Cycling the Tour of Lombardy: routes and legendary climbs
Cycling the Tour of Lombardy and the Italian Lakes: Ghisallo, Muro di Sormano, Lake Como. Routes, tips, recommendations, and turnkey cycling trips.
The Tour of Lombardy is the final major classic of the season, the "classica delle foglie morte" (classic of the falling leaves) that sets the Italian lakes ablaze every autumn. Above all, it is an exceptional playground for cyclists. Lake Como, with its villages clinging to the mountainsides, legendary mountain passes, and ferries, turns a simple ride into a true adventure. Join us as we head to Northern Italy: history, routes, iconic climbs, practical tips, and our top recommendations.
At a glance
- The 2026 Tour of Lombardy : Saturday, October 10, 120th edition, from Bergamo to Como. Approximately 239 km and 4,600 m of elevation gain.
- The legendary climbs : Madonna del Ghisallo (754 m), the Muro di Sormano (17% average gradient!), followed by the Civiglio and San Fermo in the finale.
- The best time to ride : From mid-March to late October, with May and September leading the pack.
- The Bellagio–Cadenabbia ferry crosses the lake in under 15 minutes, bikes allowed on board, for about €5.60 per person.
- Your KoMunity format : Sportive peloton, discovery trip, or corporate retreat. We organize, you ride.
The Italian Lakes, an exceptional playground (Como, Maggiore, Garda)
The Italian lakes form a triptych. Lake Como occupies the north of Lombardy, Lake Maggiore is shared between Lombardy and Piedmont, and Lake Garda stretches further to the east.
Lake Como remains the clear favorite for cyclists. Its inverted "Y" shape gives you two branches to explore, with Bellagio perched at the tip of the promontory like a balcony over the water. On the western shore, you pass through villages like Menaggio. On the Como branch, the road leading to Bellagio passes through Nesso and its spectacular Orrido gorge. To the east, the road heads toward Lecco. Between the shores, ferries allow you to piece together your route like a puzzle.
Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore) is the second-largest lake in Italy, shared between Lombardy and Piedmont, with Switzerland to the north. On the Piedmont side, Stresa is the departure point for boats to the Borromean Islands: Isola Bella, Isola Madre, and Isola dei Pescatori.
Lake Garda, which extends further south, offers smoother roads and beautiful climbs above the Veronese shore. But if you want to tackle the climbs of the Tour of Lombardy (Il Lombardia, in the original Italian), Lake Como is where you need to be.
Cycling around Lake Como is a classic of Italian cycle touring. It’s a bit like cycling around Lake Annecy, just longer: the route remains generally flat, everything is within reach, and the scenery is sublime.
The Tour of Lombardy, the "Race of the Falling Leaves" (history and roll of honor)
Born in 1905, Il Lombardia is one of the oldest Italian classics still being raced. Its roll of honor features the greatest names in cycling. It is nicknamed the "Race of the Falling Leaves" because it closes out the season: the chestnut forests turn ochre and the roads are covered in colorful leaves. As the last of the five Monuments of the season, it almost always crowns a climber, with victory often decided in the final climbs and descents.
In terms of the roll of honor, two names stand above the rest. Fausto Coppi, with five victories (1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, and 1954). And Tadej Pogačar, with five consecutive wins from 2021 to 2025, a streak no one had ever achieved before. The Slovenian has equaled the record of the "Campionissimo." For French cycling fans, Il Lombardia holds a special place. It's Thibaut Pinot's favourite race. In 2018 he pulled off a true masterpiece there: he cracked Vincenzo Nibali in the finale and crossed the line alone in Como (watch the highlights here). To this day, he remains the last Frenchman to win the Tour of Lombardy.
The 2026 edition, the 120th, starts in Bergamo and finishes in Como. On the program: approximately 239 km, 4,600 m of elevation gain, nine climbs, and a 22 km final circuit around Como. Climbers will find their terrain here: Selvino, Berbenno, Valpiana, the Madonna del Ghisallo, followed by the double pass over San Fermo della Battaglia and the Civiglio.
