Cycling
Lake Como is a cyclists world heaven, and lodging in Menaggio, being at the Center of the Lake, is the best way to enjoy it. The Menaggio Youth Hostel "La Primula" it's an ideal affordable place to organize great cycling week-ends or weeks. We are open from March 15th to November 5th. Passes can be climbed at any time of the year; however, between March and June and September and October the air is fresher, it's not too hot and the colours of Spring and Autumn are spectacular. High passes open from May 1st to October 31st, the lower ones are open all year round.
Read testimonials hereWhat we can offer to cyclists is a variety of bike tours of one or more days, self assisted or with the availability of a van to reach the main starting point of the tours. We recommend bringing your own bike if you are planning to do a tour with significant climbing and descending. It is safer and more enjoyable. For your "pride and joys" we can offer secure dry storage; however, mountain bike rentals are available at the Hostel.
Weekend example.
Friday arrive at the Hostel from the Airport and visit Menaggio or Bellagio, lovely towns on the shores of Lake Como, start to assemble your bike and take an afternoon warm up ride. In the evening have a welcome dinner with us (telling us in advance if you have some particular food request).
Saturday do your main climb or tour (Stelvio, Splugen or Maloja Passes). You can start your bike tour directly from Menaggio, or better from a near starting point reachable with a van, which we can provide you for a fixed affordable rate.
Sunday Morning: climb of Ghisallo Pass above Bellagio visit the Madonna del Ghisallo (the only church in the World dedicated to cyclists) with the monument dedicated to Coppi and Bartali and visit the World Cycling Museum. Return to the Hostel for lunch and depart to the airport.
To enjoy your cycling opportunities better, we recommend arriving on Friday and leaving Monday morning. We also recommend week-long stays where you can plan with our assistance a variety of fine tours (see below), and make an easy day trip to Milano or Como if you want a break.
"Preparing for the Stelvio Pass using the Van which we have provided"
"The Cyclists ready to climb"
"Looking down from the top of the Stelvio. After a hard climb, a fast descent!"
"The curves of the Stevlio Pass"
"The cyclists overlooking Lake Como from Ghisallo"
At the Hostel we can provide energy drinks and snacks if necessary, and we can suggest all the places along your way where you can find specialist cycle shops.
Some tour examples departing from Menaggio Youth Hostel:
- Stelvio Pass, assisted by our van.
- Madonna del Ghisallo Pass, with World Cycling Shrine and World Cycling Museum
- Splugen Pass directly from Menaggio or with Ferry and Train
- Maloja Pass directly from Menaggio or with Ferry and Train
- Sighignola (the Balcony of Italy) directly from Menaggio
- The Round the Grigna Mountain Tour Directly from Menaggio
- Lake Como, Lake Lugano or Lake Maggiore Tours (the 3 Lakes Tour)
Testimonials
"After looking high and low for accommodation around Lake Como we came across The Menaggio Youth Hostel and what a find it was! At first we were sceptical about staying in a hostel with all our equipment and bikes but it didn't turn out to be a worry at all in fact it couldn't of worked out better!
The staff at the hostel were excellent and Fabio (manger) could not do enough to help us. He arranged transport to collect us from the ferry, suggested rides for us and also arranged a van and a driver to take us to climb the famous Stelvio Pass which was an experience that will never be forgotten. By the time we left the hostel it felt like we were leaving a family home rather than a hostel.
The hostel turned out to be a perfect base to explore the lake as it's situated beside the middle of the lake which gives you great access to the gorgeous surrounding areas which are truly breathtaking and you'll never tire of the amazing views.
From waking up in the morning and hearing the local cyclists whizz past under the balconies to sitting outside and eating the excellent fresh food after a long ride the hostel is perfect. The stay was truly memorable and the team and I will be back every year to explore the region and visit our Menaggio family!
Thank you to all at the hostel who truly made our stay unforgettable."
Ryan Russell "Myles of Italy" Amateur Cycling Group, London (UK)
