Gavirate – Biandronno – Bodio Lomnago – Azzate – Schiranna (Varese) – Calcinate – Voltorre – Gavirate
Starting the route anticlockwise from Gavirate takes you south towards Biandronno, during this first part of the ride you pass the jetty from where the boat takes visitors across to Isolino Virginia, where you can see the remains of a prehistoric pile-dwelling settlement.
As the route heads east you pass the turn-off for Lake Comabbio. This path takes you along the western edge of the LIPU Brabbia Marshes Nature Reserve for about 4 km (2.5 miles); you can also reach the nature reserve further along our route by heading towards Inarzo when you are near the village of Cazzago Brabbia. There are several good places with beaches and bars to stop for a break along the southern part of the lake, such as the lido in Cazzago Brabbia and the lido in Bodio Lomnago. The route then continues through some woods, by homes and farmhouses overlooking the lake, and past the church of Madonna del Lago in Azzate. Next you can enjoy an easy ride towards the lido at Schiranna, which is the largest lakeside recreation park on the lake and also known as the lido for the city of Varese. As you follow the north side of the lake you pass the gliding club at the airfield from where gliders take off on sunny days to fly silently over the lake and the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, which is on your right. If you have time as you ride though Voltorre, visit the cloister as it is a finely preserved example of Lombard Romanesque architecture and now hosts exhibitions and cultural events on a regular basis. Not far after Voltorre the route takes you back to the lakefront at Gavirate where the ride began.
MUST SEE:
DETAILS:
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 28 km
- Difficulty: easy
- Starting and arrival point: Gavirate