Good news: these roads are open to all cyclists, all year round.
Did you know? In Magreglio, at the summit of the Ghisallo pass (754 m), the Madonna del Ghisallo was proclaimed the patron saint of cyclists by Pope Pius XII in 1949. Inside the sanctuary are votive offerings left by riders and bikes belonging to champions, including that of Fabio Casartelli. Right next door, the Museo del Ghisallo, which opened on October 14, 2006, tells the story of a century of cycling across three levels. You can find bikes belonging to Bartali and Coppi, as well as a section dedicated to women's cycling and another to paracycling. It is open every day from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, from the first Saturday in March to November 1st. Remember to check the hours before your visit at +39 031 965 885.
The route and the climbs: Madonna del Ghisallo, Muro di Sormano, Civiglio, San Fermo
The Tour of Lombardy route features a series of sharp climbs: the gradients ramp up quickly and the descents require technical skill. Here are the four ascents you should know.
Madonna del Ghisallo, the sanctuary of cyclists
From Bellagio: 10.6 km, 532 m of elevation gain, 5.2% average gradient, with sections reaching 11%. It is the most accessible of the four. You climb in the shade of chestnut trees, with the lake shrinking behind you. At the top, the sanctuary and the museum give you a good excuse for a long break. Afterward, head toward Asso and the Vallassina, or descend back to Bellagio.
Muro di Sormano, 1.9 km at an average of 17%
The Muro di Sormano is 1.2 miles long with an average gradient of 17% and peaks of 27%. Its switchbacks force you to look straight up at the sky. Added to the route in 1960 by organizer Vincenzo Torriani, it was used from 1960 to 1962, then removed. It returned in 2012 (history of the Muro), but it is frequently left off the route due to its extreme difficulty. It is not on the program for the 2026 edition.
The road was repaved in 2006 and closed to motorized traffic: you can climb without cars, but the slope itself pulls no punches. Thibaut Pinot set the fastest race ascent in 2018, clocking in at 8 minutes and 48 seconds, according to the Muro di Sormano profile. On the Strava segment, Luca Vergallito holds the KOM with a time of 7 minutes and 44 seconds. If you plan to tackle it, make sure to bring lower gearing than usual.
Civiglio and San Fermo, the finale
In the final circuit around Como, two wildcards decide the race. Civiglio, which summits at 614m, is 4km at 9.7%—short, very steep, and followed by a technical descent. Then there is San Fermo della Battaglia, which is on the program twice this year. This is where the peloton blows apart and the crowds pack the roadside.
Riding the roads of Lombardy: our tips (season, gear, ferry, traffic)
Want to ride these legendary roads? Here is everything you need to know.
Season.
The ideal window is from mid-March to the end of October. The most pleasant months are May and September: mild temperatures, long days, and dry roads. April and October are quieter but more unpredictable. In July and August, temperatures reach 79–82°F (26–28°C) and it gets very crowded with tourists: head out early in the morning.
Traffic.
On weekdays, traffic remains reasonable. On weekends, it is heavier, especially around Como. From May to August, motorcycles approach quickly on the lakeside roads: stay to the right, ride in single file, and signal your turns.
Ferry.
The Bellagio–Cadenabbia ferry crosses the lake in less than 15 minutes and saves you the detour around the point. Expect to pay about €5.60 per person, bike included. Bikes are loaded based on available space, and the captain may limit the number: arrive early. Tickets purchased on board cost more. Check schedules and fares each season at navigazionelaghi.it.
Practical tips: gearing, windbreakers, and battery.
For the Muro di Sormano, plan on at least a 34x30 gear ratio, and ideally something even easier: a 17% average grade is no joke. A windbreaker is essential: the lake breeze (the breva) and the shaded descents will cool you down very quickly, even in September. As for water, fountains are rare in the mountain hamlets, so fill your bottles in the village before you start the climb. And if you're riding an e-bike, you can make it up the Sormano, but be sure to manage your battery.
