Explore Lakes Garda & Como, Italy

We are glad to add Explorer type self-guided, but a SAG van supported and a driver guided tours to our regular all-inclusive tours for hard-core cyclists.

We offer you to explore lakes Garda & Como in the Italian Alps:

Explore three the most popular lakes in Italy: Lago di Garda, Como and Lugano
Ride around & swim in the lakes, stop at many picturesque villages, have delicious meals, stay in selected hotels – simply enjoy Italy

Challenge yourself on regendary Giro d’Italia climbs: Muro di Sormano and Madonna del Ghisallo
All transfers, luggage transportation, accommodations, support van, services of our driver are provided from professionals of HC Bike Tours

The tour is perfect for all kind of cyclists. We can split riders into two groups, make it less challenging by excluding and shortening the rides or we can add more climbs and make the routes more challenging. You choose, we provide!

Accomplish in total 250+ miles / 400+ km

A special group discount is available for groups of 4 persons or more.
Call us on +1 650 319 8824 or email us to get a quote or if you have any questions.

---What's included---

8 days / 7 nights a SAG van and our driver supported tour
All transfers and ground transportation including pick-up/drop-off at the airport
Support vehicle during the ride
Our van and driver at your disposal during and after the rides
All luggage transportation between hotels
All accommodation fees in a double or triple room (2-3 star hotels or B&B)
All breakfasts
On-road supplements: fresh fruit, snacks, and water
Services of HC Bike Tours professional English speaking staff
Mechanic assistance
Maps for the tours
Holidays preparation advice
Non-riders take the daily rides with the riders in a SAG van and enjoy beauty of the magnificent country

---What's not included---

Airfare
Travel and personal insurance (recommended)
Additional hotel expenses, i.e. phone charges, mini-bar, drinks, gratuities, laundry, coffe stops
Lunches and dinners (on-road supplements are included)
Rental bike (available for an additional fee)

---Tour itinerary---

---Day 1---

Welcome to Italy and let’s start to explore the lakes
Desenzano del Garda – Sirmione - Desenzano del Garda

HC Bike Tours’ team will meet you at the airport. From there, you will be provided with the transportation to the hotel. Our team will help you to set up your bicycle. If possible, we will take off for a warm-up ride to the beautiful village of Sirmione in the afternoon. Sirmione is one of the must-visit places. Don’t rush and simply enjoy a stroll through it.

Distance - 20+ miles

---Day 2---

Ride along Garda
Desenzano del Garda – Lazise – Garda - San Zeno di Montagna* - Malcesine castle – Riva del Garda

* Optional - climb San Zeno di Montagna on the way to our destination: length 5 miles, average grade 6.1% with some ramps over 10%. The view from there is worth to do it!
Coffee + Italian style breakfast and we are off for the ride along the largest lake in Italy – Lago di Garda. We will ride through the picturesque villages Lazise and Garda. We will make a stop in Malcesine to see more than 700 year’s old castle. Take it easy and relax! Let’s have coffee before we ride the last 14 miles until our hotel located in another beautiful town of Riva del Garda. This town is perfect for a walk and to have delicious dinner at one of the many restaurants by the lake. Pasta or pizza?

Distance - 50 miles
Elevation gain 3000 ft

---Day 3---

Strada della Forra…
Riva del Garda - Strada della Forra - Il Santuario di Montecastello – Salò

Yeah, don’t forget your camera today! Strada della Forra - one of the world's most scenic roads!!! That will be an unforgettable experience. Later on, we will stop at Il Santuario di Montecastello – old church with amazing views of the lake. Our destination is Salò - a town with the longest promenade. The best restaurants are located right there.

Distance - 45 miles
Elevation gain 11 000 ft

---Day 4---

Lake Como and Muro di Sormano
Lecco - Muro di Sormano - Bellagio - Madonna del Ghisallo - Lecco

We will start our day with breakfast and two hours transfer to the lake Como. As soon we will reach the lake Como, we are off for a challenging ride. We are going to ride two very famous climbs of Giro d’Italia: Muro di Sormano and Madonna del Ghisallo. We know you can do it!
In between those climbs, we will have a coffee stop in Bellaggio. This town is known as la perla del lago, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful and romantic town on Lake Como, if not in Italy.
Madonna del Ghisallo is a chapel and museum situated at the pass's summit and it’s a must visit place for cyclists. We will stay overnight in Lecco. This town has a lot of very nice places where to go for a walk and have meal.

Distance - 65 miles
Elevation gain 8200 ft

---Day 5---

Lake Como…
Lecco – Varenna – Bellano – Musso - Menaggio

It will be a beautiful day. We are going to ride along the lake all day long visiting the charming villages and enjoying the magnificent views. The fishing village of Varenna has picturesque narrow alleyways and streets below a castle - Castello di Vezio. Bellano is a delicious spot to stop on the lakeside and have coffee and pastries. Musso certainly is popular because of its architecture. Menaggio, against the mountains, is a lively resort with a lakeside promenade. Let’s rest and find real pizza – hot and tasty straight from a wood burning oven.

Distance - 50 miles
Elevation gain 5000 ft

---Day 6---

Lago di Lugano and more…
Mennagio – Lago di Lugano - Lanzo D'intelvi – Argegno – Cernobbio - Como

This is not a joke – we are going to Switzerland. Ok, almost. We will start our day with the ride to lake Lugano, and we will climb one narrow road to Lanzo D'intelvi. It’s amazing view of lake Lugano from there. We are sure, it’s time for a coffee. Later on, we go down to lake Como to finish our trip riding along the lake until the town of Como. Before the finish, we will stop at Villa d'Este, in the village of Cernobbio, is the most famous of Lake Como's villas.
What to see in Como? Piazza Cavour, one of the town’s bustling public squares, and Como’s resident cathedral too. It’s a nice town for a walk or easy spin by bike. Let’s celebrate our trip and have delicious traditional meal and some wine too.

Distance - 50 miles
Elevation gain 6500 ft

---Day 7---

Arrivederci!
Another breakfast in Italy and it’s time to head back home. We will transport you back to the airport or a hotel if you are going to stay there for couple days more. We recommend you to visit Venice after your trip. We will be glad to transport you to a hotel in Venice too.

Optional – if you don’t rush, we would be glad to guide you for another ride in the morning. Let us surprise you with another great route. before we transfer you to the airport or a hotel.

Distance ---