Italy’s mountain refuges offer amazing atmosphere, hearty food and spectacular views – we travel the back roads of the Val d’Intelvi to reach this one-of-a-kind place.
Departing from the charming agricultural hamlet of Cardano in Grandola ed Uniti with it’s cobbled streets and stone houses, we head in the direction of Lake Lugano. Our route today crosses the quiet natural reserve of Lake Piano and the shores of Lake Lugano before heading uphill and into the Val d’Intelvi. Gorgeous shady mountain roads take us ever closer to our destination. As you head out of the forest you find yourself in an vast wonderland of open fields and vistas. Live the rustic ambience and spirit of a well-loved mountain refuge as we taste traditional dishes with a breathtaking view of Lake Como as our backdrop. The joy of this tour is that we reach a spectacular destination, much loved by the locals while completely avoiding the busy main lake road.
Departing from the charming agricultural hamlet of Cardano in Grandola ed Uniti with it’s cobbled streets and stone houses, we head in the direction of Lake Lugano. Our route today crosses the quiet natural reserve of Lake Piano and the shores of Lake Lugano before heading uphill and into the Val d’Intelvi. Gorgeous shady mountain roads take us ever closer to our destination. As you head out of the forest you find yourself in an vast wonderland of open fields and vistas. Live the rustic ambience and spirit of a well-loved mountain refuge as we taste traditional dishes with a breathtaking view of Lake Como as our backdrop. The joy of this tour is that we reach a spectacular destination, much loved by the locals while completely avoiding the busy main lake road.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Grandola ed Uniti, Grandola ed Uniti, Lake Como, Lombardy
We start our tour in the quaint historic centre of Cardano. Dating back to the Renaissance, the village has been a coaching inn where the horses were changed on the way to Switzerland; it has been a railway station when the train existed between Menaggio and Lugano, and it is still today a lovely peaceful agricultural hamlet and home to the Bagatti Valescchi family villa. We cycle through the village and then head towards the open fields following the scenic cycle path.
Pass By: Lungolago Porlezza, Strada Statale 340, Porlezza Italy
We follow the Cucchio river all the way to Porlezza, the lakefront town on the Italian side of Lake Lugano. We are met by some lovely views of the lake before we start to cycle up into the mountains towards the Val d’Intelvi.
Stop At: Monte Galbiga, Como Italy
We cycle along forested roads all the way up the mountain, in the direction of Monte Galbiga. Your e-bike will assist you, but you should be prepared to cycle 20 kms uphill. We will stop for a typical mountain lunch in a ‘rifugio’or refuge once we reach the top of the mountain. From here we will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountain ranges
Duration: 1 hour
Location: Southern Europe » Italy » Lombardia » Lombardia
Commences: Codogna-Cardano, Italy
Duration: 6 hours