Where to sleep, eat, and stop around Lake Como
To rent a bike
- To rent your bike (and get a guided tour to the Ghisallo) : Bike It! Bellagio, Via Valassina 103, Bellagio. Road bikes, e-road bikes, gravel, or mountain bikes: they have it all, and they also offer guided rides to the Madonna del Ghisallo. Open from mid-March to early November. Tel: +39 334 975 1604.
To grab a bite
- The family-run trattoria for authentic lake fish : Trattoria San Giacomo, Salita Serbelloni 45, Bellagio. Homemade pasta, perch risotto, tagliolini with missoltino… It’s just like eating at nonna’s house. They don't take reservations, so get there early.
- For a seasonal plate in the heart of Bellagio : B-Lake Restaurant, Salita Camillo Benso di Cavour 7. Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, lake fish, and seasonal ingredients.
- To dine on a terrace in the village square : Torre del Gusto, Piazza della Chiesa 12, Bellagio. Northern Italian cuisine, pasta, and fish. Remember to book ahead.
- For a meal (almost) right on the water : Ristorante Genazzini 1788, Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini 1, Bellagio. Located in the Palazzo Genazzini, right on the lakefront. Lake fish, Oggiono ham, and Valsassina gorgonzola.
- A quick stop before getting back in the saddle : Passion Como, Via Adamo del Pero 35, Como. No table service here: just build your own panini or focaccia and you're on your way. Perfect for recharging your batteries.
For a drink
- The reward after the Ghisallo : Aperitivo Et Al, Salita Serbelloni 34, Bellagio. A wine bar and shop with a great selection of Italian wines by the glass and a few local plates to pair them with.
- The best spot for a sunset drink facing the lake : Bar Sanremo, Via Lungo Lario Manzoni 40, Bellagio. A bar, pastry shop, and ice cream parlor run by the Bellini family for 40 years, featuring a waterfront garden facing Tremezzina and Menaggio.
Where to stay
- To treat yourself, with nothing but the lake on the horizon : Il Sereno Lago di Como, Via Torrazza 10, Torno, about 6 km from Como. A designer hotel by Patricia Urquiola, with suites opening onto the lake and an infinity pool right at the water's edge.
- The upscale stop just steps from the ferry : The Lake Como EDITION, Via Regina 41, Cadenabbia (municipality of Griante). A renovated 19th-century palazzo on the western shore facing Bellagio. 148 rooms, a floating pool on the lake, a private dock, and restaurants by chef Mauro Colagreco.
- To settle in right in the heart of Como, car-free : Chiocciola: your home away from home, in a pedestrian zone, 5 minutes from the lake and 10 minutes from the train stations. Entire home for 2 people, with one bedroom, a double bed, an interior courtyard, and a view of the city.
- For unplugging (and the pool) : Forêt verte, Ixihome, in Marchirolo, in the province of Varese. Entire home for 4 people, with one bedroom, two beds, a private balcony, and a magnificent view. It’s not on the shores of Lake Como: this is the best option if you’re looking for peace and quiet and have a car.
And our favorite villages
- Bellagio, the pearl of the lake and the starting point for the Ghisallo climb. One of the liveliest villages in the area.
- Menaggio, on the western shore, for strolling around Piazza Garibaldi.
- Nesso and its Orrido, for a breathtaking nature break: two streams meet in a gorge, spanned by the Civera bridge (Orrido di Nesso). From Piazza Castello, expect 300 steps down… and just as many back up. Don't do this in cycling shoes!
Conclusion: your Tour of Lombardy by bike starts here
As you can see, the Tour of Lombardy is more than just a bike race. It’s an entire region perfect for a cycling trip, from the Ghisallo sanctuary to the Sormano switchbacks for the more athletic, or the lakeside roads from Bellagio to Menaggio for a more relaxed loop.
If you want to head out with KoMunity, write to us using our contact form or fill out our custom trip planning form.
We are currently working on organizing a group trip, our cycling camps for enthusiasts. Stay tuned!
