FULL ITINERARY
DAY ONE SAT 11 MAY | WELCOME
Group transfer from Malpensa Milan airport, arriving mid-morning at our wonderful hotel. We'll get you settled in and the bikes set-up. After a delicious Welcome Lunch and Tour Introduction, we'll head out for an easy spin to get the legs turning after travelling. Welcome to the shimmering delight that is Lago d'Orta.
DISTANCE | 30KM | 18MI
ELEVATION | 500M | 1600FT
DAY TWO SUN 12 MAY | LOOP OF LAGO D'ORTA
A really scenic ride right around the lake. But don't count on it flat all the way round. We include the heart-starter ascent to the Santuary of the Madonna del Sasso. Your first taste of the lakes terrain, and the reward of panoramic views over Lago d'Orta. Take the short-option directly home, or ride the gorge road towards Campello Monti before looping back with
DISTANCE | 75KM | 47MI
ELEVATION | 1300M | 4250FT
DAY THREE MON 13 MAY | ORTA SAN GIULIO TO STRESA
A lovely flat start to our ride, before the challenging Mottarone climb, often used in the Giro d'Italia when the tour comes this way. Mottarone is a solid ascent, but the view is such that on a clear day you can see the top of the Duomo in Milan. The additional reward is a magnificent descent towards Stresa, the city of flowers, our destination for the next couple of days.
DISTANCE | 60KM | 37MI
ELEVATION | 1500M | 4900FT
DAY FOUR TUE 14 MAY | STRESA LOOP
Great warm-up along the shores of Lago Maggiore until we get to Verbania. We begin the climb to Piancavallo, which is long but not overly steep with a spectacular descent back down to the lake. Enjoy the views as we spin along the shore back to our hotel. You will get to enjoy the reverse view from the water later in the day, when we visit historically fascinating Isola Bella.
DISTANCE | 90KM | 56MI
ELEVATION | 1600M | 5250FT
DAY FIVE WED 15 MAY | STRESA TO VARESE
A day of wondrous variety. The ride commences with easy spin to Verbania, but this time it's all aboard the ferry to Laveno. Mid-way across the lake we leave Piedmont and enter Lombardy, riding directly off the ferry to the Santa Caterina del Sasso monastery. The buildings literally cling to the cliff face above the waters of Lake Maggiore, and what a story they have to tell! From there an undulating, rolling route to Varese until the solid, but short climb to Sacro Monte. The view from here is a terrific intro to the town.
DISTANCE | 75KM | 47MI
ELEVATION | 1300M | 4250FT
DAY SIX THU 16 MAY | VARESE LOOP
A wonderful loop ride that takes us to Lago Ceresio, shared by Italy and Switzerland. Quiet, leafy roads, flat stages along the lake's shore and fantastic climbs through forested hills. The route gives you an up-close look at how good the terrain is in this region for cycling.
DISTANCE | 85KM | 53MI
ELEVATION | 1700M | 5550FT
DAY SEVEN FRI 17 MAY | VARESE TO BELLAGIO
Couldn't pass up the chance for a last look at the Brinzio forest before we leave Varese. A fun downhill, over the Alpe Tedesco and down again, to Lago Ceresio and over the Swiss border we go, into Mendrisio. A beautiful climb and even more spectacular descent to Lago di Como, arguably the fairest of them all. Relax on the ferry and simply enjoy. A memorable celebration dinner to wind up this fabulous tour.
DISTANCE | 95KM | 59MI
ELEVATION | 1800M | 5900FT
DAY EIGHT SAT 18 MAY | BELLAGIO LOOP
Epic day for our final ride. Not necessarily because it's long or high, but because this is hallowed cycling territory. The last big pro race of the season, the Tour of Lombardia always climbs the Colle del Ghisallo. It is an interesting ascent, with sections that are short and steep, downhill, undulating and fast. The tiny chapel of the patron saint of cyclists, Madonna del Ghisallo, has notable memorabilia of fallen cyclists and there is a very good cycling museum to wander through. If you're up for it, you can also test you mettle on the daunting Muro di Sormano. Celebratory dinner to wind up a brilliant week of cycling.
DISTANCE | 75KM | 47MI
ELEVATION | 1800M | 5900FT
DAY NINE SUN 19 MAY | GOODBYE
Early morning group transfer to Malpensa Milan airport, with a drop-off for folks staying a few more days in Como.
Time to say farewell, until next time!