E-Bike Tour around Three Lakes and Idyllic Mountain Life
Overview
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.
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.
Inclusions
- Cube Reaction cross-country e-bike, helmet, rear-fitted bike bag
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Grandola ed Uniti, Grandola ed Uniti, Lake Como, Lombardy
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.
Pass By: Museo Etnografico E Naturalistico Val Sanagra, Piazza Luigi Camozzi 2 Villa Camozzi - Sede Municipio e Museo, 22010 Grandola ed Uniti Italy
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.
Pass By: 22010 Velzo CO, Italy
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.
Pass By: Piazza Maggiore, 22010 Naggio Italy
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.
Pass By: Carlazzo, Carlazzo, Province of Como, Lombardy
We ride the back roads to find hidden frescoes and continue on the original medieval road which includes downhill sections of easy gravel.
Stop At: Lungolago Porlezza, Strada Statale 340, Porlezza Italy
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.
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Grandola ed Uniti, Grandola ed Uniti, Lake Como, Lombardy
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.
Pass By: Museo Etnografico E Naturalistico Val Sanagra, Piazza Luigi Camozzi 2 Villa Camozzi - Sede Municipio e Museo, 22010 Grandola ed Uniti Italy
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.
Pass By: 22010 Velzo CO, Italy
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.
Pass By: Piazza Maggiore, 22010 Naggio Italy
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.
Pass By: Carlazzo, Carlazzo, Province of Como, Lombardy
We ride the back roads to find hidden frescoes and continue on the original medieval road which includes downhill sections of easy gravel.
Stop At: Lungolago Porlezza, Strada Statale 340, Porlezza Italy
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.
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum age 14, minimum height 150cm, maximum height 194cm (under 18yrs accompanied by an adult).
- Suggested maximum age 60. Participants age 60+ 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 ferry station available on request only and paid on-site
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility impairments, injuries, bad hips and lack of agility.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- 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 tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
cobbyc201
May 2022
Luigi is a great guide, very informative about the mountain villages and the Lake county. Very concerned with our safety and attentive to our preferred pace and desire to stop for photos. Highly recommend for experienced cyclists and beginners alike. A real highlight of our trip!
Luigi is a great guide, very informative about the mountain villages and the Lake county. Very concerned with our safety and attentive to our preferred pace and desire to stop for photos. Highly recommend for experienced cyclists and beginners alike. A real highlight of our trip!Sihame B
April 2022
The tour with Luigi was absolutely wonderful! Luigi was so nice and very well prepared. Not only he took us to the most gorgeous areas with breathtaking views but he also was very knowledgeable on the history of the region. It was by far, the best guided tour I’ve ever been on. Emily, his partner...
The tour with Luigi was absolutely wonderful! Luigi was so nice and very well prepared. Not only he took us to the most gorgeous areas with breathtaking views but he also was very knowledgeable on the history of the region. It was by far, the best guided tour I’ve ever been on. Emily, his partner was also super nice and helpful. They gave us recommendations of places to go for lunch and kindly booked a table for us at a delicious pizzeria. I would recommend them without any hesitation. Plus, the E-bike experience is very cool :)patriciota1
April 2022
My favorite part was the experience itself. It was as like a dream. The views, the small towns just breathless.
My favorite part was the experience itself. It was as like a dream. The views, the small towns just breathless.L0392
April 2022
A wonderful day trip! Luigi and Emily are great and we loved our time riding bikes around the lakes. The e-bikes provided were great quality and made the uphill rides a breeze. The views are stunning and loved the variety of places we got to see. Luigi was very knowledgeable about the area and pr...
A wonderful day trip! Luigi and Emily are great and we loved our time riding bikes around the lakes. The e-bikes provided were great quality and made the uphill rides a breeze. The views are stunning and loved the variety of places we got to see. Luigi was very knowledgeable about the area and provided great info along our ride. Highly recommend!MCWGCo
November 2021
Travelling through the streets of medieval villages, visiting little known churches perched above beautiful Lake Como and Lake Lugano: an excursion with BeeBikes gives a totally different perspective to amazing scenery with the advantage of great exercise. Luigi is the perfect guide and companion...
Travelling through the streets of medieval villages, visiting little known churches perched above beautiful Lake Como and Lake Lugano: an excursion with BeeBikes gives a totally different perspective to amazing scenery with the advantage of great exercise. Luigi is the perfect guide and companion along the way with anecdotes based on his wide knowledge, adding to the enjoyment of the ride. Luigi and Emily run this efficient family bike-guiding business. They provide top quality e-bikes, are mindful of ability and safety and plan tours to little-known parts around and between the two lakes and surroundings, that few could find alone. I have now been on two tours and I would thoroughly recommend to anyone who wants a unique experience that will enhance their knowledge and appreciation of this outstanding area, to contact and book with Beebikes.943michelf
September 2021
This was by far our favourite activity in Italy and the one we will remember the longest. The BeBike team created a unique tour that goes through villages, calm streets with breathtaking views. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared facts and stories of the place we visited. This is truly of...
This was by far our favourite activity in Italy and the one we will remember the longest. The BeBike team created a unique tour that goes through villages, calm streets with breathtaking views. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared facts and stories of the place we visited. This is truly off the beaten path and a must try. I was with my dad that is 70 years old and he had no issues going upon the hills with the electric bikes. A must try. Thank you Luigi for the wonderful experience! All the best!