E-Bike Tour around Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life
Description
This fantastic route delivers it all: hidden villages, rustic charm, spectacular lake views, and a stop on Lake Lugano beach. Pass evocative stone houses and old water mills. Weave through charming village squares untouched by time and tourism. Enjoy a glorious downhill ride on an original medieval road. Stunning views guide us onto the shores of Lake Lugano before we cycle along the old railway line to complete our loop back in the Renaissance hamlet of Cardano. The ride is a mini adventure including gravel roads, uphills, downhills & narrow village roadss - General agility and confidence on a bike are required. An e-bike is a normal geared bicycle with battery assistance.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start our tour from the Renaissance hamlet of Cardano. Ride the narrow cobbled alleyways past the Bagatti Valsecchi villa that stills belongs to this noble Milanese family. The small agricultural villages we visit are composed of narrow paths with tight turns requiring agility and confidence on a geared bike.
Ride a relatively steep downhill section into the Val Sanagra nature reserve to discover the valley stream that gave life to a number of mills and is home to gorgeous stone houses and ancient stone bridges.
Ride uphill into the hamlet of Velzo, surrounded by grape vines and immersed in mountain scenery. Traverse the village following the original narrow alleyways including a few tight turns.
We enter Naggio, another typical mountain village with a beautifully preserved square, before preparing for a gorgeous, panoramic downhill ride (at times steep) to get our first glimpse of Lake Lugano.
We ride the back roads to find hidden frescoes and continue on the original medieval road which includes downhill sections of easy gravel.
Cycle through the historic centre of this lakeside town with it's speciality food stores. Stop right on the beach and have a coffee or ice-cream in the area. The homeward journey passes the scenic nature reserve of Lake Piano. Follow the old railway line passing expansive green fields, stables and farmsteads until we reach Cardano where the tour ends. This stretch of cycle path is the only flat section of the tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age 14, minimum height 150cm, maximum height 194cm (under 18yrs accompanied by an adult).
- Suggested maximum age 65. Participants age 65+ need to be recent, confident riders on varied terrain.
- Intermediate skills on a geared bicycle on mixed terrain are needed. Lake Como is mountainous - there are significant uphills and downhills; sections of easy gravel and narrow village paths requiring general athleticism, agility and confidence on a bicycle.
- Suitable activewear is obligatory - No sandals or open shoes, no loose-fitting long skirts or trousers. Guests wearing flip flops will not be allowed to ride for safety reasons.
- Pick up from Menaggio/Cadenabbia ferry station available on request only and paid on-site
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments, injuries, bad hips and lack of agility.