FOR TRAINED CYCLISTS WITH A DESIRE FOR HARD WORK AND ADVENTURE.
Organisation of activities
GPX track created ad hoc
Accompaniment with an official guide, including the Tour Leader as Cycling Tour Guide, FCI Instructor and Hiking Guide with active RCT insurance.
Mechanical assistance from Guides if necessary
Dedicated WA Group
Counselling call before the experience to help you prepare for it
Field training to help you increase knowledge and skills
Garmin Satellite Guide Inreach
Bike or cardboard bag storage
4 nights camping
Logistical support
A gift for all participants (work in progress!)
Participation certificate
Meals of the day
Any other independent overnight stays
Luggage transport during the bike tour
Early return transport, if any
any extra purchases of any kind
In general, everything not included under ‘Included in the price’.
Possible experiences such as visits to museums and the like, which we are organising but will not make compulsory.
Medical and accident insurance (to be done privately)
Lago Maggiore Bikepacking is a guided touring trip of approximately 400 kilometres and 6500 metres of altitude difference in the 7 Lakes region. It is in fact conceived, designed and created to get to know and discover all the cultural aspects from the shores of Lake Maggiore to the areas of the Novara Hills. It will be a journey full of surprises, discovery and culture. This version of the guided trip is designed in a ‘tent and camp’ manner. It will therefore be a real journey that winks at adventure, suitable for those who love this type of activity. It will not only be a trip, but also a training activity for this type of trip if you are perhaps at the beginning of this style of travel.
We will set off from the small Lake Mergozzo (Province of Verbania) and cycle along a stretch of the River Toce tributary and its nature reserve. We will arrive at the border of the Valgrande National Park and descend to pedal towards the northern part of the lake that enters Switzerland and then move towards Lombardy, discovering the valleys and lakes of Varese, Monate, Comabbio until we reach Sesto Calende. From here we will pedal along the historic canals of the Ticino river and head towards Novara, from where we will discover small villages and towns linked to the culture of wine. We will finally arrive at Lake Orta, where a final demanding climb will take us up the slopes of the Alto Vergante and Mottarone, rejoining Lake Maggiore.
SUITABLE BIKES: MTB, gravel bike with wide tyres, adventure bike.
DIFFICULT LEVEL
Technical difficulty level: 2/5
Physical difficulty level: 4/5
Adventure level: 3/5
The degree of difficulty of the Lago Maggiore Bikepacking gravel tour depends essentially on three factors:
variable daily distances
average positive altitude difference, high in two stages.
65% paved terrain and 35% fairly smooth gravel (some short pushing sections)
If you are an averagely trained traveller/traveller, you like cycling on smooth terrain with a few adventurous stretches and a good percentage of dirt road, you love alternating lake and mountain and hill rides in a setting of varied landscapes, culture, nature and gastronomy, this cycling trip to Lake Maggiore will give you a lot of satisfaction. This adventure will also provide you with many educational insights into the world of bikepacking, the mechanics of travel, as well as allowing you to discover all aspects of this great region from a unique perspective, in the saddle of your bike.
This below is only a brief summary. For the full programme click here LINK:
DAY 1: Overnight stay at the Lake
The first day will be your independent approach to the starting location: Mergozzo. There are various B&Bs in this area, but you can also decide to sleep in neighbouring areas, such as Verbania. My logistical support for cartons or bike bags will be offered if necessary if the facility does not offer to keep them. Consider that the departure of the trip will be the following day with a meeting at 8:00 a.m. in the square in Mergozzo.
DAY 2: We pedal! Mergozzo - Cannero 70km 1900d+
We begin to pedal between the Toce Nature Reserve gone towards the heights of Verbano. Mostly asphalt awaits us between secondary roads and some main ones to reduce the gradient. The climb will be long, so we need calm and patience. But the discovery that awaits us will repay any effort. We will come into contact with some dirt roads, in places unmade, bordering the Valgrande National Park. We will enjoy these heights before plunging headlong towards Lake Maggiore with its incredible views. We will stop in Cannero Riviera at the campsite.
DAY 3: Between Italy and Switzerland
Cannero - Ponte Tresa 90km 1500d+
We set off early to enjoy the day to the full and to avoid the traffic on the compulsory stretch of state road that takes us into Switzerland. We will discover this northern part of Lake Maggiore but we will only be there for a short time, returning immediately to Italy to start exploring the part of Lombardy. We will not, however, do Lake Maggiore, instead climbing the slopes of the Agra mountains and then doing a few stretches of dirt road and forest towards Ponte Tresa. Magnificent scenery and back roads will take us into another dimension of this journey.
DAY 4: Between Ticino and Novarese
Ponte Tresa - Galliate 95km 900d+
A smoother stage awaits us, through canals, churches, plains, hills. Easier climbs and long compact dirt roads will give us the chance to get our legs moving, leaving behind the climbs of the first part of the journey. A change of perspective will offer us other places, from the canals along the Ticino river, famous as a link to the Navigli of Milan. We will stop at the only campsite available in this area, to recharge our batteries and share the day's emotions.
DAY 5: Vigneti e Ricetti
Galliate - Orta 70km 500d+
Another softer stage, in fact very soft when compared to what we have done so far. But equally full of surprises. Today we will make a discovery between Novara and small villages linked to wine culture such as Ghemme, where we will see its ricetto and architecture. We will then head towards Lago D'orta, also known as ‘the most romantic lake in Italy’, here we will rest in view of the last glorious stage.
DAY 6: The last effort, spectacular views.
Orta - Mergozzo 60km 1100d+
Here we come to the last stage of the journey, the shortest but by no means trivial. A difficult and long climb awaits us, we will in fact climb the slopes of Mottarone, without reaching the top but enjoying the wonderful view of the 7 Lakes from a special vantage point seeing what we have done on our journey. After a few stretches of rough dirt roads, which will require calm and attention, we will continue our descent towards Lake Maggiore with a unique view of the Borromeo Gulf. We will finally return to Mergozzo, our starting point, for a final toast. Everyone will be free to return to their accommodation or to travel home.
Gravel, adventure bike or MTB in excellent mechanical condition with wide tyres (e.g. 700X45 or 29’ 2.2)
Helmet (mandatory to wear)
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Bike shoes and/or extras that are comfortable and allow you to ride on dirt roads.
Extra clothes for possible cold temperatures (rare but possible).
Rain and wind gear, such as a waterproof jacket, shoe covers and trouser covers
Bags to be able to put all material on the bike. We do not recommend the use of a rucksack as it can be a nuisance on the off-road track, however it will obviously not be prohibited!
Water bottles, repair kit and spare inner tubes.
Sun cream
Bike gloves
Front (white) and rear (red) lights
Basic maintenance kit (inner tubes, tyre changer, multitool)
Tent, mattress, sleeping bag
cooking kit (for those who want to cook their own meals)NB: a more detailed list will be provided to participants
