Madonna del Ghisallo and Italy’s northern lakes

The Madonna del Ghisallo is a beautiful and hard climb located near Lake Como. The Ghisallo is the iconic climb of Il Lombardia and has attracted cyclists from all corners of the world to pay their dues at a small chapel that crowns the summit.

On October 13th 1949, Pope Pius XII appointed the Madonna of Ghisallo patroness of cyclists and since then has received donations from cycling champions. Such was the collection of bikes, jerseys, pictures, postcards and letters that a beautiful museum was built next to the chapel.

The climb is 10.6km long with an average gradient of 5.2% and a maximum of 14%.

High Cadence Cycling Tour to the Madonna commences in Lake Como and after three days of exploring the beautiful region we will then progress to Lago Maggiore via Varese, hometown of Italian legend Alfredo Binda who raced in the 30’s and 40’s and then became trainer of Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi.

Muro di Sormano

After 50 years of absence, Il Muro di Sormano returned to Il Lombardia in 2012. On its last appearance cyclists had to dismount their bikes and walk up the steep sections that ramp up to 25%. With an average gradient of 17% and despite being a “short” climb of less than two kilometres in length the Muro will push you to your limits. After a turn to the left on the Strada Provinciale 44km from Pian del Tivano one enters a small forest and what comes next after crossing a picturesque bridge will stay with you forever. The start of the climb is marked on the narrow road and soon the gradient ramps up and up this monumental road. Halfway through the climb there are a couple of tight corners reaching up to 25% or higher. It takes a presence of mind to pause and seize the opportunity to take in the breathtaking landscape.