The most beautiful itineraries in Europe to cycle

Would you like to fly the European continent otherwise? To help you, here is a selection of the most beautiful routes in Europe to bike.

Europe is a splendid continent, offering a wide variety of unique landscapes and places. In the twenty-first century, countless ways to discover it are available to the novice or confirmed traveller. Among them, cycling is an effective alternative to motorized, ground, maritime or air transport. Clean, inexpensive, flexible and especially pleasant, there is no lack of strength to convince travel enthusiasts! Indeed, the bicycle ensures a unique sense of freedom and to cross to leisure cities and countryside. Lovers of the little queen or not, many are the ones who use this way of locomotion to whip Europe hair to the winds.

Why don't you try it in your turn during your next desire to take the sea? To help you, Wanderlix has selected some of the most beautiful routes in Europe to bike.

France

Routes du Lubéron (Vaucluse)

The massif of Luberon lies southeast of France. It is certainly one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to bike! It owes its reputation to the beauty of its landscapes and the coquetterie of its typical Provencal villages. If you’re told, it’s very recommended to cross them by bike. The roads flow through garrigues, lavender fields, hills, southern forests and valleys. On the way, you will be able to admire splendid period castles as well as historical points of interest such as bories. These small limestone dwellings housed the shepherds during the transhumances. The relief is not necessarily impressive, but it is necessary to prepare well because some portions are quite leaned!

Lakes Region (Jura)

This circular path, in the heart of Jura , is one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to bike. In fact, it allows to discover eight splendid lakes, hence its name. This gives the opportunity to swim during the summer season. The departure is from Clairvaux-les-Lacs station and its prehistoric palafittic sites classified as Unesco’s world heritage. Then you will have to pedal to the splendid lake of Vouglans before joining Cernon. You will enjoy a wonderful view of the lake before you start the descent towards Lake Coiselet.

Prepare to climb on the coast of Montcusel to arrive at the Gallo-Roman site of Villards-d’Héria before Moirans-en-Montagne, Maisod and Pont-de-Poitte. From the crystal clear waters of Lake Chalain, you will reach Clairvaux-les-Lacs via Bonlieu. If you’re in the corner, don’t forget to discover the Cascades of the Hérisson, a jewel of local natural heritage.

Spain

La Transandalus

You want to travel to Spain to give you your passion for mountain biking? This falls at a peak: an exceptional route is available to you and it is essential to be equipped with an all-terrain bicycle. The Transandalus is 2,500 kilometers of marked roads, deserted roads and sublime panoramas. They will delight lovers of large spaces during their crossing of the eight provinces of the region! This circular course can be carried out in its entirety or in part. V

or can thus avoid classical roads to cross transhumance trails and cross herds of cattle. Then you stop in the sublime cities that made the fame of the Andalusia Over the centuries. The latter are full of all the more beautiful and fascinating tourist sites.

La Via de la Plata

The Via de la Plata is somehow an alternative way to the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela. She crosses four Spanish regions: Andalusia, Estremadure Castile & León and Asturias. If it is one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to cycle, it is for the variety of landscapes crossed. The track follows an ancient Roman road of nearly 2,000 years, built to simplify exchanges of precious materials. By the way, Via de la Plata means “Money Road”! You will have the opportunity to discover hispanic heritage splendours and various tourist points of interest.

The route valued by the Spanish authorities is frequented by many bike lovers throughout the year. You can cross the landscapes of Salamanca, discover the Sierra de Béjar and many other fascinating sites. Go ahead, put on your mount, this splendid course is now waiting for you!

United Kingdom

C2C

This rather short route can be done in one day! However, you will need to be in excellent physical condition. The C2C (Coast to Coast) connects Whitehaven to Tynemouth, from the west coast to the east coast of England. It is certainly one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to cycle. Crossing beautiful green meadows it is indeed one of the most well-kept cycle routes on the island. It is frequented because of its ease (no ribs, no difficulties) by many users visiting England. The bike is one of the best ways to cross this picturesque country.

The ideal is to travel it from west to east: the winds will be favourable to you, because the wind is rare in this part of Europe. Second advice: you go there during the summer season, less inclined to gratify you with a thriving rain.

Norway

The Canal Route

The Canal Route is a splendid Norwegian rider who crosses the southern part of the country. The route connects Porsgrunn to Stavanger via Skien and partly runs along the Telemark Canal. The latter was nicknamed the eighth wonder of the world during its inauguration more than a century ago. It must be said that the landscapes crossed leave dreamers. Mountainous, wild and ideally preserved, they are simply breathtaking in this northern nation.

Norway is one of the cleanest countries in the world, and cycling is nothing less than an institution on the spot. It is better to understand why cycling routes are so well maintained and their coating of the highest quality. Additional advantage, the Canal Route is a rather short course that includes little difficulty. There are so many reasons to go gayly on the amazing route of the Canal Route, alone or with family.

Croatia

Eurovelo 8

Why not visit Croatia by taking advantage of only your two legs and a bike? It must be said that Croatia has one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to cycle, the Eurovelo 8! About 400 kilometers from Rijeka to Split. On average you will need six days to cross the islands of Krk, Rab and the picturesque Pag peninsula. The course is therefore for confirmed cyclists or athletes because important denivels are to be expected! Especially since most of them wish to enjoy the exceptional summer weather, necessarily accompanied by sustained heat. Curiosities are numerous and all more exciting than others.

Apart from the city of Zadar licked by the Adriatic Sea, one can excite itself by entering the beautiful village of Jablanac. Before you go sting a head on the shore of the island of Brac, one of the local splendors!

Italy/Austria

San Candido/Lienz

In conclusion, here’s our favourite, certainly one of the most beautiful routes in Europe to ride on a bike. It is on the Austro-Italian border that is happening in South-Tyrol, the Italian region bordering Austria. The route between San Candido (Italy) and Lienz (Austria) is still short (about 50 kilometres), but it is still not a must. And it’s not for nothing! Indeed, the route crosses forests, green meadows and mountain huts typical of the Alps. This sumptuous bike path can offer the opportunity for a nice family ride. Rest assured, although the trail winds up in the mountains and their meleze forests, it remains easy.

Additional benefits : it runs along a pretty river, the Drave, and a railway track where trains frequently pass. If you don't feel like continuing, you can go up there to finish the journey. Pretty cool, isn't it?