Gravel Biking Routes

It's about time we've scoped out the gravel possibilities on Lake Como! Our lake is a body of water nestled between steep mountains, so our gravel routes are truly off the beaten path and not easy to find; discovered and created by us--with our gravel-loving, adventurous customers in mind. These unique rides will allow you to ride safely yet still close to the lakeside for an experience best enjoyed on a gravel bike. Below are the best gravel rides to live our territory from a neat perspective. The new Bianchi Impulso Comp will give you the comfortable and fun ride in nature you're looking for on Lake Como!
We suggest having a guide for these routes given the not-so-easy navigation (or at most a GPS rental). The Adda River and Cascina Don Guanella Routes are offered only as guided tours.
North face gravel | 50% unpaved or path
65km entirely lakeside and nearly half is pure gravel! It's a long ride but without excessive elevation gain, perfect for adventurous cyclists seeking the perfect lake ride. There are several places to stop and see along the route, including many breathtaking views!
destination colico | 50 % Unpaved or path
Our shorter version of the "North Face Gravel" (45km), once you reach Colico, the entry town into the Italian Alps, you can take the train with your bike and arrive to Varenna. This is a ride for everyone, it's mostly flat almost never touches a main road.
ghisallo gravel | 30% unpaved
Challenge yourself to the Ghisallo climb with some unpaved variants! The loop can be done either way, however, if you climb directly up from Bellagio the challenge is guaranteed! You'll get a similar experience to the great cyclists of the past, that climbed the mythical Ghisallo before it was paved! The loop is around 40km with 900m elevation gain.
Porlezza gravel | 80% unpaved or cycle path
A wonderful loop ride between the two most famous lakes of our area, Lake Como and Lake Lugano. This ride is nearly always off of main roads with a moderate elevation gain and easy technical requirements making it a great gravel ride for all levels! The loop is around 40km with 500m elevation gain
​adda river & Monteveccchia | 80% unpaved | with guide only
In Lecco the lake waters run into the River Adda, one of the most important rivers in Italy that runs through the Po Valley. Not many people know that the Lecco area was where Leonardo da Vinci spent a lot of time studying and exploring, especially the Adda River and Lecco's surrounding mountains. Signs of his passages and his inventions are still present and visible still today along the route! The route is around 70km with 1000m elevation gain! Contact us to schedule a guided tour for this route.
cascina don guanella | 60% unpaved | with guide only                                     
More info coming soon!
granlario gravel © the ultimate lake como adventure  by luca | 3 days, 289 km, 6200 m elev. 
An extraordinary cycling journey through the most breathtaking corners of Lake Como. Starting and finishing in the charming town of Bellagio, this multi-day adventure combines thrilling gravel trails, scenic tarmac, and spectacular mountain climbs into an unforgettable experience. If you’re seeking the perfect mix of challenge, beauty, and exploration, this is the ride for you.
Key Stats:
· Distance: 289 km
· Elevation Gain: 6,200 m
· Terrain: 49% tarmac, 51% gravel and unpaved trails
Plan Your Adventure:
· Rent our Hammerhead Karoo GPS with the route pre-loaded or we can provide you GPX files if you have your own navigation system. Prefer to ride with a guide? Inquire about availability!
· Ride It Your Way: With 289 km of trail to explore, we recommend breaking it into three or more stages to fully enjoy the ride and take in all the incredible scenery.