Do you love the road cycling climbs?
We have created a list of climbing Segments and a interactive map for the Italian-Swiss Lake District (find out below), showcasing 100+ Strava Climbing Segments in the Region.
Expect lots of hills, rolling roads and flat roads along lakeside roads only.
Climbs range from short, sharp efforts of 2 to 5 km (1.2 – 3.1 mi) to sustained ascents of 5 to 10 km (3.1 – 6.2 mi) or more, with average gradients sitting between 6% and 10%. Sometime the average grandient grows to about 12% - 13% with some uphill sections.
There aren't sharp shocks or "walls" (like 15% - 20% gradients).
The typical local climb is a steady effort. It's the kind of hill where you'll need to drop into your easiest gears and maintain a consistent pace. That's demanding, but you can do it.
To enjoy this rides, you must have a good level of fitness and be proficient in basic bike handling skills, particularly descending, cornering, and safe braking.
We suggest a compact crankset (50/34) and an 11-28 cassette.
Strava climbing Segments: map and list
If you're looking to explore Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Varese, and Como by bike, this resource will help you plan your routes and discover the area's incredible cycling potential.
Explore the lakes by bike, and prepare to be amazed.
The map of Strava climbing Segments
100+ road cycling climbs.
The map shows the location of the climbs around the Italian and Swiss Lakes (Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Varese).
Click on the markers for a pop up with the name of the climb and a link on Strava to more info. Their names are in native language. Sometimes a climbing segment covers a part of the climb or covers two consecutive climbs. Enjoy the route planning.
The list of Strava climbing Segments
Their names are in native language.
Road cycling climbs by locals
Discover hidden cycling gems in the Italian-Swiss Lake District. Local riders have mapped incredible climbs, offering unforgettable experiences for road cyclists. Expect challenging hills, stunning valleys, and breathtaking lake views – flat roads are rare here! Explore the little-known routes around Lakes Maggiore, Lugano, and Varese, both in Switzerland and Italy, and test your fitness on the numerous Strava climbing segments.
There is a climb above Locarno you’ve probably never heard of it: Lake Naret climb. Hidden in the Swiss part of the Alps, this tough, quiet, long climb has several beautiful dams/lakes (31.2 km – 19.3 mi, avg. 6%, max. 14%, elevation 1,800 m - 5,900 ft).
What is Strava?
Essentially, Strava is an App that helps you track your fitness, connect with other active people, and motivate yourself to improve.
A way to track your exercise:
- It uses GPS to record your runs, bike rides, and other activities.
- It keeps track of things like distance, speed, and elevation.
A social network for athletes:
- You can share your workouts with friends and other people.
- You can see their workouts and give them "kudos" (like likes).
- It also allows for some friendly competition, by comparing times on sections of routes, called "segments".
