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Offered languages
- English
- Italian
This fantastic route delivers it all: hidden villages, rustic charm, spectacular lake views, and a stop on Lake Lugano.
We ride down to the Val Sanagra nature reserve – lying just above Menaggio, it is one of the Lake Como's best-kept secrets. Pass evocative stone houses and old water mills. Ride uphill through the historic villages of Velzo and Naggio, surrounded by green fields. 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 to Lake Piano along the old railway line that once connected Lake Como to Lake Lugano and is now a pretty cycle path, to complete our loop back in the Renaissance hamlet of Cardano. The ride is a mini adventure with simple gravel road, uphills, downhills, narrow village paths - General agility and confidence on a bike are required. An e-bike is a normal geared bicycle with battery assistance.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Follow the 'bebike' signs at the start of Via Roma or contact us for exact parking details. You will see a large yellow church as you approach our office. We can assist in coordinating a pick up from Menaggio ferry station - service available if requested in advance - paid on-site.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
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.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
We ride the back roads to find hidden frescoes and continue on the original medieval road which includes downhill sections of easy gravel.
Admission ticket free -
1
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.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- 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.
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Additional info
- 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.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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