Cycling Holidays - Lake Como and the Bernina Pass

Lake Como and the Bernina Pass

Take in the stunning beauty of lake Como on this seven-night trip and experience one of Europe's most scenic train journeys, the spectacular Bernina Express / Bernina Red Train, which winds its way through the Swiss Alps to St Moritz. Your tour begins in Tirano, where you will cycle through medieval villages and visit Romanesque churches, before you take the mountain railway to the renowned ski resort of St Moritz.

The next stage of the journey is through stunning Alpine mountains and forests and past sparkling lakes, along the cycle route of Val Chiavenna. After stops at fascinating lakeside towns, a Cistercian Abbey and the Sanctuary of the “Madonna of Sassella”, the tour ends in Tirano where there is more time to explore the historic centre.

This scenic circular trip through the Swiss and Italian Alps is mainly on dedicated cycle paths, which makes it perfect for beginners and more experienced cyclists alike. Above all you will be able to taste the typical specialities of the Valtellina, like the bresaola and the pizzoccheri together with a good glass of nebbiolo.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1: Tirano

Arrival. At only 2 kilometres from the Swiss border, Tirano is located at the crossroads between Valtellina and Valposchiavo and is the terminus of the Bernina Express, a spectacular mountain railway, which climbs over the Alps and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008.

Day 2: Tirano-Grosio (35 km)

Along the cycle path Sentiero Valtellina you go up along the river Adda as far as Grosio, an ancient medieval village dominated by two castles but inhabited since prehistoric times. After visiting the park and the Romanesque church of San Giorgio you pedal back to Tirano.

Day 3: Tirano - St. Moritz (25 km)

Leaving Tirano by train you travel across the beautiful Swiss alpine scenery as far as the Bernina Pass from where the downhill stretch to Pontresina and then St. Moritz begins. St. Moritz is the best known tourist resort of the Engadine, famous for its hot springs and stunning ski slopes.

Day 4: St. Moritz - Chiavenna (50 km)

Along the plateau of the Upper Engadine surrounded by mountains and forests you come across the lakes of Silvaplana, Champfèr and Sils. Once at the Maloja Pass, not far from the source of the river Inn, you go down to Val Bregaglia and continue cycling until you enter the Italian territory where the Cycle Route of Val Chiavenna begins. After the view of the imposing Acquafraggia waterfalls, celebrated by Leonardo da Vinci, you arrive in Chiavenna.

Day 5: Chiavenna - Colico (30 km)

The course of the river Mera takes you from Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola. Then you continue southwards along the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve until you come across the river Adda, which a little further flows into the Lake Como. Once in Colico, on the slopes of the Alps Orobie (Bergamo Alps), you can relax on the lakefront beach or you can reach the nearby town of Piona to visit its famous Cistercian abbey.

Day 6: Colico - Sondrio (50 km)

Along the bike path of the Sentiero Valtellina you reach Morbegno, known for the typical Bitto cheese. You continue always on the valley floor as far as the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Sassella, on the threshold of the town of Sondrio, the regional capital of the Valtellina.(Possibility to shorten the stage by taking the train).

Day 7: Sondrio - Tirano (30 km)

You continue on the path Sentiero Valtellina through little villages along the river Adda alongside the famous terraced vineyards of the Rhaetian slope, through little villages until you finally reach Tirano for one last visit to the historic centre and the Renaissance Basilica with its impressive organ and the chapel of the Apparition.

Day 8: Departure or Extend your holiday

Opportunity to extend your holiday in the Alps or on Lake Como.

Route Overview

Mainly flat with some short climbs. The route is mainly on paved cycle paths with some unpaved stretches, all in good condition.

Starting point of the cycling holiday: Tirano

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Route Profile:

Brief itinerary:	ROUTE PROFILE
Day 2: Tirano Grosio Tirano (30 km, vertical up 240 m).	The roundtrip is the same and follow the paved bike trail of the Valtellina. Up to Grosio, you ride in lightweight climb and on return, you can enjoy the descent to Tirano!

