Pedal and discover the territory

with the bicycles of the Museum

Thanks to two important projects, the Interreg program with the MULM project, developed with the Villoresi Consortium as parent company, and the Rural Development Program 2014-2020 – European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe invests in rural areas, in collaboration with the Lago di Como Gal, it is possible to ride in the area using the bicycles available at the Ghisallo museum.

The models available are both muscular and electric.

To use the bicycles, you can contact the museum

by email at info@museodelghisallo.it
by phone

Reservations are required

THE CYCLING MUSEUM

ride around

SCOLLINARE WITH MAGNI

Climbing the Ghisallo hill is really very challenging. When you see the outline of the church and, today, of the museum, you feel a great relief. Especially for someone like me who has never been a climber, the relief is great.

Fiorenzo Magni to Giovanni Zavatta (Roman Observer)

THE PROVINCE OF COMO

The territory of the province of Como is “A world unique in the world”, a land of history and innovation, of traditions and avant-garde, of sport and relaxation, of breathtaking views and artistic wonders.
On foot, by mountain bike, on horseback or by boat: these are just some of the alternatives to discover the territory of the province of Como, characterized by numerous varied and unusual landscape itineraries: high mountain roads or paths in the hills, wild nature or gardens well-kept overhanging the lake, relaxing boat trips or thrills and thrills in a seaplane.
In recent years, the provincial tourist vocation has been strengthened thanks to policies of safeguarding and promoting these precious territorial resources, so that anyone can enjoy them with the means of transport they prefer. The Como area offers a lot in a small space and visiting it means discovering unusual things, deepening particular interests, experiencing the landscape without settling for clichés and obviousness.

Magreglio

Magreglio (Magrej in Brianza dialect), about 640 inhabitants, is one of the small towns that dot the hills overlooking the lake.
It rises 754 meters above sea level. and it is the classic destination for weekend cyclists, as well as professionals, who choose this destination to reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Ghisallo, protector of cyclists.
From the magnificent Belvedere Romeo terrace, on which the sanctuary stands, you can admire the Grigne (2409 meters above sea level), the surrounding mountains and the eastern branch of the lake up to Lecco. From the opposite side the view extends to the promontory of Bellagio: a famous tourist resort, known internationally, the town is known for its artistic and naturalistic beauties.

IL SANTUARIO DEL GHISALLO

The small sanctuary stands at the top of the climb of the Colle del Ghisallo. The current building dates back to 1623, as a transformation of a pre-existing chapel. Its name (according to ancient legend) derives from Count Ghisallo: attacked and pursued by bandits, the count invoked the protection of the Virgin Mary, to whom he promised to build a church in her honor on top of the hill where he sought refuge, if he were been saved.
Similarly, from the beginning of the twentieth century, cyclists who arrived at the sanctuary began to thank and invoke the protection of the Virgin Mother for their exploits. It is thanks to this tradition, which arose spontaneously, that the Madonna del Ghisallo was dedicated to cyclists, becoming their patroness in 1949 with the papal bull of Pius XII, following the passionate interest of the parish priest Don Ermelindo Viganò. For the occasion, the historic procession took place that carried the torch, still placed in the center of the church, from Rome to Ghisallo, led by a relay of cyclists. The two riding the last leg of the relay, who arrived at the chapel with the torch, were Bartali and Coppi.
Inside the church are exhibited various relics, shirts and bicycles, of famous champions of all times.
Thanks to this cycling tradition, the Larian triangle has developed a series of services for those who wish to spend a cycling holiday. In fact, the area offers several shops specialized in rental and delivery of bicycles (road, MTB and electric), sale of clothing and equipment, bicycle cleaning, advice on routes, guided tours and all the assistance needed for a holiday on two wheels. Visits to the Sanctuary are organized every day of the week during the season (March-November).
The Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum could only arise in this place, to tell the story of cycling and its champions of all times and all nationalities like nowhere else in the world. It stands right on the Belvedere Romeo, constituting a single complex together with the sanctuary and the monument of cyclists.

