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Road Bike recommended route

Half tour around Lake Maggiore

Road Bike · Ascona-Locarno
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  • Traghetto Laveno-Intra (I)
    Traghetto Laveno-Intra (I)
    Photo: Ascona-Locarno Tourism
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    Halfway around Lake Maggiore. The half tour around the lake is the perfect day trip on the road bike.
    moderate
    Distance 98.6 km
    5:40 h
    209 m
    226 m
    256 m
    193 m
    The start and finish of this almost 100 km long tour is Locarno, the small film town on Lake Maggiore. Across the Magadino plain to Gambarogno. Every village in Gambarogno has its own special charm and enchants its visitors with it.

    In Dirinella is the border crossing to Italy (Lombardy). From km 30 onwards, the road climbs and descends steadily to Laveno, where you can take the ferry to Intra. The climbs are mostly short, but they include some steep sections.

    The route passes Luino, where there is a market every Wednesday. Take the ferry to Intra (Piedmont) on the other side of the lake. Along the lake to Cannobio (Sunday market day) and further over the border back into Switzerland.

    Passing Brissago and Ascona, you reach the starting point at Locarno.

    • Total length: 98.6 km
    • Difference in altitude: +209 m/-226 m
    • Information on ferry timetable can be found here www.navigazionelaghi.it 

    Author’s recommendation

    As the roads are busy with commuter traffic during peak hours, we advise you to avoid these times. You should also bring an ID with you, as part of the tour goes through Italy.
    Profile picture of Mariano Berri
    Author
    Mariano Berri 
    Update: November 19, 2024
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    256 m
    Lowest point
    193 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 14.36%Forested/wild trail 0.62%Path 0.09%Road 80.48%Ferry crossing 4.43%
    Asphalt
    14.2 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.6 km
    Path
    0.1 km
    Road
    79.3 km
    Ferry crossing
    4.4 km
    Show elevation profile

    Coordinates

    SwissGrid
    2'705'236E 1'114'315N
    DD
    46.172086, 8.801341
    DMS
    46°10'19.5"N 8°48'04.8"E
    UTM
    32T 484665 5113186
    w3w 
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    • Road bike
    • Bike helmet
    • Cycling shoes
    • Adequate clothing
    • Bike googles
    • Cycling gloves
    • Bike pump
    • Bicycle tools
    • Sun and rain protection
    • Snacks and drinking water
    • Drink bottle and convenient fixture
    • First aid kit
    • Penknife
    • Mobile phone
    • Headlight and reflectors if necessary
    • Maps

    Similar routes nearby

    • Locarno-Mergoscia
    • Locarno-Sonogno
    • Gambarogno- Lago di Lugano Tour
    • Cannobina Valley Tour
    • Locarno-Vergeletto
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    98.6 km
    Duration
    5:40 h
    Ascent
    209 m
    Descent
    226 m
    Highest point
    256 m
    Lowest point
    193 m
    Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available

    Weather at the route's trailhead

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile

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