Ghisallo Cycling Chapel tour from Bellagio: road or e-bike

Ride the climb that has tested champions since 1919

This 3.5-hour guided cycling tour departs Bellagio and climbs to the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Chapel and Ghisallo Cycling Museum, the spiritual center of Italian cycling culture. You choose between a Bianchi Infinito road bike or T-Tronik e-bike, ride the official ascent of the Giro di Lombardia—a route steeped in cycling history—and visit both the sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists and the museum's collection of memorabilia spanning over a century. A local English-speaking guide leads the group, and entry to the museum is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Pilgrimage ride to cycling chapel and museum

• Start at bike shop
• Ride scenic route to chapel
• Visit Madonna del Ghisallo Sanctuary
• Explore Cycling Museum
• Return to bike shop

The Experience

Three and a half hours, starting from the bike shop in Bellagio. The route climbs the same switchbacks that have been part of the Giro di Lombardia since 1919, the professional cycling race that has tested champions and drawn pilgrims to this climb for over a century. Every turn reveals a new angle of Lake Como below, and the ascent itself is the draw—not a means to an end, but the reason riders come back.

At the summit sits the Madonna del Ghisallo Sanctuary, a chapel dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists, and the Cycling Museum just beside it. The museum holds memorabilia, race jerseys, and artifacts that tell the story of Italian cycling culture from its earliest days. Both are stops on the tour, and entry to the museum is included. A local guide who speaks English leads the ride and knows the history of the climb and the stories behind what you'll see inside.

You pick your bike before you start: a Bianchi Infinito road bike for speed and tradition, or a T-Tronik e-bike if you want the motor to ease the steeper sections. Either way, the bike, helmet, and water bottle are provided. The tour begins and ends at the bike shop, so there's no scramble to return the bike to a different location. Moderate fitness is needed for the climb; the ascent is real and the switchbacks are steep, but the e-bike option removes some of that demand.

What’s included

• Bianchi Infinito road bike or T-Tronik e-bike with helmet and water bottle.
• local English-speaking guide.
• entrance to the Ghisallo Cycling Museum.
• pickup at Banca Intesa on reservation.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Bike It! Bellagio

Is this one for you?The climb demands moderate fitness and a few hours of steady pedaling, so it suits riders who are comfortable on a bike and ready for a real ascent—the e-bike option is there if you want the motor to carry some of the load up the switchbacks.

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Top questions

Can I do this tour if I prefer an e-bike over a road bike?

Yes—the T-Tronik e-bike is available as your choice at the start of the tour. The motor assists on the climb, making the ascent less physically demanding while you still ride the same legendary Giro di Lombardia route.

What is the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Chapel?

The Madonna del Ghisallo Sanctuary sits at the summit and is dedicated to the patron saint of cyclists. It's a pilgrimage site for cycling enthusiasts and has stood as a spiritual landmark on this climb since the early 20th century.

How steep is the climb from Bellagio?

The ascent follows the official Giro di Lombardia route with winding switchbacks that gain elevation steadily. It's challenging enough to have tested professional cyclists for over a century, so moderate fitness is required—the e-bike option reduces the physical demand if you need it.

Is the museum entry included in the tour price?

Yes—entrance to the Ghisallo Cycling Museum is included. The museum holds memorabilia and artifacts celebrating over a century of Italian cycling history.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at the bike shop in Bellagio. Pickup is available at Banca Intesa on reservation, so you can arrange to be collected before the ride begins.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and Italian, so you'll hear the history of the climb and the cycling culture in English throughout the tour.