Bellagio > Ghisallo > Muro > Bellagio

This ride requires a ferry trip to Bellagio from Cadenabbia to start.

Starting and ending in Bellagio, this route offers a challenging ride with stunning views of Lake Como. The climb begins towards Ghisallo Pass, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas. At the top, you’ll find the Madonna del Ghisallo church, dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists, as well as the Museo del Ciclismo (Cycling Museum), which displays memorabilia from cycling legends. After completing Ghisallo Pass, the route continues with the tough Muro di Sormano, one of Italy's steepest climbs, with gradients reaching 27%. However, if you're not up for the challenge, you can bypass the Muro by staying on the main road towards the Colma di Sormano. From there, you’ll cross the Pian di Tivano, a flat, scenic plain, before descending to Nesso. Finally, you’ll follow the lakeside road back to Bellagio. This loop offers a great mix of tough climbs, beautiful scenery, and a bit of cycling history.

Short version: Cut out going to Colma di Sormano and Nesso and instead go towards Asso, but don't go all the way. Rather take the turn off toward Valbronna and Onno (on the left - it comes up fast on a downhill) which eventually leads to a spectacular almost straight decent with a view of the lake that you will need to try to ignore for your own safety!

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Varenna > Aguelio > Premana > Valvarone > Varenna

This ride requires a ferry trip to Varenna from Cadenabbia or Menaggio to start.

This is a ride that starts with spectacular views of Lake Como as you climb from Varenna to Perledo using a short deviation through Regoledo to avoid some traffic (of which there is actually very little). From Perledo you ride a beautiful quiet road along the valley leading you into the mountains to Esino Lario from where you will climb the Aquelio pass which towers over Lake Como and provides breathtaking views of the lake. You then do a long descent almost back to the lake to Parlasco from where you begin to climb to the town of Premana, a strangely large town nestled in the mountains and still famous for its manufacturing of scissors and knives. From Premana you descend all the way back to Lake Como through the Valvarrone to Dervio with great views of the lake on the way down. The ride finishes with a rewarding 8kms along the lake back to Varenna. Note that you may encounter line ups to get on the Ferry if you need to cross the Lake.

Short version: Cut out Premana and from Perlasco head back to the the town of Belano on the lake and then back to Varenna.

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Griante > Naggio > Val Cavargna > Val d'Intelvi > Griante

This beautiful cycling loop takes you through some of the most scenic areas of Lake Como's hinterland. The ride begins with a nice climb out of Menaggio to the town of Naggio helping to avoid most of the main traffic on the road that leads eventually to Porlezza. From Naggio you descend to Carlazzo from where you begin a long climb in the Val Cavargna, a quiet valley nestled in the mountains. The road ascends steadily through lush forested terrain, offering great views of the surrounding peaks. After passing through the small villages of Val Cavargna, you’ll continue up to the Passo Cavargna—the highest point of the route. From here, you do a long decent through the Val Rezzo to Porlezza where you will then ride along the shore of Lago di Porlezza to Osteno from where you will climb through the Val d'Intelvi, a tranquil valley known for its charming villages and sweeping vistas. You’ll ride through picturesque towns and the descend to just beyond Argegno avoiding the main road down to the lake. From there you will ride along the lake back to your starting point. The route provides a mix of challenging ascents, rewarding descents, and stunning alpine views, perfect for those looking to explore the beauty of the Lake Como area away from the crowds.

Short version: Cut out Val Cavargna and from Carlazzo head down to Corrido instead, then Porlezza, and then go to Osteno and do the Val d'Intelvi.

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Giro of Lake Como

Cycling around the perimeter of Lake Como is a classic ride that will give any cyclist a great sense of accomplishment. The ride is 160km long and takes you through all of Lake Como's lake side cities and villages.

Full description of the ride.

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Chiavenna > Maloja Pass > St. Moritz

This has some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the world.

For cyclists based in Lake Como, a drive to Chiavenna is the perfect starting point for tackling the Maloja Pass to St. Moritz. After a scenic drive through the Val Chiavenna, you’ll reach Chiavenna, where the climb begins. This 32 km ascent gradually climbs over 1,400 meters to the summit of the Maloja Pass, with a challenging series of switchbacks near the top. The route rewards cyclists with breathtaking views of alpine lakes and lush valleys. It’s a classic, high-altitude climb that offers both beauty and a serious challenge, ideal for cyclists looking for a bit of Swiss mountain glory.

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Passo dello Stelvio (from Prato)

Must Do – This is a "Bucket List" Ride for serious cyclists!

For adventurous cyclists visiting Lake Como, tackling the legendary Stelvio Pass from the Prato side is an unforgettable experience. The best approach is to drive north via Tirano to Bormio, then ascend the stunning Stelvio Pass by car—enjoying jaw-dropping alpine views—before descending to Prato allo Stelvio, where you can park and begin the climb. From Prato, the 24 km ascent features 48 iconic hairpin bends, dramatic scenery, and nearly 1,850 meters of vertical gain, making it one of the most spectacular and rewarding rides in the world. It's about 3 hours of driving before the ride and then the same back home, so maybe consider staying in and around Bormio of a night an maybe throw in another ride the next day such as the Mortirolo if your legs are up to it or even back up to Stelvio from the Bormio side.

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