Lake Como is For Climbers!

Lake Como is home to countless roads that climb from its shores into the surrounding mountains. Some are famous and well known, others are more wild and largely undiscovered. Luca and Alberto have ridden them all; there is no climb around the lake they have not tackled on two wheels. One winter morning, while talking about the endless variety of climbs around Lake Como, they found themselves wondering which one was the toughest. They both had the same answer, but Luca decided to research the details, mapping every climb, one by one, and ranking them using an algorithm designed to measure their level of difficulty.* The result is this definitive ranking of the 10 hardest climbs around Lake Como—with a number one that, interestingly, remains largely unknown to cyclists. (If you would like more ride details and commentary, as well as elevation graphs for all the climbs, please subscribe to our newsletter to obtain the complete article.)

Ranking and Key Stats

Note: Rank 7 includes three climbs starting from Gera Lario (San Bartolomeo, Montemezzo, Monti di Trezzone); they are grouped together because they’re very similar in difficulty and have the same starting point.

1. Bolla del Piazzuscel (from Rezzonico, west side of the lake)

Final Index: 1314.9 | 9.5 km | D+ 911 m | avg 9.6% | max +20% | 227→1138 m

On this climb, it is just you, your bike, and the road. Traffic is almost nonexistent, but your legs will get no real relief. Every now and then, a short stretch seems to offer a moment of relief—but it never really does. Just when you think it is over, the final kilometer somehow manages to make things even worse. At the top, the reward is perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the climb: no bar, no mountain hut, no comforts, and no one there to congratulate you. Just a small lake at the end of the road, nature all around, and the satisfaction of reaching a place that very few riders ever reach. At that point, turn the bike around and head back down, enjoying the views and, above all, the fact that the hardest part is finally behind you.

Bolla del Piazzuscel is the hardest and least-known climb around Lake Como. A perfect climb for riders looking to venture beyond the beaten path: brutally hard, wild, and with a character all its own.

2. Rifugio Venini (from Argegno → San Fedele → Pigra → Venini)

Final Index: 1311.1 | 22.4 km | D+ 1449 m | avg 6.5% | max (200 m) 11.7% | 212→1567 m

Lots of climbing, lots of effort, but surrounded by the kind of nature you can only dream of from the lake: beech woods, pine forests, lake views—and yes… every now and then you’ll share the road with cows and goats (they usually have a better cadence than we do, but don’t tell them). An endless climb, but so beautiful it will leave you speechless. Reaching the top is a must: the historic Rifugio Venini awaits for food and drink, plus an unbeatable panorama. Note: if you hear cowbells, it’s not your heart-rate monitor malfunctioning.

3. Muro di Sormano—Lombardy’s Classic “Wall” (from Sormano)

Final Index: 1245.0 | 1.7 km | D+ 273 m | avg 16.2% | max (200 m) 19.4% | 835→1108 m

The Muro is a legend having been featured multiple times in Il Lombardia; it’s short, insanely steep, and psychological. The Muro isn’t explained—you endure it. It is the toughest bike path in the world, every single meter is marked with progressive altitude, which, more than encouraging, is demoralizing.

4. Alpe Oneda (from Valbrona → Corni di Canzo up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 1187.9 | 4.3 km | D+ 510 m | avg 12.0% | max (200 m) 17.9% | 485→995 m

From Valbrona toward Alpe Oneda and up, in the direction of Corni di Canzo, Alpe Oneda is a climb that really grinds you down. Biting gradients, broken rhythm, and lots of mountain around you—the perfect test for anyone who loves tough ascents with very few “easy” sections. Just before the halfway point, you’ll find a barrier that forbids cars. Go past it and keep suffering!

5. Alpe Giumello (from Bellano → Vendrogno → Giumello)

Final Index: 1165.7 | 19.7 km | D+ 1347 m | avg 6.8% | max (200 m) 12.1% | 207→1545 m

When you climb Alpe Giumello from the lake via Vendrogno, meter by meter, the altitude and kilometers start to weigh on you. Giumello is a proper climb: long, steady, but never boring. It is ideal if you want a complete “climb,” with a crazy-good panorama and almost no traffic.

6. Roccoli Lorla (from Dervio → Rifugio Roccoli Lorla parking, Lavadè)

Final Index: 1097.1 | 17.7 km | D+ 1241 m | avg 7.0% | max (200 m) 12.6% | 226→1449 m

When you climb Alpe Giumello from the lake via Vendrogno, meter by meter, the altitude and kilometers start to weigh on you. Giumello is a proper climb: long, steady, but never boring. It is ideal if you want a complete “climb,” with a crazy-good panorama and almost no traffic.

7. The Gera Lario “Triple” (climbs similar difficulty with the same starting point)

7(a) San Bartolomeo (from Gera Lario → San Bartolomeo up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 1023.7 | 11.3 km | D+ 988 m | avg 8.7% | max (200 m) 14.4% | 216→1204 m

Part of the Gera Lario “Triple,” San Bartomoleo is the queen of the three, for both beauty and difficulty. You climb with purpose on a road that gains altitude above the Alto Lario: narrow and raw, with countless lake views—especially near the top. This climb is great for training rhythm and endurance on gradients that don’t forgive distractions.

7(b) Montemezzo (from Gera Lario → Montemezzo up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 967.7 | 12.9 km | D+ 1038 m | avg 8.1% | max (200 m) 13.3% | 217→1255 m

The Montemezzo climb shares the first part with San Bartolomeo—same base, same effort, at this point twin climbs! The middle section is the hardest; the final section is the most beautiful! The panorama over the upper lake is wonderful.

7(c) Monti di Trezzone (from Gera Lario → Monti di Trezzone up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 969.8 | 6.1 km | D+ 582 m | avg 9.6% | max (200 m) 17.8% | 217→799 m

Third of the “Gera Lario” group, Monti di Trezzone has the same area, same hard, steady climb. Monti di Trezzone is less famous but very real—shorter, but with nasty pitches here and there and plenty of proper climbing right to the end of the asphalt.

8. Cremia-Canua (end of asphalt)

Final Index: 974.8 | 6.2 km | D+ 640 m | avg 10.3% | max (200 m) 17.9% | 221→861 m

From San Vito, the climb enters the woods and points toward Rifugio La Canua. It’s a secluded, very quiet road; the idea is to keep going until the asphalt ends. If you’re on a road bike, no hut: for that you’ll need an MTB (or a gravel bike if you’re in great shape). Note: Car access can be regulated; by bike you can pass without problems, cars not always (of course this is better for cyclists!). Up here the climb is silent, until your inner commentary starts.

9. Cainallo (from Olginate → Cainallo up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 961.5 | 18.1 km | D+ 1201 m | avg 6.6% | max (200 m) 13.4% | 210→1411 m

Cainallo is a tough climb... Serious kilometers, altitude that keeps rising, and a finale for real climbers. After you finish, it’s worth continuing up to nearby Passo Agueglio. The view is worth it!

10. SuperSuperGhisallo (from Bellagio → SuperSuperGhisallo up to end of asphalt)

Final Index: 880.2 | 12.2 km | D+ 930 m | avg 7.7% | max (200 m) 14.1% | 247→1176 m

The SuperSuperGhisallo is our “home climb,” as it starts right from the shop. This is the perfect “summary” of Lake Como. In 12 km you get the jump from “Bellagio chaos” to real silence; the transition from olive trees and lake light to pine forests and mountain air; beautiful lake views. If you want to start understanding Lake Como in cyclist mode, this is the intensive course.