Pedaling in the Cool, 7 Itineraries to Discover by Bike

(by Ida Bini) Riding a bicycle along shaded paths that follow the course of refreshing rivers: the Cycle Tourism Fair highlights three destinations where spend a holiday on two wheels immersed in nature between mountain landscapes, crystal clear lakes and heritage hills of UNESCO. The proposals offer some itineraries for different levels of preparation to be faced as a family, as a couple, with friends or even alone, and discover authentic places and flavors unique in escaping the heat that grips the cities. With over 40 itineraries divided by difficulty, length and difference in altitude, the province of Varese is full of routes to take by bike. In particular two itineraries, very different but suggestive, offer unique experiences. The first, the 'Lake Maggiore Family tour', is perfect for a relaxing ride and immersive with the whole family: it is flat and for 20-30 km runs along the banks of the Verbano, on cycle paths and easy dirt roads, accessible by mountain bike or gravel (dirt bike). Yes cross the protected areas of the Bruschera oasis, from which you can enjoy an unparalleled view of the Rocca di Angera, and the Parco Golfo della Quassa, with its tree-lined avenues between estates historical and relaxing green corners. Those who are looking for a technical challenge can be found along the 'Alpeggi' route Italian-Swiss through the glacial lake' in the Valli del Verbano: it is a tour for experts, ideal for e-MTB, which develops over 30-50 km with over a thousand metres of altitude difference. It starts from Maccagno with a challenging climb through woods and alpine pastures, followed by a technical and adrenaline-filled descent while the stretch final offers a regenerating break on the lakeside. In this case training is essential but the reward is an intense and memorable experience, in the presence of one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Prealps. The Veneto region offers bike trips that are also routes between landscapes, flavours and cultures: the 'Dolomites-Venice' itinerary (I4)' is 250 km long, divided into five stages, with difficulty medium and no challenging climbs. We start from Cortina d'Ampezzo and descends gently along a former railway transformed into a cycle path, immersed in the woods and Alpine panoramas of Cadore. You cross the Forest of Cansiglio, the Santa Croce lake, the Fadalto pass and the hills of Prosecco with stops in suggestive locations such as Vittorio Veneto, Conegliano and Treviso. Finally, it runs along the Sile river on dirt tracks immersed in nature, until reaching Mestre and Venice. Between medieval castles, cities of art and a landscape that changes every day, this itinerary offers also a rich gastronomic variety, from Alpine flavours to those of the lagoon. The tour passes through other itineraries that are worth the travel: the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer an experience that combines nature, history and charm unmistakable of a territory sculpted by time and by the rows. Here, between suspended villages and vineyards, cycle tourism is expressed in two paths as different as they are fascinating, capable of satisfy both the most trained athletes and those who love to enjoy the landscape with the help of e-bike. For experienced cyclists the Ring on the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene is a real challenge: over 100 km of asphalt between steep climbs and panoramic descents between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene which culminates on the legendary climb of Cà del Poggio, made famous by the Giro d'Italia. Suitable for everyone, but not less suggestive, is the e-bike tour on the Unesco Hills, a a circular route of about twenty kilometers that starts from Villa Brandolini, headquarters of the Prosecco Protection Consortium Conegliano Valdobbiadene Docg, and passes through symbolic places such as the Molinetto della Croda. It is ideal for those who want to enjoy slowly the beauty of the Venetian landscape, between tastings, local history and postcard shots. Finally for an active but relaxing holiday, surrounded by the green and far from the chaos, Valtellina offers two itineraries cycle paths, suitable for everyone, including families with children. The 'Sentiero Valtellina' is a 114 km cycle/pedestrian path almost completely flat starting from Colico, on the lake of Como, and reaches Bormio, in Alta Valtellina. Following the course of the Adda river, you cross vineyards, apple orchards, villages and green areas, with numerous picnic areas and farmhouses, where stop for a tasty break. It is also perfect for those who do not have your own bike, thanks to the convenient Rent a Bike service with pick up and drop off points along the route. Shorter but equally scenic is the 'Valchiavenna cycle path', 40 km of valley floor that goes from Colico up to Val Bregaglia, on the border with Switzerland. Along the way you cross Chiavenna with its alpine atmosphere, the historic village of Piuro, the spectacular Acquafraggia waterfalls and the refined Palazzo Vertemate Franchi. Here the bike becomes a means of explore the valley which is a crossroads of cultures, with a soul which mixes Alpine suggestions and Central European influences.