Ticino Lakes Cycle
6 Days Starting and ending in Losone
Visiting: Losone, Bellinzona, Ascona, Maggia, Lugano
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TCL
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
When staying in Ticino, you could easily forget you are in Switzerland. The palm tree lined lakes of Lugano and Maggiore, which have that Mediterranean sparkle, and Italian influences - from the language to the architecture - seem a world away from the reality of its position as Switzerland's southern most canton. Surrounded by snowy peaks and glaciers nearby, enjoy Italian food while admiring the spectacular Swiss mountain landscapes. This centre based cycling trip provides exceptional daily excursions from the comfort of your relaxing spa hotel. Visit the medieval city of Bellinzona, the regions capital, where you can explore old castles, hidden alleyways and the old city wall. Discover the Botanical Gardens on the island of Brissago, home to over 1600 plant species during your day trip to postcard perfect Ascona. Your rides to Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano will truly immerse you into the Italian Dolce Vita way of life with colourful villages, typical stone church towers and wonderful frescos all providing a great break from the bike as you explore them before rewarding yourself with a well deserved coffee, gelato or lunch at a grotto in the piazza. Despite the nearby mountains you should only be challenged by a few small ascents making the rides suitable for even novice cyclists.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Losone
Location: Losone
Accommodation Name: 4 star hotel
Today is simply an arrival day. After checking in to your accommodation the rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the many facilities on offer at the hotel.
Day 2 : Cycle To Bellinzona (Approx. 56Km/34Mi)
Location: Bellinzona
Meals Included: Breakfast
The first ride of your week of wonderful rides will head in the direction of Locarno along the lake promenade. Cycle through the flat Magadino area, past small forests and big farms, until you reach the city walls of Ticino’s capital, Bellinzona. On arrival it's time to take a break from the bikes so you can encounter the many old castles, seemingly hidden parts of the city and the old city wall. After you've enjoyed Bellinzona it's time to return to the hotel, cycling past many romantic towns on your way back to Losone.Distance: 56km/34mi, +265m/869ft - 265m/869ft
Day 3 : Circuit Ride To Ascona, Ferry To The Isles Of Brissago (Approx. 23Km/14.29Mi)
Location: Ascona
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's ride will take you to Switzerland's lowest town, Ascona. Your route will take you to the centre of Ascona, where you can leave your bike behind and take the ferry to the isle of Brissago to visit The Botanical Gardens, which houses around 1700 plant species. Back in Ascona the route leads you from the busier city centre out along small roads to the outskirts of the valley Centovalli. Here you have to face one short uphill section before cycling through sleepy villages. The route then connects you to on an easy path back to Losone.Distance: 23km/14.29mi, +160m/524ft - 160m/524ft
Day 4 : Cycle Into The Maggia Valley (Approx. 20Km/12.4Mi)
Location: Maggia
Meals Included: Breakfast
For more than 50 kilometres the Maggia River runs through the Alps before finally reaching Lago Maggiore. Today you will experience some of the beauty that lines the river as you cycle past the waterfall at Monte Brolla en-route to the lovely town of Maggia. Here you have time to explore or relax and to visit the chapel of Santa Maria to view its wonderful frescos.Distance: 20km/12.4mi, +250m/820ft - 250m/820ft
Day 5 : Cycle From Melide Along The Shore Of Lake Lugano (19Km/11.8Mi)
Location: Lugano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin the morning by riding to Locarno then transferring to the train and head to Melide. Lake Lugano can definitely compete with beauty of Locarno and Ascona. The Italian ‘Dolce Vita’ lifestyle, colourful villages with the typical stone church towers and even palms trees (in the Alps?!) can be enjoyed today! It is a beautiful day out and nicely completes a week of cycling adventures in this stunning region.Distance: 19km/11.8mi, +255m/836ft - 195m/639ft
Day 6 : Trip Concludes
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trips concludes after breakfast.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotel -
5 breakfasts - buffet style
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5 nights in a 4 star hotel on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, including daily entrance to the spa, swimming pool
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Bicycle, 24 speed with pannier, helmet & bike computer (electric bike available - supplement applies)
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Train tickets Locarno-Melide, Lugano-Locarno (with bike)
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Ferry ticket to Isle of Brissago
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Digital Information pack including route notes and App per room booked
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Entrance to the castles of Bellinzona
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Emergency hotline
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Transport to and from Losone
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
What's Not Included
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Transport to and from Losone at start/end of trip
Transport to and from Losone at the start and end of the trip is not included.
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Lunches, dinners and beverages
Lunches, dinners, and beverages are not included.
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Tour guide
A tour guide is not included as this is a self-guided trip.
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
Meals not listed as included and drinks are excluded.
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Travel insurance - mandatory
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Entrance fees - unless specified
Entrance fees are not included unless specified.
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Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday
A guide is not included as this is a self-guided cycling holiday.
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A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
A supplement applies if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Paper documents on arrival, request at time of booking
Paper documents on arrival are not included unless requested at the time of booking.
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Hotel/Tourist tax
Hotel/Tourist tax is not included and costs CHF6.
10 per person, per night. -
Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
Grading
GRADE 2 - daily cycles are between 25 and 55km/15.5 or 34mi on reasonably level to undulating terrain, surprising due to the surrounding mountainous scenery. The cycling is on low traffic side roads. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for beginners and children (children’s bikes and trailers available on request).
Accommodation
4 star hotel
Your hotel has a long history. Over decades the hotel has developed from a simple hostel to one of the most welcoming hotels in Switzerland. Today the old manor will charm you with its authentic interior and spacious rooms. You can relax under palm trees at the hotel pool or at the sandy beach, go for a swim in the nearby river Maggia, use the wellness area with hammam or try your luck on the hotel's own golf course.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour?
The accommodation provided is a 4-star hotel with a long history, owned by Mr. Glaus and his family. The hotel features an authentic interior, spacious rooms, a pool, a sandy beach, a wellness area with hammam, and a golf course.
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Are bicycles provided for the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour?
Yes, bicycles are provided for the tour. You will receive a 24-speed bicycle with a pannier, helmet, and bike computer. There is also an option to upgrade to an electric bike for an additional cost.
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Is the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour suitable for beginners?
Yes, the tour is considered suitable for beginners and children. The daily cycles are on reasonably level to undulating terrain, and the cycling is on low traffic side roads. A reasonable level of fitness is required to participate fully.
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What is the grading of the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour?
The tour is graded as INTRODUCTORY to MODERATE, which is Grade 2. Daily cycles range from 25 to 55 km on reasonably level to undulating terrain.
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What should I carry during the cycling days on the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour?
During the cycling days, you should carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Is the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour guided?
No, the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour is a self-guided cycling holiday. A digital information pack including route notes and an app is provided per room booked.
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What transport is included in the Ticino Lakes Cycle tour?
The tour includes train tickets from Locarno to Melide and Lugano to Locarno, ferry tickets to the Isle of Brissago, and transport to and from Losone.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.