Forget Como: too busy. Garda’s great… but everyone knows about it. If you want to discover the Italian lake the locals love, let me introduce you to Iseo. Like the others, it’s ringed with mountains; unlike most of the rest it has an island to visit. Those in the know say Iseo is the most beautiful of Northern Italy’s lakes.

 

It’s also surrounded by brilliant roads – though there are plenty of villages as well, so you have to accept that bimbling along in the sunshine, waving to the nonnas as you put past their homes, is part of the package. But really we’re here for the mountain roads as well as the mountain views.

 

While others head straight to Stelvio or dash to the Dolomites, the savvy traveller based in Iseo gets to sample stunning mountain roads that are quieter than other corners of the Italian alps. They feel like a locals-only secret, one that those not in the know are bound to miss. Adventure-bike riders can even take the unpaved road over Passo Crocedomini, though this full-day ride sticks to the paved alternative.

 

So for an Italian Lakes ride unlike any other, head to beautiful Iseo. It has everything you need for a quiet biking break – from the charming waterside restaurants to the high-alpine hairpins. Only without the hordes of other bikers. Bellisima!