Northern Italy – 3 Lakes and More

Day 2: Arona – Druogno Santa Maria Maggiore

• Distance: 82 km51 mi
• Elevation: 1100 m3608 ft

Departure from Arona, Piedmontese town on the shores of Lake Maggiore. We ride along the entire perimeter of the lake and then get ready to face the Val Cannobina ascent. From the lake we go up to Sella di Pian di Sale which leads to the Val Vigezzo where the Cannobino stream forms deep gorges and creates evocative scenes, with the valley opening up as we ride higher. In Val Cannobina with its mountains, alpine farmsteads and pastures, we ride back in time: this wild and almost deserted valley is perfect for cycling. And there’s no need to worry about the climb because our minibus is always nearby, so we can relax as we ride through the splendid mountains of Val Vigezzo, with its green forests and evocative atmosphere all year round and, not surprisingly, it is also known as the “Valley of Painters”: portrait and landscape artists used to come here in search of inspiration. Pedaling onwards we then reach the largest and most important town in the valley: Santa Maria Maggiore, a historic village situated on a high plain at just over 800 m a.s.l. Time to relax before dinner together. Overnight in Santa Maria Maggiore.

Day 4: Cernobbio – Domaso

• Distance: 74 km46 mi
• Elevation: 1150 m3772 ft

After meeting for breakfast we leave by minibus for the short transfer to Lake Como. Then we will get back on our road bikes in Cernobbio, renowned tourist resort on the western shore of the lake, and ride along the lake to Argegno. Here, the Val d’Intelvi ascent is waiting for us: a mountain valley in the province of Como near the Swiss border with San Fedele at 779m a.s.l. its main town; nearby is the summit of Monte Generoso surrounded by unspoiled nature that makes an imposing landscape.

Leaving the mountains we go back down to the lake to Porlezza, an important tourist resort on the shore of Lake Lugano. We continue downhill until we return to the western shore of Lake Como in Menaggio, with a superb view of the lake. Riding along the lake we end our day’s ride in Dongo, where we can enjoy the lake scenery and surrounding landscape.

Overnight in Domaso.

Day 6: Tour of Lake Iseo and Franciacorta

• Distance: 64 km40 mi
• Elevation: 750 m2460 ft

After breakfast, transfer by minibus to Lake Iseo where we will start the day’s ride in the beautiful Franciacorta. This pre-alpine lake with its characteristic “S” shape is in both the province of Brescia (east side) and that of Bergamo (west side). Pedaling clockwise we will go through Predore and Riva di Solto and, riding along the lake, soon reach a stretch of road from where you can admire the small beaches and old lakeside road dating back to 1910 that runs right next to the lake. With hairpin bends, short tunnels carved out of the rock and a small picturesque waterfall, we reach Castro.

We then carry on to Lovere, with its colorful and picturesque alleys, ancient churches and elegant squares. Continuing along the lakeside we reach Pisogne, with its ancient medieval center and churches with frescoes by well-known artists like Romanino, before continuing through the villages of Marone and Sale Marasino to Sulzano. Here, tasting delicious ice cream can admire Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe, Montisola became famous in 2016 when it hosted the celebrated project of Christo ‘The Floating Piers’ a temporary pedestrian footbridge across the lake, from Sulzano to Montisola and the private island of St. Paul. An ambitious and almost surreal work that enabled thousands of Italian and foreign visitors to “walk on the water” of Lake Iseo, enjoying it from a totally new perspective.

After Sulzano, we pedal to Iseo and Sarnico, the final destination of our day’s cycling, in no time at all.

Dinner in a typical restaurant. Overnight in Sarnico.