Bella Italia 2025 — 12 Days of Alpine Glory
The Bella Italia Tour (July 28 – August 8, 2025) delivered an unforgettable cycling journey through Italy’s most iconic landscapes — from the towering alpine switchbacks of Bormio, to the cross-border mountain beauty of Chiavenna, and the sparkling lakeside climbs of Bellagio.
Riders conquered giants like Passo dello Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo, Splügenpass, Maloja, Madonna del Ghisallo and even the fearsome Muro di Sormano, covering more than 815km and 18,800 metres of climbing in 12 incredible days.
Sunshine-filled mornings, café stops in stone villages, and dinners overlooking mountain valleys and Lake Como created a perfect balance of challenge and indulgence. As one rider said at the final dinner in Bellagio, “From the high Alps to the shores of Como… every day felt like another chapter in a cycling dream.”
📍 Our Three Cycling Bases
1️⃣ Bormio — The Heart of the Italian Alps
A legendary cycling town surrounded by giants — Stelvio, Gavia, Mortirolo. Perfect for high-altitude epics, glacial scenery, and cosy mountain trattorias.
2️⃣ Chiavenna — Alpine Gateway to Switzerland
A charming stone village with cobbled piazzas, cascading waterfalls and fast access to Splügenpass, Maloja and the wide, dramatic valleys of Switzerland’s southern side.
3️⃣ Bellagio — The Pearl of Lake Como
An elegant lakeside base offering iconic climbs like Madonna del Ghisallo and Muro di Sormano, plus sparkling water views, café culture, and stunning sunset dinners.
Climbs of Note:
Bormio Base — High-Alpine Legends
- Passo dello Stelvio (from Bormio · 40+ switchbacks)
- Passo Gavia
- Passo Mortirolo (one of the steepest in Pro Cycling)
- Torri di Fraele / Cancano Lakes
- Bormio 2000
Chiavenna Base — Cross-Border Mountain Majesty
- Splügenpass / Passo Spluga
- Maloja Pass
- Val Bregaglia Climbs & Rollers
- The waterfalls & alpine terraces of Valchiavenna
Bellagio Base — Lake Como Classics
- Madonna del Ghisallo (historic cycling chapel)
- Muro di Sormano (legendary steep ramp)
- Colma di Sormano
- Rolling Lake Como coastal climbs
Tour Highlights
The Bella Italia Tour unfolded as a breathtaking journey through the heart of Italy’s most legendary cycling terrain — from the high-alpine glory of Bormio, through the cross-border majesty of Chiavenna, and into the sparkling lakefront elegance of Bellagio. The opening days delivered the iconic climbs riders dream about: Passo dello Stelvio, Passo Gavia, and Mortirolo, rising through misty valleys, glacier views and endless switchbacks. Café stops in mountain refugios and dinners in Bormio’s cobbled old-town trattorias set a warm, social tone for the tour. One rider said it best over an espresso at the summit of Gavia: “This is the Italy cyclists imagine — big mountains, big views, and big smiles.”
The tour transitioned to Chiavenna, opening access to sweeping cross-border riding through Switzerland — including the elegant ascents of Splügenpass and Maloja Pass, surrounded by waterfalls, deep Alpine gorges and quiet forest roads. Each day blended altitude, scenery and atmosphere, with riders clocking long but rewarding kilometres under clear blue skies and cool mountain air. Evenings were spent sharing plates, stories and laughter in rustic stone-village restaurants. One guest summed up the mid-tour magic perfectly: “Every climb felt different, every descent felt like flying — this region is a hidden gem.”
The final chapter in Bellagio delivered a dramatic change in scenery — swapping high peaks for shimmering lake roads, olive groves and pastel-coloured villages. Here, riders conquered the historic Madonna del Ghisallo and, for the brave, the famous Muro di Sormano, a climb as fierce as it is legendary. Lakeside cappuccinos, gelato stops, and sunset dinners overlooking Lake Como created the perfect contrast to the earlier alpine efforts. One rider raised a glass and said: “This is the perfect finish — challenging mornings, sparkling afternoons, and evenings that feel like a movie scene.”
In total, the group covered over 815 km and climbed more than 18,800 metres, riding through three spectacular regions that showcased Italy at its very best. The tour blended physical achievement, cultural richness, and the joy of travelling by bike through landscapes that felt alive with history and beauty. The final word goes to a smiling guest as the group celebrated in Bellagio: “Bella Italia wasn’t just a cycling tour — it was an experience that will stay with us forever.”
Final Word
Bella Italia 2025 was more than kilometres and vertical metres. It was friendships forged on two wheels, mornings above the clouds, and evenings by the water. We climbed until our lungs whispered, we coasted until our hearts sighed.
Bravissimo, riders. Until 2026… Arrivederci Italia!
