Where to stay near the Passo del Penice: B&B for motorcyclists

The Passo del Penice (1,149 metres) links Lombardy to Emilia-Romagna between the Val Staffora and the Val Trebbia, at the foot of Monte Penice (1,460 metres). The SS 461 road starts in Voghera, climbs the Val Staffora through Varzi and drops to Bobbio: about 58 kilometres of winding road, much loved by motorcyclists across northern Italy.

From the pass you can see the upper Val Tidone, the Oltrepò hills, the Po plain and, on clear days, the Alps. Around the car park there are restaurants, hotels and bars, and in Bobbio's square stands a statue of Saint Columbanus, patron of motorcyclists.

A classic motorcycle loop starts in Pavia and crosses the Oltrepò Pavese: Lake Trebecco, the Passo del Penice, the Sanctuary of the Name of Mary on Monte Penice and the return via Varzi, where you can taste Varzi salami. From Lùlù Guest House you can join this route and come back to sleep in the cool of the Val Curone hills.