Cycling experience in the Italian and Swiss Lakes
This 7-day guided cycling experience showcases the region around the Italian and Swiss Lakes, offering undulating roads and climbs for intermediate and advansed cyclists, 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.
Find out more about the best tourist attractions around.
2025 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
challenge route 1,600 m
Others key topics below at the end of the page, so you can ensure you are getting a smooth and enjoyable experience.
2025 scheduled dates
Weeklong Tour Italian Swiss Lakes
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 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
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.
Each daily ride is usually a loop that offers two routes (a main route and a longer one). 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 a longer one (with more elevation gain), so you can take the shortcut or tackle the longer way.
In such a way there is the opportunity of splitting up, of meeting and regrouping before going back together to hotel for the post ride lunch in the afternoon.
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. 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.
You can see the CLIMBING SEGMENTS ON STRAVA in the Italian and Swiss Lake District on Google Maps.
Please note that all routes are subject to change depending on local conditions.
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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
Several rides start from Varese. Some of them:
- Around five lakes (100 km, 950 m) or (102 km, 1,265 m),
- Regional Park Monte Campo dei Fiori (45 km, 540 m) or (61 km, 1,205 m),
- Try the UCI Gran Fondo Tre Valli Varesine (98 km, 1,600 m),
- Lake Como and Valle Intelvi (110 km, 1,300 m),
- Lake Lugano up and down (103 km, 1,850 m) or (127 km, 2,250 m) - transfer service to Lake Lugano,
- Madonna del Ghisallo (120 km, 1,200 m).
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese
4 ~ Tuesday
Today we transfer by bike from Varese to Colmegna on Lake Maggiore through the Swiss region of Malcantone.
There are four rides to choose from:
- Route 1 - easy (59 km, 600 m),
- Route 2 – via Bedegliora, Astano (71 km, 1,050 m),
- Route 3 – via Aranno, Miglieglia (85 km, 1,350 m),
- Route 4 – via Bioggio, Cademario (91 km, 1,600 m).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
5 ~ Wednesday, & 6 ~ Thursday
Several rides which start from Colmegna. Some of them:
- Locarno, Ascona and Brissago vistas (81 km, 820 m) or (93 km, 1,128 m),
- Sant'Antonio, San Michele, Monte Sette Termini, Cuvignone (68 km, 1,540 m) or (90 km, 2,350 m),
- Val Veddasca, Alpe Neggia, Passo Forcora (56 km, 1,420 m) or (61 km, 1,665 m),
- Val Verzasca and Jump Bridge in Lavartezzo (115 km, 900 m),
- Loop around Northern Lake Maggiore (92 km, 520 m) or (120 km, 1,732 m),
- Centovalli and Val Canobbina (96 km, 1,105 m).
Accomodation: Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
7 ~ Friday
Today we say goodbye to Lake Maggiore and head to Varese again by bike via Lake Lugano along undulating roads overlooking the coast of the Italian-Swiss lake, while your luggage will be transfered to Varese.
There are three rides to choose from:
- Route 1 – no climbs (74 km, 400 m),
- Route 2 - via Collina d'Oro, Carona (94 km, 1,100 m),
- Route 3 – via Arogno, Collina d'Oro, Carona (103 km, 1,500 m).
Accomodation: Hotel Ungheria Varese
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 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 climbing.
You are comfortable on climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents.
Your confortable average speed on flat terrain is up to 20/25 km/hours (12/16 mi/hour).
Advanced 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 climbing.
You are comfortable on climbs (at your own pace) and have good bike handling skills on corners and descents.
Your confortable average speed on flat terrain is over 25 km/hours (16 mi/hour).
These rides are social, scenic, and recreational rides, not competitive, not a race against the clock, a good mix of cycling and enjoying the local scenery.
It’s okay to take breaks and to soak in the views. Think of it as a good balance of exercise and relaxation.
We'll make sure no one gets left behind so everyone sticks together and we'll always have a backup plan.
Expect lots of hills, rolling roads and flat roads along lakeside roads only.
Generally around here there are 5 -10 kms climbs on average, sometimes longer, 8% - 10% on average, fast descents and tricky corners often.
You should need to be good fit and you should be able to handle basic bike control, including descending, cornering and braking safely.
We usually will stick to quite roads and back roads avoiding as much as possible main roads and the cars.
The guide will give you the flexibility to ride at your own pace especially on the climbs, regrouping at the top.
We will plan to stop for coffee and cake in the morning if you fancy, and for lunch along the way. We're gonna bring our packed lunch.
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
