This 7 day self guided tour is for every cyclist (slower, intermediate, advanced).
You can get a digital route pack for your level (distance, elevation gain, climbs).
The experience starts and ends in Varese and it's based on two hotels.
The package includes 7 nights of half-board accommodation, seamless luggage transfer between hotels (Hotel Ungheria and Colmegna on Lake Maggiore), and detailed navigation information for your routes (maps, descriptions, gpx files). Both hotels are family run.
On day 3 or 4 you have to transfer from Varese to Colmegna by bike and on day 6 or 7 you have to transfer back from Colmegna to Varese by bike.
Your luggage will be transferred for you by the hotels.
Just drop your luggage off at the reception in the morning when you go away and it magically appears at the the other hotel.
Please see below the plan and what is included in the self bike tour.
A self guided tour has the same cycling opportunities (locations, logistics and routes planning) as the:
guided gentle cycling tour for slower/recreational cyclists, or
guided cycling esperience for intermediate/advanced cyclists.
but without the lunches, the post ride lunches, the daily laundry service, roadside assistance/bicycle recovery, and ferry or train transfers.
The only differences between a self-guided tour and a guided tour are:
- Navigation: You are responsible for your own navigation.
- Exclusions: Lunches, post-ride lunches daily laundry service, roadside assistance/bicycle recovery, and ferry or train transfers are not included.
route information
Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Varese
We can help you with the guidance, information and our recommendations for places to see along the route.
We recommend a fair amount of daily routes around Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Varese (distance, description, elevation gain, stepness/lenght of the climbs, and gpx files) suit to:
- slower /recreational cyclists, up to 40-60 km (27-37 mi), flat, undulating with occasional small climbs,
- intermediate / enthusiast cyclists, up to 80-100 km (50-62 mi) with up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of climbing,
- advanced / challenging cyclists, over 100 km (62 mi) with over 1,000 m (3,280 ft) of climbing.
Choose the rides that match your fitness and cycling experience, so we can give you the digital route pack suit to your level.
Spot-on route planning is crucial.
Let us know what sort of routes are you comfortable for you.
Hilly, flat, or a bit of both. And what kind of distances you fancy clocking up each day, roughly.
It is also useful to know if you are in for demanding climbs or a more leisurely spin.
Self guided road bike tour
a Digital Route Pack
No sign-up required. No extra apps to download.
Everything you need to ride independently. Just download, connect, and ride the best rides.
What’s inside:
- Gpx tracks (Plug & Play). Download our verified, turn-by-turn Gpx files directly to your GPS device. Clean traces, optimized for cycling, with zero errors.
- No GPS device? No problem. You receive an exclusive link to our Google My Maps file for highlighting the routes. No sign-up required. No extra apps to download. Just click the link, and the full routes overlays instantly on your phone's Google Maps.
- We provide a detailed description of every ride.
The metrics: distance, total elevation gain.
The climbs: steepness and length details for every major ascent.
Here you are an example on Google My Maps we made for a guest of ours.
If you have any specific questions or want advice for your next bike tour, feel free to
message us.
We’d be happy to share our top tips with you.
7-day self guided road bike tour – 2026 dates & prices per person
Start location:
Varese
End location:
Varese
Duration:
7 days, 7 nights, 6 days of cycling
7-day self guided road bike tour - 2026 details
Basically, we sort out the logistical stuff, so you can just focus on enjoying the cycling and the scenery.
You can choose these dates for organizational reasons.
Let us know if you fancy different dates.
Check in on Saturday (Varese) - check out on Saturday (Varese)
- Saturday: check in at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Sunday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Monday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Tuesday: transfer by bike to Colmegna – stay at Relais Villa Porta on Lake Maggiore,
- Wednesday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Thursday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Friday: transfer by bike to Varese – stay at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Saturday: check out at Hotel Ungheria – Varese.
Check in on Sunday (Varese) - check out on Sunday (Varese)
- Sunday: check in at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Monday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Tuesday: transfer by bike to Colmegna – stay at Relais Villa Porta on Lake Maggiore,
- Wednesday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta ,
- Thursday: day of cycling – stay at Relais Villa Porta,
- Friday: transfer by bike to Varese – stay at Hotel Ungheria – Varese,
- Saturday: day of cycling – stay at Hotel Ungheria - Varese,
- Sunday: check out at Hotel Ungheria – Varese.
Book with confidence with our flexible: Terms & Conditions .
Can't find what are you looking for?
Please have a look at:
FAQS
If you have any specific questions or want advice for your next bike tour, feel free to message us.
We’d be happy to share our tips with you.
Included in self guided tour:
- 4 Nights in double room in Varese & 3 nights in apartment room in Colmegna
- 7 High-calorie continental breakfasts
- 6 Dinners (No on Sunday)
- Standard double occupancy
- Luggage transport when you move from one hotel to another
- The use of the jacuzzi tub and the sauna at Relais Villa Porta in Colmegna
- Navigation information (maps, description, gpx files)
- Safe storage with CCTV for your bike at the hotel
- Workstand tool bench for basic maintenance
- Washing and cleaning area for bikes
- Free Internet Wi-Fi
Not included:
- Bike hire
- Packed lunches, strengthened and protein content snack with bananas and sandwiches
- Post ride lunches when you go back to the hotel
- 1 Dinner (on Sunday)
- A skilled bike guide
- Any travel by ferry or train along the rides
- Daily laundry service for your cycle clothing
- Bicycle recovery assistance in case of breakdown
- Travel insurance
- Medical and physiotherapy services
- Transportaton to and from Varese
- Entrance fees Castles, Villas, Museums
- Any extra-beverage and other extras at dinner
Lake Maggiore – Lake Lugano – Varese - self guided bike tour
The Italian-Swiss Lake District provides a versatile cycling experience, accommodating various fitness levels and preferences. You can choose from relaxed lakeside routes to challenging mountain climbs, with options for customizable loops that return to your base.
The region's geography allows for easy exploration of both Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore, with opportunities to adjust ride lengths and difficulty. The presence of the AIS European Training Centre in Gavirate on Lake Varese indicates the area's suitability for serious training. The region's accessibility and diverse terrain make it an ideal cycling destination for those seeking flexibility and scenic rides.
The pros of a self guided tour
First off, it's just so much more flexible. You can set your own pace, stop whenever you fancy, and linger at those stunning viewpoints for as long as you like.
No pressure to keep up with the group or stick to a rigid schedule.
So self-guided cycling tours are basically awesome. You're the boss: No rigid schedules or having to stick to someone else's pace. You wanna stop for a snack? Go for it! Fancy a detour to that quirky little village you spotted on the map?
You're in charge!
And let's be honest, half the fun is in the discovery. Figuring out the route, navigating the back s, stopping for a coffee at a local cafe.
That's all part of the experience. Plus, you get to choose the kind of riding you want to do. One day it might be a challenging mountain climb, the next a leisurely ride along a scenic river.
Then there's the freedom. You don't have to rely on anyone else.
And these days, with all the cycling apps and GPS devices available, it's easier than ever to navigate and stay on track.
You have the tools to discover the region on your own terms.
So yeah, self-guided cycling holidays offer the perfect blend of adventure, freedom, and the joy of exploring at your own pace.
Photographer: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Copyright: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
Credit: Lakes Northern Italy Bike Tours