THE LARIAN VILLAS

The Larian villas with their parks and gardens are unique both for their architectural and landscape value and for the treasures they contain. Their construction mostly dates back to the period between 1500 and 1800: the shores of the lake are enriched with splendid villas, equipped with sometimes enormous and always refined parks, and they are always places of delight and relationship, showcases of family wealth and of political importance.

The sumptuousness of the buildings and parks make us understand how the Lario basin was between the 1700s and 1800s, a true Italian Versailles, where kings, emperors, men of art and science were first regular guests and then enthusiastic supporters.

Among the many we mention Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, famous for the flowering of azaleas of which it boasts over 150 different varieties, which also houses some sculptures by Canova. In Lenno we find Villa Balbianello, considered the symbol of Lake Como and the elegant Villa Olmo at the gates of the Larian capital, a prestigious venue for exhibitions and art exhibitions.

BELLAGIO

Due to its position, its temperate climate and its conformation, Bellagio can be chosen and remembered with pleasure for very different types of holidays, from quiet ones by the lake to sporting ones in the area.

Among the most famous gardens that can be visited: that of the neoclassical Villa Serbelloni – Rockefeller Foundation, also with tropical plants. Then there is Villa Melzi, whose park was created by the same architects of the gardens of the Villa Reale in Monza, also in Bellagio as Villa Serbelloni, with its gigantic park.

The Bellagio area is also ideal for sports holidays. Sailing, water skiing, kayaking and rowing are practiced on the lake, while trekking and cycling routes wind through the promontory, with breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Madonna del Ghisallo

Get on your bike

MADONNA DEL GHISALLO

the most famous climb – the one to which cyclists usually refer – is the one called the “Madonna del Ghisallo”, the most difficult side, which starts in Bellagio (north side) from the roundabout just outside the town along the Via Valassina ( SP41).
The total difference in height of the climb is 500 m, with the steepest section at 14% with an average gradient of about 8%. Including the flat section, in the middle of the climb, the average arrives is 5.5%. The best professionals go up to Ghisallo in less than 20 minutes! Paolo Bettini climbed it in 19’30 “in the 2005 Giro di Lombardia.

IL GHISALLINO

The south side of Ghisallo is the one that leads to the sanctuary passing through Erba, Longone, Canzo, Asso and Barni. A long but easy way to reach the cycling sanctuary and museum. This climb is called “Ghisallino”, or “Piccolo Ghisallo”, due to its simplicity compared to the north side.

SUPERGHISALLO

It is also possible to take the so-called “Superghisallo”: so called by the Gazzetta dello Sport in presenting the 55th edition of the Giro di Lombardia in 1961, it is an alternative route to the previous two which, climbing from Bellagio in the locality of Guello, turns right at the height of a tiny yellow church, the ascent of the super Ghisallo ends at 975 meters above sea level. in the locality of Pian Rancio. From here you go down to the Colma del Ghisallo where you can visit the Sanctuary and the Museum.

IL MURO DI SORMANO

There is also another infamous climb in the area: that of the Muro di Sormano, also known only as “the wall”. 1.8 km long with an average gradient of 18% and a maximum of 25%. It is the officially hardest cycle path in the world. The Wall was ridden for 3 years at the Giro di Lombardia from 1960 to 1962, after which it was abandoned for 50 years because it was too difficult … even for professionals! Since 2012 the Muro has been included again in the route of the Giro di Lombardia. It can be reached by following the signs for Sormano, before entering the town of Asso, turn right and go up to Sormano, at the exit of the village on the left, there is the detour to “il Muro”. The Wall can be avoided by following the carriage road. Both roads rejoin the Colma di Sormano at 1100 meters. s.l.m. where you can refuel at Bar La Colma and enjoy the viewpoint.
Continuing with a challenging descent of about 15km you reach the town of Nesso, 15km from Como and 15km from Bellagio.