We run a weeklong self guided bike tour that starts and ends in Varese and it's based on two hotels.
If you fancy the freedom and the flexibility of a self bike tour you can get 7-night accommodation half board, luggage transport when you transfer from one hotel to another (Hotel Ungheria and Colmegna on Lake Maggiore), navigation info (maps, description, gpx files).
On day 3 or 4 you have to transfer from Varese to Colmegna by bike and on day 6 or 7 you have to transfer back from Colmegna to Varese by bike.
Your luggage will be transferred for you by the hotels.
Please see below the plan and what is included in the self bike tour.
A self guided tour has the same cycling opportunities (locations, logistics and routes planning) as the:
guided cycling esperience for intermediate/advanced cyclists, or
guided gentle cycling tour for slower/recreational cyclists,
but without the lunches, the post ride lunchs, the daily laundry service, the bicycle recovery assistance in case of breakdown and the travels by ferry or train During the rides.
The only difference betweeen a self guided tour and a guided tour is:
- you have to do the navigation on your own,
- the lunches, the post ride lunchs, the daily laundry service, the bicycle recovery assistance in case of breakdown and the travels by ferry or train during the rides are non included.
route information
Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Varese
We provide detailed itineraries with route information and our recommendations for places to see along the route.
We have put together a selection of daily routes around Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Varese (distance, description, climbs and elevation gain) suit to:
- slower /recreational cyclists, up to 40-60 km (27-37 mi), flat, undulating with occasional small climbs,
- intermediate cyclists, up to 80-100 km (50-62 mi) with up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of climbing,
- advanced cyclists, over 100 km (62 mi) with over 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of climbing.
On arrival we’ll give you all the maps and navigation information you need to follow the route each day.
We have drawn each route on Google My Maps, so that you can select and study it alternately without App, without signing up and logging in.
Self guided road bike tour
gpx - Strava
Here you are an example on Google My Maps we made for a guest of ours.
Obviously you can get:
- GPX files which contain the tracks you can upload onto your gps device,
- climbing segments on Strava (100+) in the area of the Italian and Swiss Lake District.
We also suggest to use App GpxViewer (app on Google Play or Apple Store), so you can upload the gpx files and see the routes inside.
You can select and study the routes alternately.
Here you are an example on App GpxViewer.
Here you are bike rides on your own.
7-day self guided road bike tour – 2025 dates & prices per person
Start location:
Varese
End location:
Varese
Duration:
7 days, 7 nights, 6 days of cycling
7-day self guided road bike tour - 2025 details
You can choose these dates for organizational reasons.
Check in on Saturday (Varese) - check out on Saturday (Varese)
- Saturday: check in at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Sunday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Monday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Tuesday: transfer by bike to Colmegna – stay at Relais Villa Porta on Lake Maggiore,
- Wednesday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Thursday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Friday: transfer by bike to Varese – stay at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Saturday: check out at Hotel Ungheria – Varese.
Check in on Sunday (Varese) - check out on Sunday (Varese)
- Sunday: check in at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Monday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Tuesday: transfer by bike to Colmegna – stay at Relais Villa Porta on Lake Maggiore,
- Wednesday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta ,
- Thursday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Friday: transfer by bike to Varese – stay at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Saturday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Sunday: check out at Hotel Ungheria – Varese.
Book with confidence with our flexible: Terms & Conditions .
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Please have a look at:
FAQS
Included in self guided tour:
- 4 Nights in double room in Varese & 3 nights in apartment room in Colmegna
- 7 High-calorie continental breakfasts
- 6 Dinners
- Standard double occupancy
- 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
- Navigation information (maps, description, gpx files)
- Safe storage with CCTV for your bike at the hotel
- Workstand tool bench for basic maintenance
- Washing and cleaning area for bikes
- Free Internet Wi-Fi
Not included:
- Bike hire
- Packed lunches, strengthened and protein content snack with bananas and sandwiches
- Post ride lunches when you go back to the hotel
- 1 Dinner (on Sunday)
- A skilled bike guide
- Any travel by ferry or train along the rides
- Daily laundry service for your cycle clothing
- Bicycle recovery assistance in case of breakdown
- Travel insurance
- Medical and physiotherapy services
- Transportaton to and from Varese
- Entrance fees Castles, Villas, Museums
- Any extra-beverage and other extras at dinner
The pros of a self guide tour
First off, it's just so much more flexible. You can set your own pace, stop whenever you fancy, and linger at those stunning viewpoints for as long as you like. No pressure to keep up with the group or stick to a rigid schedule.
So self-guided cycling tours are basically awesome. You're the boss: No rigid schedules or having to stick to someone else's pace. You wanna stop for a snack? Go for it! Fancy a detour to that quirky little village you spotted on the map? You're in charge!
And let's be honest, half the fun is in the discovery. Figuring out the route, navigating the backroads, stopping for a coffee at a local cafe. That's all part of the experience. Plus, you get to choose the kind of riding you want to do. One day it might be a challenging mountain climb, the next a leisurely ride along a scenic river.
Then there's the freedom. You don't have to rely on anyone else.
And these days, with all the cycling apps and GPS devices available, it's easier than ever to navigate and stay on track.
So yeah, self-guided cycling holidays offer the perfect blend of adventure, freedom, and the joy of exploring at your own pace.
Photographer: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Copyright: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Credit: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
