Lakes
August 22nd – 29rd 2026
August 29th – Sep 5th 2026
September 5th – 12th 2026
September 26th – Oct 3rd 2026
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 in 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 one hotel to another
- 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
Weeklong Road Bike Tour
Details / Daily Routes
You can get our exclusive links to Cycling Routes Selection Map for highlighting your daily rides.
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.
We all together leave, as a team, with our packed lunch. A coffee stop, stops for lunch along the way and for regrouping are suggested during the daily ride.
Main route and extended route.
Typically the daily ride follows a loop design, offering a dual option (a main route and a B-side option), allowing you to choose your difficulty on the fly.
The two routes are the same on the first part and on the last one of the daily ride. Instead the middle part offers a main route (easier) and an extended (longer/more elevation) route. So you can take the shortcut or tackle the longer/more extended way. In such a way there is the opportunity of splitting up, meeting and regrouping before going back together to hotel for the post ride lunch in the afternoon.
Basically the tour is for intermediate / enthusiast cyclists, but you can tackle tougher rides if you are comfortable and if you are an advanced cyclist.
When you’re riding you’ll always have at least one guide on the road with the bunch.
The guide leads the way on the road giving you the flexibility to ride at your own pace expecially along the climbs, regrouping at the top. The pace is respected, and the group structure is designed so the slowest rider never feels like a burden. There is no vehicle support during the ride.
The programme suggests the structure for the bike tour, however the bunch will collaboratively decide on the daily riding arrangements, including distance, elevation and pace.
Please take a look at others key topics below at the end of the page, so you can ensure you are getting a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Learn more about the climbs in the Italian and Swiss Lake District on Google Maps.
Sometime you have to tackle technical descents. They are taken at your own pace. There is zero pressure to climb down. Safety first, always.
Please note that all routes are subject to change depending on local conditions.
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. It's a family-run hotel.
2 ~ Sunday, & 3 ~ Monday
Several rides start from Varese.
Typically the daily ride offers a dual option: a main route and an extended route (longer/more elevation).
- Campo dei Fiori (45 km - 28 mi; 540 m - 1,770 ft) or (61 km - 38 mi; 1,200 m - 3,940 ft),
- Lake Maggiore in the inside (73 km - 45 mi; 850 m – 2,780 ft) or (74 km - 46 mi; 950 m - 3,120 ft),
- Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano (97 km - 60 mi; 950 m – 3,120 ft) or (99 km - 62 mi; 1,260 m - 4,130 ft),
- Lake Como (81 km - 50 mi; 650 m – 2,130 ft) or (117 km - 73 mi; 1,470 m – 4,820 ft),
- Sant'Antonio and San Michele (61 km - 38 mi; 1,200 m – 3,940 ft) or (75 km - 47 mi; 1,750 m – 5,740 ft),
- Lake Lugano easy (84 km - 52 mi; 500 m - 1,640 ft) or (88 km - 55 mi; 700 m – 2,300 ft),
- Lake Lugano up and down (113 km - 70 mi; 1,500 m – 4,920 ft) or (135 km - 84 mi; 2,250 m – 7,380 ft),
- Try the UCI GranFondo Tre Valli Varesine (84 km - 52 mi; 1,200 m – 3,940 ft) or (98 km - 61 mi; 1,600 m – 5,250 ft) .
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese. It's a family-run hotel.
4 ~ Tuesday
Today we transfer by bike from Varese to Colmegna on Lake Maggiore through the Swiss region of Malcantone.
We will descend toward Lake Varese, then we will pass through the village of Ponte Tresa on Lake Lugano and the Swiss region of Malcantone.
There are five rides to choose from:
- route 1 - easy (59 km - 37 mi; 600 m - 1,970 ft),
- route 2 – via Alpe Tedesco, Brusimpiano (70 km - 43 mi; 900 m – 2,950 ft),
- route 3 – via Bedegliora, Astano (71 km - 44 mi; 1,050 m - 3,440 ft),
- route 4 – via Aranno, Miglieglia (84 km - 53 mi; 1,350 m - 4,430 ft),
- route 5 – via Bioggio, Cademario (91 km - 57 mi; 1,600 m - 5,250 ft).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna. It's a family-run hotel.
5 ~ Wednesday, & 6 ~ Thursday
Several rides which start from Colmegna.
Typically the daily ride offers a dual option: a main route and an extended route (longer/more elevation).