Day 3: Tirano-Saint Moritz (25 km, vertical up 110 m).	You leave Italy by train and reach the Bernina Pass in Swiss territory, 2,093 mt above sea level. Departures from Tirano at 7.41-9.00-9.41-11.00-11.40 a.m. From the train station Ospizio Bernina you start to go down the main road until you meet the unpaved cycling path that crosses Pontresina and finally arrives in Saint Moritz. There are some stretches of hard climb just before arriving in Saint Moritz. You can stay on board and reach Saint Moritz directly by train.

Day 4: Saint Moritz-Chiavenna (50 km, vertical up 80 m).	The first part of the route follows the not asphalted cycling path with short ups and downs. From Sils im Engadin you must cycle a few kilometers along the main road until you reach Maloggia. Then you’ll cycle the winding downhill of the Maloja Pass and from Casaccia you continue slightly downhill to the border between Switzerland and Italy where the pleasant Cycle Route Val Chiavenna begins. You can avoid the descent of Maloja Pass or even shorten the stage by using the PostBus service (www.postauto.ch/en).

Day 5: Chiavenna-Colico (35 km, vertical up 0 m).	Continue along the cycle path Val Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola. Near Dubino that crosses the Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve and includes some stretches of dirt road. Particular attention should be paid when crossing the bridge over the River Adda and in the last stretch of path that leads to Colico. You can reach Colico directly by train. Or you can shorten the stage by using the stops of Samolaco, Novate Mezzola, Verceia, Dubino. Not all trains have bike transport.

Day 6: Colico-Sondrio (50 km, vertical up 150 m).	You leave the Lake Como and go up the River Adda along the asphalted bike trail of the Valtellina. In Talamona is the cycle path interrupted by work in progress and you must proceed for a few kilometers along the busy main road. Again on Valtellina Path you finally arrive in Sondrio. You can reach Sondrio directly by train. Or you can shorten the stage by using the stops in Delebbio, Morbegno, Talamona, Ardenno-Masino, St. PeterBerbenno. Not all trains have bike transport.

Day 7: Sondrio-Tirano (30 km, vertical up 140 m).	A few kilometers after leaving Sondrio along Valtellina path you have to face some stretches of ups and downs. The second part of the stage does not provide special difficulties. You can reach Tirano directly by train. Or you can shorten the stage by using the intermediate stop Tresenda-Aprica-Teglio. Not all trains have bike transport.

Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Turin or Milan region airports to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

Tirano is connected with the following airports:
Milan 185 km, Verona 185 km, Bergamo 130 km, Venice 310 km
MILANO MALPENSA (MXP) - www.sea-aeroportimilano.it
Connection by shuttle bus/train + train:
- from airport to Milano Centrale train station: the Malpensa Express train leaves
every 30 minutes from 5:43 a.m. to 11:43 p.m. (transfer: ca. 50 min; ticket: 13 €).
There is also the Malpensa shuttle bus, which leaves from the airport about every
20 minutes, from 5 a.m. to 1.32 a.m. (transfer: ca. 50 minutes; ticket: 10 €);
- from Milano Centrale train station to Tirano: direct connections with regional
trains (transfer approx. 2.5 hours; ticket from 12 €).
VERONA VILLAFRANCA CATULLO (VRN) - www.aeroportoverona.it
Connection shuttle bus + train:
- from airport to Verona train station: every day the Aerobus shuttle service leaves
for the station of Verona Porta Nuova, first departures at 5.35, 6.30, then every 20
minutes until 20:30, then every 40 minutes until 23.10 (transfer: 15 min; ticket: 6
€);
- from Verona train station to Tirano: change in Milano Centrale, transfer: approx.
4.5 h.; ticket: 23/37 € depending on the type of train).
BERGAMO ORIO AL SERIO (BGY) - www.sacbo.it
Connection shuttle bus + train from Bergamo:
- from airport to Bergamo railway station: the airport bus line 1 leaves three times
per hour (transfer: 15 min; ticket: 2.30 €; www.atb.bergamo.it);
- from Bergamo train station to Tirano: regional train with change in Lecco
(transfer: 3 hours; ticket: about 12 €).
Connection shuttle bus + train from Milan:
- from airport to Milano Centrale railway station: Autostradale bus,Orio shuttle bus
and Terravision bus leave ca. every 30 minutes (transfer: approx. 1 hour; ticket: 5
€) - www.autostradale.it, www.orioshuttle.com, www.terrevision.eu;
- from Milano Centrale train station to Tirano: direct connections with regional
trains (transfer approx. 2.5 hours; ticket from 12 €).
VENEZIA MARCO POLO (VCE) - www.veniceairport.it
Connection shuttle bus + train:
- from airport to Venezia Mestre train station: the Fly Bus ATVO shuttle service
and also the bus ACTV line 15 leave every 30 minutes (transfer: about 20/25 min;
ticket: 8 €; www.atvo.it);
- from Venezia Mestre train station to Tirano: change in Milano Centrale (transfer:
approx. 5.5 hours; ticket: about 26/30 € depending on the type of train).
TRAINS
For further information on timetables and prices you can consult the following
website: www.trenitalia.com

