Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

Route from Zurich to Como?

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

Route from Zurich to Como?

Old 02-02-10, 07:52 PM
  #1  
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
 
spinnaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 6,538

Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora

Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3394 Post(s)
Liked 63 Times in 46 Posts
Route from Zurich to Como?

I am strongly considering Italy for 2010.

It looks like Zurich might be a cheaper option than Milan (my favorite). Can I assume I would be in for a few killer climbs from Zurich to Como? What is the easiest route (if one actually exists ) ?
spinnaker is offline  
Old 02-02-10, 08:02 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
travelmama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Long Beach,CA
Posts: 1,410

Bikes: Kona Ute, Nishiki 4130, Trek 7000, K2 Mach 1.0, Novara Randonee, Schwinn Loop, K2 Zed 1.0, Schwinn Cream, Torker Boardwalk

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I haven't done it but I am sure others have. The route is #3 https://map.veloland.ch/?lang=en&route=3 You may be able to find what you are looking for here.
travelmama is offline  
Old 02-02-10, 10:26 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 687
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
There's a guy here on the forum named Ken Roberts who has posted numerous ride reports in Switzerland and the Italian Alps. See if he's got any advice. He often posts in the Regional/Europe section.
professorbob is offline  
Old 02-03-10, 01:00 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
chrisch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Rotkreuz, Switzerland
Posts: 248

Bikes: Trek 520, Gary Fisher Big Sur

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by spinnaker
I am strongly considering Italy for 2010.

It looks like Zurich might be a cheaper option than Milan (my favorite). Can I assume I would be in for a few killer climbs from Zurich to Como? What is the easiest route (if one actually exists ) ?
This is very close to Swiss National Route #3, which goes from Basel (west of Zurich ) to Chiasso (close to Como on the Swiss side). You can read about the route and see the height profile here.

The hardest part is the Gotthardpass, but you can skip that and take the train from Goschenen (or earlier) to Airolo. From Airolo to Biasca is one of my favourite routes. It's 40km downhill with the most spectacular views.
chrisch is offline  
Old 02-03-10, 02:27 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
xilios's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Maastricht, NL
Posts: 584

Bikes: Gazelle Playa

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You can cycle over the Splugen pass which I found to be quiet and very scenic in 2005. But you will need to make a right when you reach lake Como and just follow the shoreline.
The only thing to worry about its the descent, it's steep with many unlit tunnels but its a quiet road. Just need to do it slow.
xilios is offline  
Old 02-03-10, 08:46 AM
  #6  
Macro Geek
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,362

Bikes: True North tourer (www.truenorthcycles.com), 2004; Miyata 1000, 1985

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 43 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
The hardest part is the Gotthardpass, but you can skip that and take the train from Goschenen (or earlier) to Airolo. From Airolo to Biasca is one of my favourite routes. It's 40km downhill with the most spectacular views.
I biked from Zurich to Como via the Gotthard Pass in 2004. It was a pretty ride, although I found the pass itself extremely challenging. Aside from a few kilometres of plateau about half way to the top, it is uphill all the way. Unless you are in top physical form and have a light load, count on two full days of climbing.

(I pushed too hard, lost the ability to climb, and in the end, spent five or six days resting in Bellinzona in southern Switzerland. The muscles in my legs simply gave out. If I were to do this trip again, I would take three or four days for the climb.)

In general, car traffic along the route was light. Traffic was somewhat intense as I neared Como. There are several tunnels on the Gotthard pass, so bright lights and a reflective vest are good things to have.

If you have the legs, check out the delicious mountain roads between Airolo and Biasca. After passing Airolo, head north into the hills, and follow the network of bucolic roads that parallel Route 2. Ahh!!!!
acantor is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
houston9388
Touring
8
06-09-12 08:34 AM
hunter45
Southwest
0
08-10-11 07:05 AM
DEADRE
Northeast
0
05-31-11 05:27 AM
KDC1956
Touring
5
12-26-10 01:45 PM
Lurchi
Touring
7
02-15-10 11:02 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.