- Locarno, Ascona and Brissago vistas (76 km - 47 mi; 500 m - ft 1,640) or (86 km - 53 mi; 800 m – 2,620 ft),
- Malcantone, Miglieglia, Astano (55 km -34 mi; 800 m – 2,620 ft) or (62 km – 39 mi; 1,150 m – 3,372 ft),
- Lake Lugano loop, Ardena (96 km - 60 mi; 896 m – 2,940 ft) or (112 km – 70mi; 1.381 m – 4,530 ft),
- Try the UCI Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine (80 km - 50 mi; 1,550 m – 5,085 ft),
- Sant'Antonio, San Michele, Monte Sette Termini (66 km - 42 mi; 1,540 m - 5,050 ft) or (90 km - 56 mi; 2,350 m - 7,700 ft),
- Val Veddasca, Alpe Neggia (56 km - 35 mi; 1,420 m - 4.660 ft) or (60 km - 38 mi; 1,665 m - 5,460 ft),
- Lake Maggiore, Laveno, Arcumeggia (52 km – 32 mi; 650 m – 2,130 ft),
- Northern Lake Maggiore loop (96 km - 57 mi; 520 m - 1,700 ft),
- Valle Canobbina, Centovalli (104 km - 60 mi; 1,105 m - 3.625 ft),
- Val Verzasca - Jump Bridge – Sonogno (108 km - 67 mi; 880 m – 2,890 ft),
- Contra – Mergoscia (76 km - 47 mi; 600 m - 1,970 ft),
- Valle Maggia (125 km – 78 mi; 500 m – 1,640 ft),
- Monti Motti (84 km - 52 mi; 950 m - 3,120 ft),
- Monte Bré (90 km - 56 mi; 1,150 m - 3,770 ft).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna. It's a family-run hotel.
7 ~ Friday
Today we say goodbye to Lake Maggiore and head to Varese again by bike via Lake Lugano along undulating roads overlocircleing the coast of the Italian-Swiss lake, while your luggage will be transfered to Varese.
There are three rides to choose from:
- route 6 – no climbs (74 km - 46 mi; 400 m - 1,300 ft),
- route 7 - via Collina d'Oro, (78 km - 48 mi; 700 m – 2,300 ft),
- route 8 - via Collina d'Oro, Arogno (87 km – 54 mi; 1,015 m - 3,330 ft),
- route 9 – via Collina d'Oro, Carona, Arogno (103 km - 64 mi; 1,500 m - 4,920 ft).
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese. It's a family-run hotel.
8 ~ Saturday - Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Key topics to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
It is all about making sure we are on the same wavelength and have a cracking rides!
These rides are suitable for intermediate and advanced riders.
Intermediate / enthusiast cyclists
Your typical number of weekly rides at home: 2 or 3
On a typical ride you’re comfortable doing up to 80-100 km (50-62 mi) with up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of elevation gain.
You are comfortable on a few daily climbs with average grades up to 6–10% (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents.
Steady, brisk pace.
You should be prepared to be in the saddle for at least four hours a day and to enjoy a few challenge.
Advanced / challenging cyclists
Your typical number of weekly rides at home: 3 or 4
On a typical ride you’re comfortable doing over 100 km (62 mi) with over 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of elevation gain.
You are comfortable on more climbs with average grades up to 6–10% (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents.
Fast, sustained pace.
You should be prepared to be in the saddle for several hours a day.
Our riding philosophy: experience over speed
Our tours are designed to be social, scenic, and recreational. This is not a race against the clock, but a perfect blend of cycling and soaking in the stunning local scenery.
- No One Left Behind: We prioritize the group dynamic. We stick together, ensure a supportive pace, and always have a backup plan ready.
- Balance: We believe in a healthy balance of exercise and relaxation. Taking breaks to enjoy the views isn't just allowed—it's encouraged!
Life on the road: routes & refreshments
We take care of the details so you can focus on the ride:
- The Best Roads: We avoid main roads and traffic as much as possible, sticking to quiet backroads and hidden lanes.
- Ride at Your Own Pace: On climbs, you are free to find your own rhythm. The guide provides total flexibility, and the group always regroups at the top.
- Coffee & Lunch: If you’re in the mood, we’ll plan a morning stop for coffee and cake. For lunch, we’ll enjoy our packed lunches at a scenic spot along the way.
- Hydration: No need to worry about water; the region is full of local taps and fountains where we can refill our bottles.
Weather & safety
Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities:
- Rain Policy: While a few drops of rain won't stop a true cyclist, we never compromise on safety.
- Flexibility: If the weather conditions become risky or simply "too lousy" to have any fun, we will postpone the ride and find a new solution together.
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Photographer: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Copyright: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Credit: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
