Discover The Most Picturesque Cycle Routes In Europe

Europe is home to countless incredible cycling routes, taking you across sprawling fields, past vast lakes, into the mountains, and down into quaint, medieval towns. Here are a few of the best that you need to cycle at least once in your life.

Alpe-Adria Bike Route

The Alpe-Adria is often voted as the best cycling route in Europe, and this is due to its many unique features. Found in Austria, this 466-mile-long route will take you through beautiful forests, villages, and mountains.

Part of the route uses old railway infrastructure, which will take you across bridges and through tunnels on your journey. Pack your DSLR cameras for this one, as there are endless chances to take some exceptional photos of the landscape.

Rhine Cycle Route

This 850-mile-long route in Switzerland is part of the EuroVelo 15 European bike route, and takes around seven days to complete. Following the river gives you a taste of many landscapes, including the typical Alpine setting, the river valley, and traveling past a large lake.

One of the best parts of this route is that besides the first few miles, the majority of the route is done entirely on bike paths. This makes it safe, and ideal for camping, and you can also take your time whenever you feel like it.

Lakes Route

Another brilliant route in Switzerland is the Lakes Route. As one of the nine main routes in the country, this one takes you on an adventure that sees you visiting ten stunning lakes, as well as several gorgeous towns and villages, like Lucerne.

The route isn’t the longest in the world, coming in at around 350 miles, and with some stops and exploring thrown in, it can take you at least a week to complete.

Bourton-on-the-Water & Lower Slaughter

To the UK now, and the Bourton-on-the-Water & Lower Slaughter route is the definition of picturesque. Taking you through beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and with river views, there is arguably no better route to take in the glory of rural England.

This route can also take you back in time, as there are several villages and areas that can date their existence back to the time of the Roman occupation.

Trentino

To the hills of Italy now, the Trentino route is a spectacular 248-mile long loop that takes you around this beautiful region of Italy. You will travel past lakes and rivers, through Alpine valleys and forests, and the Italian countryside.

The nature of the loop makes it a great option for cyclists of all levele, as you get to do a lot of riding, but if you set a few days aside, you can do just as much exploring and relaxing along the way.

Baltic Sea Cycle Route

Finally, the Baltic Sea Cycle Route spans 745 miles and takes you from the German island of Usedom to the border with Denmark. The unique feature of this route is that it takes you through plenty of beautiful and breathtaking areas that are almost always overlooked by tourists.

While the route can sometimes be demanding, it is well worth the effort, as there are plenty of surprises along the way, and there are also countless amazing spots to park up for the night and camp.

Cycling in Europe Tips

Now that you know about a few of the best cycle routes to take in Europe, here are a few tips you should know to make it the best cycling trip of your life.

Do a Trial Run
Firstly, if possible, do a trial run before heading out. Countries like Italy, France, Switzerland, and other mountainous regions have spectacular routes, but they can be difficult to traverse if you are unprepared. Either drive the route, or, at the very least, research it and see where you will be cycling beforehand.

Don’t Let the Weather Put You Off
European weather can be unpredictable at best, and therefore you shouldn’t plan around it. Unless you are in the Alps during the Winter when it is constantly snowing, you should expect rain, cold, sunshine, and hot temperatures throughout your journey.

Pack a Two-Person Tent
Because of the unpredictable weather, it is best to pack a two-person tent to ensure you have enough room for all of your gear. While it is larger and heavier, you will thank yourself when you wake up in the morning, and your gear isn’t completely drenched from overnight rainfall.

Speak to the Locals
Always speak to the locals on your journey, as this is not only the best way to find the ideal routes, but it can also lead to finding hidden gems to stop at. There are countless sights that blogs and videos don’t cover, and you won’t find out about them if you don’t ask.

Avoid Big Cities
Finally, try to avoid cycling through major cities such as Paris or London. They are filled with traffic, can be dangerous for cyclists, and in many cases, can turn your journey into a crawl as they can be exceptionally difficult to ride in at any sort of speed.

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