Lake Como is also known as Lario Lake and is located at the foot of the Alps, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region. Como Lake is the 3rd largest lake it Italy and borders Switzerland. Along its path, It follows a characteristic inverted "Y" shape that is given by the three branches that compose it: Colico to the north, Lecco to the south-east and Como to the south-west. Como Lake is not far from Milan in the north of Italy.

Como lake is famous for its breathtaking landscape views of the lake, the beautiful little towns, picturesque villages overlooking the lake and luxurious villas and  views on its shore. Among the many well-known seaside resorts are Como, Lecco, the picturesque town of Bellagio where Lake Como separates into two branches, Tremezzo, Menaggio and Varenna.

There are many ways to admire Como lake which is surrounded by the scenery of the Pre-Alps, and wherever you look the famous panoramic view of Monte Legnone - The Pyramid of Lake Como (2609 meters above sea level) is a mountain north-west of the Bergamo Alps in Lombardy, in northern Italy.

It is located between the valleys of Valsassina and Valtellina near Lake Como and is the highest point of the Orobie Prealps in the province of Lecco. The lake has been a well-known refuge for the rich and aristocrats since Roman times but it was also a famous and breathtaking place that in the 19th century gave inspiration to the greatest poets and musicians, including Alessandro Manzoni, Giuseppe Verdi, Stendhal, George Gordon Byron, Franz Liszt and others.

Tour highlights

•   At Como Lake there is an important historical event - it was the scene of Benito Mussolini‘s attempted escape in WWII. While trying to reach Switzerland, he was recognized by a group of partisans in the village of Dongo and was captured by partisan forces on Apri 27th, 1943 and then was executed in the locality of Azzano (currently hamlet of Tremezzina).  There is a cross that stands on the exact spot where the fascist leader was executed.

•  The most famous and historic villas to visit are the following: Villa Carlotta, Villa Melzi d'Eril, Villa Balbianello, Villa Olmo, Villa Erba, Villa Monastero, Villa Serbelloni and Villa Bermasconi.

•  The ancient "statale" Regina Vecchia road is located on the shores of Como lake from Carate to Argegno. Short cycle paths are connected from Carate Urio and Laglio and you pass through many visible villas, including Villa Oleandra which was constructed in the 18th Century and which is located in Laglio and is now owned by the famous American actor and filmmaker George Clooney.

The cycle itinerary

My bike tour starts from the metropolis of the city of Milan and takes me along the entire perimeter of the Lario, touching both Como and Lecco. I completed my lake tour clockwise from Como, Menaggio, Colico, Lecco, Bellagio and back to Como. You have the best view of the lake to the right, and you're always exposed to the sun!

The tour itinerary

I left from Milan to Colico covering about 116 kilometers arriving in Colico where I finished my first stage and stayed for the night. Then, the next day in the company of my brother who was already in Colico and joined in the bike tour and with his company we passed through the towns of Lecco, Bellaggio, and the last stop Como city.

Days: 2 Days

Distance: Milan - Colico 116 Km

Distance: Colico - Lecco - Como  97.6 Km

Distance Total: 219 Km

Distance: Around The Lake: 160 Km