71.6km | 1,839m | 1,319m | 4,30h

Our first day of intense riding looks like a captivating journey through the scenic landscapes and historical sites of Bergamo. The blend of urban charm, picturesque countryside, and the repurposed railway path offers a unique and enchanting experience for cyclists. The old railway line, now transformed into a bike path, not only provides a vehicle-free environment, winding its way through the landscape, the route meanders through ancient stone tunnels, remnants of a bygone era dating back to the early 1900s. The journey goes on through Val Taleggio, known for its famous creamy cheese production, gives a glimpse of what’s next on a cultural and gastronomic dimension to the ride. The verdant valley with alpine features, complete with cow bells and green meadows, paints a picturesque scene. The rolling road through woods and meadows, punctuated by some gentle climbs, promises a varied and dynamic cycling experience. The stop at an old Osteria for a well-deserved lunch further adds to the charm, providing an opportunity to refuel and appreciate the local cuisine. The final 9 km climb to Dossena, a remote small town with a history dating back to Roman times, adds a sense of adventure and discovery to your ride. The mention of ancient mines and iron excavation hints at the rich historical significance of the area. Overall, your first day sets the stage for an exciting and challenging ride, blending natural beauty, historical allure, and the thrill of conquering climbs. It's a journey that not only tests your cycling prowess but also allows you to appreciate the cultural and historical richness of the region. .

Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

99,7km | 2,031m | 2,731m | 5,45h

The second day of the journey is the longest stage, covering 100 km and taking us to the highest point, nearly reaching the 2000 meters of the historic Passo San Marco. This ascent is one of the many hidden gems of this trip. We start from the hotel, and there are 5 kilometers of uphill to retrace the final part of stage 1, returning to Dossena before descending to San Pellegrino (yes, the one famous for its mineral water). We resume on the secure and scenic cycle path along the old railway. We proceed through picturesque galleries and spectacular canyons along the Brembo River, ascending the waters up to Olmo, where the 20 km climb to Passo San Marco begins. It's an old road built in the 17th century to facilitate the trade of goods between the Republic of Venice and the Swiss cantons. Following in the footsteps of those ancient trade routes, we tackle this fascinating alpine-style ascent with very challenging gradients and 15 hairpin turns, marked by signs placed along the roadside. At the summit, we reach an altitude of 1990 meters, and if the ascent is long, the descent is even more thrilling: 26 endless kilometers descending towards the ancient imperial city of Morbegno. We reach the Adda River, which flows into Lake Como. All we have to do is follow the safe and peaceful cycle path along the river, descending gently to Colico, where we will finally rest by the lakeside .

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Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

90,2km | 2,419m | 2432m | 5,20h

This stage holds a special place in my heart. We kick off from Colico, heading south for a flat 10 km before embarking on the extensive and undulating ascent of Valvarrone: a rugged 18 km stretch with challenging terrain. Cycling into the valley, we'll traverse a couple of ancient mountain villages, encountering scarcely anyone along the way. Upon reaching the summit, a rapid downhill awaits before tackling the 9 steep kilometers leading to one of the highlights of the journey: Passo Esine Lario. This pass treats us to a breathtaking 360° panorama overlooking the lake from the top. One of my favorite aspects is the exceptionally long descent to Varenna: a thrilling 18 km descent that feels like a direct plunge into the lake. Once upon a time, Varenna was a small fishing village characterized by old houses painted in picturesque pastel colors. Now, it stands as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations on the lake, thanks to its elegant hotels and numerous cafes. The village is so small that the best way to visit is by arriving in the center via ferry, and of course, by bike, enjoying the splendid view of the long descent from the hills down to the waterfront. There is no better place to stop for a coffee and savor what life by the lake could have been like until just a few years ago. After coffee, there are only 18 kilometers of a wonderful lakeside road that takes us back to our hotel.

Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

88,2km | 2,315m | 1,802m | 5,05h

Today's stage is 90 km long with over 2300 meters of elevation gain, and if we carefully examine the altitude profile, things get even more serious: the first 40 kilometers are mostly flat. From Colico to Menaggio, we'll be cycling along the lakeshore, covering 40 fast kilometers where we can enjoy open spaces and be amazed by how the alpine peaks rise from the blue waters to over 3000 meters of the nearby summits that touch the azure skies. These initial 40 kilometers are not too complicated and end in Menaggio; from there, we begin to climb. First, there are easy 5 kilometers on another cycle path converted from an old railway line that connected Lugano in Switzerland with Lake Como, and then another 10 kilometers that are more challenging, leading us to make a loop through the semi-abandoned villages of the mysterious Val Cavargna, which during the smuggling era was one of the most active centers in illegal activities. After completing the Cavargna, we'll descend rapidly to Porlezza on Lake Ceresio, the last town before the Swiss border. We will pedal eastward, skirting for a few kilometers until Osteno, this other border lake, a small jewel where the wooded slopes of the mountains are reflected on the water's surface. From the small village of Osteno, we will climb steadily for 10 kilometers, with some peaks in double digits, up to San Fedele Intelvi, where the end of this stage awaits us.

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Accommodation: 3-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast | Dinner at Osteria

87.9km | 1,837m | 2,412m | 5,10h

Val Intelvi is indeed one of those places that appears to have experienced a brief encounter with tourism, leaving behind a tranquil and picturesque valley nestled between the mountains and lakes, serving as the boundary between Switzerland and Italy. The well-maintained and nearly traffic-free roads contribute to the serene ambiance of the region. These mountains, while now offering a peaceful landscape, were once the stage for intense illegal activities carried out by smugglers. With limited opportunities for regular employment, smuggling became a livelihood necessity for some.

Before bidding farewell to the valley, the route takes a climactic ascent to Sighignola at the Balcone d'Italia viewpoint. This 5.3-kilometer climb is rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view over Lake Lugano and the Swiss Alps. The stunning scenery from this vantage point leaves a lasting impression. Descending back to Lanzo, the path meanders from the valley toward Lake Como. Another easy end with a smooth descent before returning to the road that skirts the lake, the famous and majestic Strada Regina. Winding through what were once fishing villages, it overlooks the lake and opulent villas. In Menaggio a picturesque ferry-boat awaits to carry us to Bellagio: it’s a ride on the blue waters and permits us to enjoys a different sight of the Lago di Como.

Accommodation: 3-Star Hotel

Meals: Breakfast  

74,7km | 2,305m | 2,370m | 5,10h

From our hotel in the charming Bellagio, we begin our route on the historic and iconic route of perhaps the two most famous climbs in the history of the Giro di Lombardia: Ghisallo and the infamous Muro di Sormano. Ghisallo is a 12 km climb divided into two sectors. In fact, at kilometer 8.7, the road descends for a kilometer before ascending again with very harsh hairpins. At the summit, you'll find the old chapel. The devotion that arose from cyclists and enthusiasts towards their patroness sparked a competition to bring offerings and memorabilia to the small church. Soon, it was filled with various votive objects, torches, banners, trophies, and bicycles. Today, the church is a pilgrimage destination for many believers and numerous cycling enthusiasts who come to pay homage from all over the world. Next to the old chapel, there is another mythical place in our sport: The Cycling Museum, one of the most unique and iconic spots. There is just one spot in the world where you can see bicycles that have been used by Bartali, Coppi, and Merckx in their Tour de France victories, the special bike used by Moser for his game-changer hour record, and several maglie rosa, maillot jaune, and rainbow jerseys. After the break here comes the ascent of the Muro di Sormano and its 2.8 kilometers at an 18% gradient. It's a fitting way to bid farewell – you will remember us, or at least your legs will feel the pain for a long time. A tricky and very twisty descent back on the shore of the lake and another 20 km rolling back to Como, but our pain is not over yet. As this is the Grand Final our final battle is on the brutal Brunate Climb before ending our ride and our journey in Como city center.

Accommodation: 4-star hotel

Meals: Breakfast