From Lake Iseo to Milan in three stages, crossing Aprica Pass and riding along Valtellina, Lake Como and Adda River. A very diversified and fun route, which for long stretches runs on cycle paths. Have a good ride!

 

DAY 1 ISEO/EDOLO: 79km – 912m D+

From Milan we jumped on a regional train which, with a change in Brescia, took us to Iseo in about 2 hours, where we started riding. Unfortunately, the first stretch along Lake Iseo is on a provincial road, but it’s equally worth it because you can enjoy the beautiful view of Monte Isola. Then, once in Vello, the panoramic cycle-pedestrian path Vello-Toline begins: 5 km with the lake on one side and the rocky walls on the other. The path runs all the way to Pisogne.

Once in Pisogne take the Oglio River Cycle Route, easy and well signposted, which slowly begins to rise. Shortly after Darfo-Boario Terme there is a very picturesque old gallery. Getting to Edolo, however, requires a lot of effort because, while the road climbs gradually, the cycle path goes up the mountains. You cross vineyards and woods on gravel, sometimes on single traks, the landscape is very beautiful… But some climbs are very steep, around 14%.

DAY 2 EDOLO/COLICO: 94.5km/701m D+

The hardest stage, that will take you over Aprica Pass (1.200m asl).

The first kilometers after Edolo, passing through Santicolo to avoid the main road, are really challenging, with climbs up to 17%. Once you arrive in Pisogneto you rejoin the main road, the climb becomes more gentle and the 15 km from Edolo to Aprica run away quickly. After the town, a long and steep descent awaits us to the bottom of the valley, where the Adda flows.

From there on it’s all flat (or slightly downhill), following the river along the beautiful Sentiero Valtellina cycle path for about sixty kilometers, until you reach Lake Como.

DAY 3 COLICO/MILANO: 114 Km – 350m D+

From Colico to Varenna, where a ferry will take you to charming Bellagio, it’s a pleasant 18 km ride along the lake. Too bad there is no cycle path, but starting early in the morning you can avoid traffic. The ferry takes about 15 minutes to cross the lake.

Bellagio is a cyclist’s paradise, we have met many, many even foreigners. From here there are many possibilities: you can cycle towards Como or go up to Ghisallo or, as we did, head towards Lecco. The route is gorgeous and offers breathtaking views of the lake. Being on a normal road, however, you have to pay attention to the cars, especially in the two long tunnels just before Lecco.

The final strech from Lecco to Milan it’s an amazing 70km long cycle path where you have not to worry about cars. In the first part, almost entirely gravel, you run along the Adda River and meet some historic hydroelectric plants. From Cassano d’Adda, then, follow the Martesana canal to the center of Milan.