April, 05 2023 ( Updated September, 03 2024)
Cycling around the Swiss and Italian lakes is one of the best ways to breathe, experience and completely soak in these areas' unparalleled geography and natural beauty. From super easy and family-friendly tracks to the more challenging pro trails, the bigger Swiss and Italian Lakes (Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, and Lake Garda) offers cyclists of all abilities some stunning routes to enjoy during spring and summer.
So read on and discover a range of Italian and Swiss lakes cycling tour itineraries to enjoy solo or with family and friends!
The dramatic pre-alpine scenery of Lake Lugano is an alluring avenue for all cyclists. Winding through vineyards, valleys and panoramic roads, the Lugano area alone has an impressive 300 km (about 186.41 mi) cycling network. Some of the best-known routes are around Monte Arbostora, Monte Sighignola, Monte Brè and around the flat area of Lake Lugano.
Called the Balcone d’Italia for its far-reaching views that can even reach Monte Rosa on a clear day, the cycling route on Sighignola is quite challenging but worth it for its unparalleled views. There are 2 routes that you can take to reach the summit: the 16 km (about 9.94 mi) Maroggia route and the longer, 20 km (about 12.43 mi) route via Osteno and San Fedele.
A breathtaking panorama of Lake Lugano and the Alps from Balcone d’Italia
A relatively challenging route, this path is famously called “Penudria” by the locals because of its sheer difficulty. The route involves some 20 hairpin bends on a 3.3 km route with gradients (slopes) up to 20%, and courses between Gravesano and Arosio.
This intermediate 26 km (about 16.16 mi) long trail starts from the prettiest village in Switzerland known as Morcote. The trail starts from Morcote, climbs Monte Arbostora and goes through a magical beech forest, the Parco Belvedere, and Melide.
The lakeside village of Morcote, also considered one of the prettiest Swiss villages
This is a completely flat loop route which is 50 km (about 31.07 mi) long and takes you through Porto Ceresio, Brusimpiano, Lavena Ponte Tresa, Caslano’s back roads and then through some of the most suggestive villages around the lake namely: Agno, Morcote, Melide, Bissone, Capolago, Riva San Vitale and Brusino.
Tip: Do not miss the famous SwissMiniatur on your trail if you are passing through the Melide causeway for the first time!
Find convenient holiday homes around Lake Lugano for carefree cycling tours.
The second largest lake in Italy has a considerable portion of it in Switzerland, where it touches the lovely towns of Locarno and Ascona. In the Italian part though, it's Stresa that offers a beautiful road cycling Italian lakes experience and attractions. However, the area allows one to easily run into the wilderness and be one with nature too.
This is a 27 km (about 16.78 mi) route to cross Locarno and Ascona and reach the capital of Ticino called Bellinzona, famous for its three UNESCO-protected historic castles. The route starts from the promenade of Ascona, along the shores of Lake Maggiore till Locarno, then passes the lido and the shore of Tenero, across the Magadino Plain before reaching Bellinzona.
The vibrant town of Locarno on Lake Maggiore’s shores
Including the picturesque Brissago Islands in the itinerary, this loop route is 20 km (about 12.43 mi) long and has a slope of 428m (about 1404.2 ft). The route starts from the atmospheric town of Ascona, moves towards Brissago, then climbs to Madonna del Sacromonte, then to Ronco till Arcegno, Losone and back to Ascona.
If you want to cover two lakes on your cycling route, then this 10.5 km (about 6.52 mi)-long trail is perfect. Starting from the lakeside town of Locarno on Lake Maggiore, the route moves from this vibrant town and takes you to the typically Ticinese architecture of Brè near Lugano.
A dreamy aerial view of Monte Brè
Tip: If you plan your trip during spring, then do not miss out on the magical, blossoming gardens of Lake Maggiore.
Find convenient holiday homes around Lake Maggiore for carefree cycling tours.
The most famous Italian lake, Lake Como, offers you some of the most unique pathways and routes to chart on your cycling tour. But since the lake is super famous can you bike around Lake Como Italy without running into the crowds? The answer is yes. As you cycle through the various characteristic Lake Como villages, mountains and roads, you will come across ornate villas, churches, gardens, and unparalleled panoramas on the more famous routes, but there are also solitude-filled routes to enjoy.
Lovely springtime in Bellagio, Lake Como
Lake Como not only offers attractive routes but also routes that you can cover at leisure and alter according to your comfort.
Going along the suggestive lakeshore of Lake Como, you can reach Villa Balbianello, the world-renowned 19th Century lakeside structure where many movie scenes have been filmed. Depending on your location on the lake, one can also ride to Colico’s Piona Abbey at the foot of Monte Legnone and enjoy the famous liqueurs prepared by the monks of the abbey.
Tip: Set a day aside to explore the towns of Lake Como on foot with its suggestive panoramic Greenway route.
Can you bike around Lake Como town? Again, yes! The famous cycling route to the Shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of cyclists, starts from the beautiful Lake Como village, Bellagio! The route is a 500m (about 1640.42 ft) altitude climb, 10.6km (about 6.59 mi) long and takes you through a part of the Giro di Lombardia route: starting from the south of Bellagio, it goes to the shrine that houses cycling memorabilia from famous races!
The shrine of Madonna del Ghisallo, patroness of travellers and cyclists
The hillside of Lecco offers unbeatable panoramas, however, cycling through it may not be all that easy. The Lecco trail is a medium-level loop route of about 14 km (about 8.7 mi) and a slope of 400m (about 1312.34 ft). It can start from Lecco’s stadium and roughly covers the route through Olate, Hamlet of Bonacina, Chiesa della Madonna di Lourdes, Ballabio, River Bione, Madonnina, and Neguggio before ending in Lecco.
This route takes you along the ridge dividing Lake Como into two and is for those with a high fitness level. The trail is 38km (about 23.61 mi) long, with slopes of 1470m (about 4822.83 ft) and rewards you with such beautiful views of Bellagio that you won’t find anywhere else. The route starts from the cable railway station and roughly covers zones of Monte Boletto, south of Como, Brunate, San Pietro Cabin, and Monte San Primo.
Find convenient holiday homes in Lake Como for carefree cycling tours.
Lake Garda is a beautiful mix of lush mountains, colourful lakeside towns like Riva del Garda, Sirmione and Salò, natural monuments and is a hub for enjoying various sports, especially in the Trentino-Alto-Adige region. The lake area offers varied routes suited to mountain bikes, racing bikes and even fat bikes and is perfect for families too.
The colourful Riva del Garda on the northern shore of Lake Garda
Opened to the public in 2018, this wooden boardwalk path from Limone to Capo Reamol is for both hikers and cyclists. The path offers you the chance to walk/cycle literally over the lake, with you covering the 2.5 km length of the bridge suspended in mid-air. The route can even be coursed during the night as it is lit with LEDs!
Have a ride on "Ciclopista del Garda" from Limone to Capo Reamol
There are several trails on Monte Baldo that you can try, especially if you are an enthusiastic race cyclist. It has expert and intermediate routes, with a varying range of 30 to up 100km (about 62.14 mi). You can check out some of the routes right here. However, for keen fat bikers, the Regional Natural Park of Lessinia offers many opportunities as well as the chance to soak up some natural monuments like the 50mt natural arch of Ponte di Veja along the way.
Tip: After the challenging trails of Monte Baldo, you can relax in the ultimate spas of Lake Garda.
Find a convenient home based around Lake Garda for carefree cycling tours.
Want to dip in the best lidos around the Swiss-Italian lakes as a reward after the cycling tour? Check them out right here.
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