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?
What’s Included?

The Lake Como and the Bernina Express cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
- 7 nights accomodation in 3 * Hotels (with the exception of St.Moritz)
- Daily Breakfast
- Welcome briefing in English
- Luggage transfers
- Train ticket on day 3 from Tirano to the Bernina Pass (inc bike)
- Route descriptions & maps
- 7-day local assistance hotline
Not Included
- Flights to/from the start and finish
- Evening meals (unless stated)
- Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
- Helmets
- Water Bottles
- Travel Insurance
- Bike Insurance (unless stated)
- Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
- Transfers (unless included)
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the bikes

Tough, stable and reliable, specially designed for you to saddle up for several days on the trot. Girolibero bikes are citybikes with an aluminium frame and kitted with responsive brakes and gears. Plus: mudguards, trip computers, comfort gel saddles, flat-palmed grips, Schwalbe Marathon anti-puncture tyres.

27-gear Unisex Citybike

A low entry unisex frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position. The number of gears varies by destination. In Italy, for instance, standard bikes have 27 gears, while in northern Europe they are generally fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).

27-gear Men's Citybike

Citybike with men's frame. The design and number of gears varies from country to country. As with unisex bikes, for example, bikes for our Italian tours have 21/24 gears, while in northern Europe they are usually fitted with 7 gears and a pedal brake (although bikes with more gears and conventional breaks can sometimes be requested).

Electric Bike Upgrades

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 755 5385.

Bosch Active Line

Low-entry frame
Bosch batteries Power Packs of top safety and long life (36 V - 13,4 Ah Capacity - 500 Wh available power).
Bosch motor Active Line, located centrally (250 Watt, engine torque 50 Nm).
Gears: Shimano Deore 9-speed.
Range: approx 90 km (flat terrain, average speed).

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.

Hotels

This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.

Please note that the hotel list is subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.

Lake Como and the Bernina Express	Sample Hotel List
Tirano	Hotel Corona
St Moritz	Hotel Soldanella
Chiavenna	Hotel San Lorenzo
Colico	Hotel Risi
Sondrio	Hotel Europa
Tirano	Hotel Centrale Tirano

You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.

Date & Prices

You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.

2019 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	08.06 – 21.09.2019	Saturdays

Category A Information:

Season	Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1:	£849
Single Supplement Upgrade:	£229
E-Bike Upgrade:	£109

Hotel Category Descriptions:

Category Type	Accommodation Overview
Category A:	3 * Hotels (with the exception of St.Moritz)

EXTRA NIGHT PER PERSON PER NIGHT PRICES ( YOU WILL STAY IN THE SAME HOTEL AS PER THE CYCLE TOUR):

Location	Price DBL/BB	Single Supplement SGL/BB
Tirano:	£69	£85

Date From	Date To
08 June 2019	21 September 2019

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