Photo: Evan Verni / Unsplash
About This Route
This cross-border circuit links Como, Lake Lugano, Porlezza, Menaggio, Varenna and the eastern shore of Lake Como. It combines busy waterfront roads, a Swiss border crossing and a vehicle ferry, so the day requires more planning than the modest distance suggests.
Route plan
- Como to LuganoLeave Como via the Chiasso border and continue toward Lugano on ordinary roads. Avoid the Swiss A2 motorway unless you have the required vignette, and carry valid travel documents.
- Lugano to Porlezza and MenaggioFollow the northern side of Lake Lugano toward Gandria and Porlezza, then cross the low ridge to Menaggio. The road is narrow in settlements and busy around border commuting times.
- Menaggio to Varenna by ferryUse the central-lake vehicle ferry to cross from Menaggio to Varenna. Check the current timetable and motorcycle acceptance before departure; queues can disrupt a tightly planned day.
- Varenna to ComoReturn south via Bellano and Lecco before following the eastern branch toward Como. This section mixes tunnels, town traffic and short lake views rather than continuous waterfront riding.
What the road is really like
This is a scenic touring circuit, not a continuous sequence of open bends. The western lake and Lugano approaches are narrow, urban and heavily shared; the riding becomes easier between towns but tunnels and junctions repeatedly break the rhythm.
The main workload comes from traffic, navigation and border choices. Cobbled access streets, wet tunnel exits, buses and pedestrians deserve more attention than lean angle. A middleweight or touring bike is ideal, though low-speed balance matters with luggage.
Planning the day
The revised 135 km estimate assumes ordinary roads, the central-lake ferry and no long village detours. Allow most of a day. Check the ferry schedule, carry passport or national identity card and download maps for both Italy and Switzerland.
A Swiss motorway vignette is required only if you use roads covered by the motorway charge; it is not a general border fee. ZTL rules apply independently in Italian lake towns, so park outside signed restricted areas and never follow another vehicle through an active camera gate.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Como, Lugano. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Bellagio, Varenna are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Tourist traffic; Narrow tunnels.
- Lake road traffic
- Ferry schedules
- The route crosses into Switzerland (Swiss motorway vignette needed for Swiss N-roads) and lakeside towns (Bellagio, Varenna, Como) have camera-enforced ZTL zones; summer traffic is heavy — check current conditions.
Who this route suits
Lakes Como & Lugano Circuit works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Touring, Adventure, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Visit Bellagio
- Take the car ferry shortcuts
- Bring passport for Switzerland