HOTEL BEL SIT - LAKE VARESE

HOTEL BEL SIT – LAGO DI VARESE

32km - 2 hours - medium difficulty

A 30km itinerary starting from our hotel and descending towards Voltorre to connect to the cycling lane around Lake Varese.

Starting from the Bel Sit hotel in Comerio, we take a section of the SS394 road in the direction of Gavirate and turn left next to Via Beut. From here, a long downhill stretch with some tight curves will lead us down towards Voltorre, taking first Via Piave, then Via Case Nuove to the famous Cloister, which was included in the list of National Monuments in 1911.
It is a group of buildings comprising the actual cloister, a tower, the Church and some other constructions to the South. Historical sources have allowed scholars to date its construction between the years 1100 and 1150.

Leaving the heritage site, we cross the SP1 road to connect to the cycling route, where we turn left in the direction of Calcinate del Pesce, a village famed for the presence of a landing strip for glider planes. Continuing on, we reach the area in front of the Schiranna beach. This part of the lakeside belongs to the Municipality of Varese; recent renovation works have made it a fine setting for relaxing strolls, walking alongside the lido and inside the Zanzi Park. There is also a motorcycle workshop managed by the MV Agusta brand, which used to be a division of Cagiva. For the world of commerce, an important event is certainly the yearly Varese City Expo, generally held at the beginning of September.

Continuing along the cycling lane, we soon encounter the village of Capolago. In the past, there used to be a small port on the lake, where events and parties were often held, but nowadays in order to visit the village it is necessary to leave the cycling lane. The next small town we encounter on the shore of the lake is Buguggiate, but in order to reach it we need to go up its hill, leaving the cycling lane behind. The town of Erbamolle, of medieval origins, is very characteristic; it is possible to visit its church.

Immediately after Buguggiate we find Azzate, another town built on high ground, where we will encounter sixteenth- and seventeenth-century villas. On the shore there is the small church of the Madonnina del Lago: a celebration in honor of Our Lady of the Lake is held here each year in October.

After Azzate we find Galliate Lombardo, located just few kilometers away from the lake: the cycling lane crosses its territory for only a few hundred meters. Now we are in Bodio Lomnago where it is possible to take a pleasant and relaxing walk thanks to recent refurbishment works on the shore. Recently, archeological finds have been dug here, presenting strong evidence of prehistoric settlements in this area.

Continuing our tour, we reach Cazzago Brabbia, famous for the three ice boxes, the most ancient in the lake district, which used to be filled with ice and snow, to preserve food. The swamp beside the village is a bird reservation managed by LIPU, and can be visited.

We then find the town of Biandronno, famous for the archaeological findings dug here, including remains of ancient pile-dwellings. In the village there is a wharf from which boats depart for the Isolino Virginia, another prehistoric settlement. The landscape in this area has interesting stretches of beach, and the cycling route runs on the lake-shore in some parts. This area is also highly developed industrially and economically, with the presence of major industries such as MV Agusta and Whirlpool.

After Biandronno we find Bardello, where the river by same name rushes from Lake Varese to Lake Maggiore. This is another area where remains of ancient pile-dwellings have been found, here at the Northern tip of the lake.
The main town around Lake Varese is Gavirate, its large territory fractioned in numerous hamlets, some on the lake-shores, some further inland. There is a lovely lakeside promenade, with a fireworks display each summer.

We have found our way back to the road connecting to the Cloister of Voltorre and must take it, crossing the village and, unfortunately, pedaling back up Via Beut, this time uphill! Upon reaching the main road, we turn right and return to the hotel.