Lake Como Mountain Biking Trails & Off-Road Routes

Rent an E-MTB or MTB and explore Lake Como offroad! These mountainbike rides are organized according to level of technical difficulty (singletrek, rocks and roots, steep uphill and downhill, tight switchbacks, stairs, etc.). All of these rides are difficult in terms of elevation gain, so unless you mountainbike regularly and do a lot of climbing, we recommend renting the Bianchi E-Omnia X-Type E-MTB or the Full-Suspension E-Vertic for hard and epic level routes (you will thank yourself later!) 
If you have never mountainbiked before, please do not attempt the hard or epic rides. The trail networks here are not marked well--a GPS rental is needed for most rides. 
Description of levels by technical difficulty
EASY: trails are dirt, cobblestones, with very few stones and roots, there could be some steep sections uphill but not downhill
MEDIUM: Trails could have some sections with loose stones and tree roots, some narrow trail sections but no dropoffs, some small, cobblestone stairs downhill could be present on route
HARD (*Full Suspension E-MTB highly recommended): Trails with loose stones, tree roots, narrow passages, some singletrack sections, downhill switchbacks and cobbled steps, possible sections with dropoffs, best to rent a full-suspension bike
EPIC (*Full Suspension E-MTB highly recommended): Same as hard, but with more steep sections both up and downhill, demanding routes on a physical level even with an E-MTB, best to rent a full-suspension bike

EASY RIDES

Starting Point

GHISALLO FAMILY E-XPERIENCE | 20 KM | 800 M ELEVATION GAIN                                                               Bellagio
The perfect little ride to fully enjoy the mountainside above Bellagio, passing by some of the most beautiful viewpoints and along some of the roads that have played a big part in cycling history. Don’t miss seeing the Madonna del Ghisallo (protector of cyclists!) chapel and Cycling museum. Halfway down the descent to Bellagio, we recommend stopping at the Baita Belvedere for a coffee break or lunch with a view!
SCENIC ROUTE 65 | 35 KM | 1000 M ELEVATION GAIN   ​                                                                                             Varenna
​RIFUGIO MARTINA: from lake to sky | 26 KM | 1000 M ELEVATION GAIN  ​                                           bellagio

MEDIUM RIDES

Starting Point

ONNO & GHISALLINO TRAIL MIX | 35 KM | 900 M ELEVATION GAIN                                                                 bellagio
VARENNA THE BEAUTIFUL | 20KM | 550 M ELEVATION GAIN                                                                                 varenna
THE NORTH FACE: TRAIL MIX | 65 KM | 350 M ELEVATION GAIN                                             cadenabbia/menaggio
menaggio trail mix | 35 km | 850 m elevation gain                                                              cadenabbia/menaggio
the wayfarer's trail biking version | 34 km | 700 m elevation gain                                      varenna
rifugio martina offroad | 30km | 1100 m elevation gain                                                                         bellagio

HARD RIDES (Full-Suspension)

Starting Point

lago e monti | 20 km | 900 m elevation gain                                                                                                                varenna​
scenic route 65: reach the peak! | 25 km | 1050 m elevation gain                                                      varenna
bellagio flow | 34 KM | 1200 M ELEVATION GAIN                                                                                                         bellagio
​MONTE TREMEZZO: DOWNHILL DREAMS | 34 km                                                                        cadenabbia/ menaggio 
This ride’s descent is without a doubt the best there is on Lake Como. From the top of Monte Tremezzo (1680m a.s.l.) you descend right to the lakeside, all on trails along the old military roads and forts that were built in the early 1900s to defend the Italian-Swiss border against Northern invasions. Take the cable car up to Pigra from Argegno, to start on an asphalt road with no traffic until the peak! Before descending, take a break at Rifugio Venini for a snack.
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*Given the technical difficulty and potential downhill dangers of this ride we recommend it for very advanced riders with downhill experience and confidence.
barni & bellagio double downhill | 35km | 1000 m elevation gain                                                 bellagio

EPIC RIDES (Full-suspension)

Starting Point

Dorsale del Triangolo Lariano (Ridge Trail) | 35km | 1500m elevation gain
​ como to bellagio 1-way ride
The most classic and renown route of the area, it takes you from Como to Bellagio riding along the mountain crest of the Larian Triangle. A transfer to Como will be necessary to begin, unless you’re already staying in the city. We suggest avoiding the first part of the climb out of Como as it’s entirely on asphalt, and instead taking the cable car up to start! Along this route, we suggest at least one pit stop at one of the many mountain lodges (‘rifugi’) to enjoy a nice hot meal and wonderful scenery. A guide is recommended for safety reasons and facilitated navigation.
Level of difficulty: Epic​; for advanced riders with MTB experience only, no beginners
Monte san primo: Reach the peak! | 50km | 1700m elevation gain                                               bellagio
L'epica | 20km | 1000m elevation                                                                                                                                         bellagio