This special route leads you from Switzerland to Italy, from the Alps to Milan, passing Lake Como. You will admire a unique panoramic view starting by transfer in St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy. Enjoy the cycling path “Sentiero Valtellina”, traversing the valley to Colico, offering a marvelous view over the Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. Take a boat, in Bellagio, the pearl of the lake and have a rest before reaching Lecco. Then follow the river Adda, in direction Vaprio D’Adda, where the river shows you the border between the provinces Milan and Bergamo. Continue on the cycling path of the channel Martesana. It is said that genius Leonardo da Vinci has designed part of this channel. Along the track you will find old power utilities, which where the first ones to supply Milan with electricity. The landscape which is accompanying you to Milan, is a bit unexpected, formed by farm houses, magnificent villas, jetties, old rural houses and villages, immersed in well cured gardens.
Day 1: Arrival in Tirano
Take advantage of your free time to discover this location, not far from Switzerland, the end of line of the famous “Bernina Red Train”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lose yourself in its streets to get to see the signs of history, such as the remains of the Sforza walls in the historic center, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tirano (the only Basilica in this area) and the beautiful buildings in Art Nouveau style. Taste the delicacies of local food and wine: the imposing terraces not only offer a breathtaking view, but also restore all the taste of the territory in a glass of wine, to accompany the bresaola, a delicious and healthy salami, or a dish of pizzoccheri, typical tagliatelle of the Valtellina made with buckwheat. Overnight stay in Tirano.
Day 2: Tirano > St. Moritz > Tirano, train transfer with Bernina express red train
Today is devoted to one of the most spectacular Alps crossing: You take the train from Tirano to St. Moritz you will enjoy a most breath-taking panoramic view. High up to the shimmering glaciers and back down again to the Apeninne Peninsula Italy connecting different language regions and cultures. Overnights stay in Tirano.
Day 3: Tirano > Colico, ~76 km
In the morning delivery of your bikes. A slight downhill ride takes you along the river Adda through the Veltlin Valley, passing the small village Teglio, to the capital city of this homonymous province: Sondrio. The first stage ends in Morbegno with a beautiful historic center rich in buildings of a fascinating past. Without hurry you stroll through the streets and admire the beautiful facades of former palaces with small wrought iron balconies. Visit also the abbey church San Giovanni Battista, a staggeringly Baroque from the 17th - 18th century. There are more churches worth be visited but one of the architectural emblems of the city is „Ponte di Ganda“. And of course some culinary highlights: Bitto is a typical cheese of Veltlin, to be found also in the recipe for “Pizzoccheri”.
Day 4: Round trip Colico, ~13-34 km (one way)
Depending on your physical condition you can choose between different cycling tours. You can get lost between the hills of the ancient part, and visit „Forti Del Montecchio and Fuentes“. Or you cycle to Lungolago to try out different water sports and relax at the coast of the lake. Another possibility is an exploration of a part of the stage in direction Lake Mezzola (16 km) or until Chiavenna (46 km). To return, you can bike the same route, which will be slightly downhill, or take the train.
Day 5: Colico > Lecco, 2 boat transfers
You can cross the lake by boat. Admire the unique beauties of the landscape and have a rest at the pearl of Lake Como, Bellagio. In the late afternoon you will arrive to Lecco, surrounded by famous mountains as the Grigne-group and the Resegone. In the historic center you can visit remains of the 300 years old wall of Azzone Visconti and the antique market places and theatre as well as the Basilica of San Nicoló with its high church steeple showing the direction of the harbor.
Day 6: Lecco > Trezzo sull’Adda, ~36 km
Again you will cycle along the river Adda. Along this route various highlights will catch eye: the historical centrals of Edison (power utilities), cloisters, typical venues, sceneries of Leonardo da Vincis’ „Mona Lisa“.
Day 7: Trezzo sull’Adda > Milan, ~40 km
On your last stage you will cycle on the famous cycling path Martesana, a shipping channel, completed in 1496 under Ludovico il Moro (Ludovico Sforza). Amongst the different places of interests you will notice the lordly villas (Villa Melzi a Vaprio, Villa Aitelli a Inzago, Villa Serbelloni a Gorgonzola, just to name a few of them), the numerous mills, small churches, old factories and laundries. Slowly you enter the area of the city of Milan - coming from North - and following the cycling paths of the city you will reach your hotel. We suggest to spend an extra night in the capital of fashion of Italy to get to know better the artistic and cultural beauties of Milan.
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extension of your stay.
