Italian Lakes - October with teenagers

[JoanDarc]

Flights booked into Milan Malpensa for a weeks holiday with our two teenagers. Active family, enjoy running, cycling, swimming so the cooler weather will be a bonus.
Last few years have been all inclusive following years of eurocamp style when the kids were younger. Now kids are older we’re keen to explore, thinking maybe a two centre holiday with a few days in each.
Looking for recommendations in general - location, accommodation and things to do that will still be open early - mid October.
Thanks in advance.

Hiking in the dolomites?
I’m not sure when it closes but the theme park at Lake Grada is meant to be awesome for teenagers

Do be aware that the weather can change radically from ‘late summer’ to ‘early winter’ within a day at that time of year - I spent October in Valtellina, just off Lake Como, a few years back: the first part was 27 degrees, gorgeous t-shirt weather, then it shifted to heavy rain and 10 degrees abruptly.
If you were based around the right-hand side of Lake Como you have excellent train links to central Milan, some lovely little towns, and you can continue the train through to Valtellina and ultimately to Tirano where you can get the Bernina Express through to St Moritz. There’s also an amazing bike route through Valtellina, following the river. I think you can book a bike at one pick-up point, ride downvalley, and return it at another. There are also electric bikes if you’re feeling lazy! I spent a few days on that bike path and it was stunning, but easy riding too. In October some of the bike hires only open at the weekend though.

If you google Sentiero Valtellina it takes you to the English site with maps and tips, and from there to the Rent a Bike page.

Stresa is lovely. Boat trips to the islands, animal park, Alpy Land, lots of place to eat. Hotel la Palma with sky bar and roof top pool. I don't think their lake front pool would still be open. You can do a round trip to far end the lake by train and come back by boat. There's a shuttle from Malpensa a few time a day. Varenna on lake Como is possible from Milan and then you can get ferries to e.g. Bellagio and the Villa Balbianello. Bergamo is also lovely, funicular and nice old town.

For Lake Garda, I'd suggest staying on the southern or southeastern shores in a town like Sirmione, Bardolino, Lazise, or Desenzano – they're super accessible and have plenty to do all year round.
On Como, Bellagio and Varenna are both great central bases for ferries and the autumn colours in the surrounding areas are gorgeous.

Thanks everyone for your welcome suggestions, have added all to the list to research.
Realisfically as only staying for a week, we would stay in max two locations, Garda sounds a definite, second would be between Lakes Como or Maggiore. Would welcome any views. Aware October is in the off season so decision probably based on where is still likely to still have facilities still open. Wherever we don’t stay would definitely day trip for a visit.

Check the availability of actuvities on October. The Hotel du Parc et du Lac near Riva is where the watersports school is based, if still running, close to Malcesine by car, bus or boat where there is a cable car up to Monte Baldo and accessible by car to the north/south motorway for Verona, Milan et al. I think the season may be more limited in Maggiore and Como.