Valtellina - Milano Italy and Switzerland by bicycle: individual tour, Bernina Express, Valtellina, Lake Como, Bellagio, Saint Moritz, Milano

This unique route takes you by bike from Switzerland to Italy, from the Alps to Milano, passing through Lake Como. From the “Sentiero Valtellina”, the bike path that crosses the Valtellina valley to Colico, offers a marvellous view of Lake Como and the surrounding mountains. Another emotion will be the boat that will take you to Bellagio, the pearl of the lake, where you can have a rest before reaching Lecco. From here you cycle along the river Adda, heading towards Vaprio D’Adda, on the border between the provinces of Milano and Bergamo. After leaving the Adda river, continue on the cycle path of the Martesana Canal. Along the way you spot old power plants, the first to supply electricity to the city of Milano. The genius of Leonardo da Vinci is said to have designed part of this channel. The landscape that accompanies you in Milano is a bit unexpected and characterized by farmhouses, magnificent villas, piers, old rural houses and villages, surrounded by landscaped gardens.

1st day  individual arrival in Tirano
Take advantage of your free time to stroll along the historic streets, where even the most hidden corners hide some fascinating memory of times gone by

Optional additional day: Tirano - St. Moritz (Bernina red train) - Tirano
A day full of wonder and strong emotions. The crossing of the Alps will make you live a unique experience: from Tirano to St. Moritz with return in the evening, with the famous Bernina red train. You will enjoy a breathtaking panorama, which will take you to the high altitudes of the Bernina Hospice (2253 m); the section from Thusis to Tirano is part of the UNESCO Heritage. Overnight in Tirano

2nd day Tirano – Colico 69 km
Today on Sunday you start cycling, and it’s an easy start, downhill along the Adda river. The Sentiero Valtellina will take you near the small village of Teglio, before reaching Sondrio, the capital of the province which bears the same name.
The first stage by bike ends in Morbegno, which is home to a beautiful old town. Walk along its narrow streets, admiring the beautiful facades of ancient buildings with small wrought-iron balconies. Visit the Church of St. John the Baptist, a baroque collegiate church built in 1680. One of the architectural symbols of the city is the Ganda Bridge, the only stone bridge over the Adda river. The Bitto stream, on the other hand, gives its name to the homonymous DOP cheese used to prepare the typical dish of Valtellina, pizzoccheri. Overnight stay in Colico

3rd day Round trip around Colico from 13 to 34 km (one way)
Depending on how you are fit, you can choose the bike tour that suits you best to discover the surroundings of Colico. You can  get lost in the hills near Colico by visiting the historic Fort of Montecchio, the best preserved First World War fortress in Europe, or the Fort of Fuentes, Spanish military building of 1600.
Or you can cycle along the lakeside promenade or practice one of the water sports offered by the area. Or maybe relax in the sun of the lake coast. Another possibility is offered by an itinerary to the North, in the direction of Lake Mezzola (13 km) or up to the city of Chiavenna (34 km). To return, you can bike the same route, which will be slightly downhill, or take the train. Overnight stay near Morbegno.

4th day  Colico – Bellagio – Lecco   2 boats trips
In the morning you take the boat to cross the lake to bring you to Bellagio, the pearl of Lake Como. Here you can stop for a meal or a drink while enjoying the beauty of the lake. In the late afternoon you will take again the boat to reach Lecco, the city where the writer Alessandro Manzoni set I promessi sposi.
Protected by numerous peaks, including the famous Grigne and Resegone, Lecco in the historic center still offers the remains of the fortified village, like the bridge of Azzone Visconti. Also worth seeing is the Teatro della Società and the church of St. Nicholas, whose high bell tower indicates the direction of the port. Overnight stay in Lecco.

5th day Lecco – Trezzo sull’Adda  37 km
The beautiful bike path on which you will start cycling today, will run slightly downhill along the river Adda and you will admire first natural scenery and then the works of human ingenuity, such as the impressive hydroelectric power plants. You will also find the signs of Leonardo da Vinci’s genius in the locks or in the ferry designed by him. And you will also see the places that seem to have inspired him to paint La Gioconda. Overnight stay in Trezzo sull’Adda.

6th day Trezzo sull’Adda – Milano  39 km
On your last bike ride you will cycle along the famous Martesana cycle path, a navigation channel designed by Leonardo Da Vinci and completed in 1496. Among the various places of interest are the stately villas (Villa Melzi in Vaprio, Villa Aitelli in Inzago, Villa Serbelloni in Gorgonzola, just to name a few), numerous mills, churches and ancient factories. Gradually you will approach Milano where you will spend the night. We advise you to extend your visit to Milano to appreciate its vitality, beauty and artistic heritage. Overnight stay in Milano.

7th day Milan
After breakfast, end of the bike tour. To discover and visit the artistic and cultural beauties of Milan, it is advisable to stay one more night 

Travel type  individual

Departures  every Saturday (7-day version) or Friday (8-day version) from March to October; not available in August. Other dates of your choice for a minimum of 5 people

Duration  7 days/6 nights

Difficulty level easy

Total km  171/192 approx.

Type of bike  city bike

Luggage transport  yes

Information meeting/briefing  yes

Tour price per person  € 1159.--

The price includes

Overnight stays in 3*/4* hotels with breakfast

Luggage transport from one structure to another

Tour from Colico to Bellagio and up to Lecco by boat

Information material, maps and detailed description of the itinerary

Personalized app with the Gps Tracks

Medical/luggage insurance 24 hours a day

Emergency telephone support

Registration fee

The price does not include

Travel to reach the meeting and return locations

Tourist tax in hotels

Lunches and dinners

Visits and entrance fees

Tips

Personal extras in general

Anything not specified under "the price includes"

On request

Tour cancellation insurance

Additional nights in Tirano and Milan

Tirano is about 170 km from Milan, passing through the SS 38 (Milan-Lecco-Sondrio); it takes about 2 and a half hours by train; it is possible to organize transfers from the airports to the starting point, price on request. (including bike)

To book, fill out and send the registration form; pay 25% of the participation fee; pay the balance about one month before departure.