Bicycle touring
Long-distance cycling routes can be found the world over and are a great way for a tourist to get out there and explore in depth. The distances you can cover when bicycle touring vary considerably, with routes lasting days, weeks, or even months at a time. In Europe, many of the better-known routes run along rivers, connect cultural and historical sights, or cross unspoiled natural areas. This page provides our pick of some truly fantastic long-distance cycling routes from different regions, as well as all the information you need to get the best out of your trip.
The best regions
The appeal of long-distance cycling
Long-distance cycling is an extremely immersive way to travel. You get to experience changes in the landscape and can cover relatively long distances in one day, meaning you can find yourself enjoying a peaceful sunrise on a secluded beach in the morning and come the evening you're out painting the town red. It's not surprising, therefore, that bike touring has become an increasingly popular way to holiday in recent years. Another reason is the growing popularity of e-bikes and gravel bikes, which make it possible for a larger number of people to cover long distances. Flexibility and spontaneity are also plus points. Whether you stay in a tent or prefer to spend the night in a guesthouse or hotel is entirely up to you. But one thing is for sure: memorable experiences are guaranteed on long-distance cycling routes, as some of the stories below demonstrate!
The versatility of bicycle touring
Long-distance cycling routes are usually within the range of several hundred kilometers in length. In Europe, well-known routes are generally well developed, signposted, and marked, and there is cycle-friendly accommodation along the way. Particularly attractive routes are often the recipients of awards based on criteria such as the quality of the route, guidance, signposting, and places of interest. Europe is covered by a network of long-distance cycle paths from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the North and Baltic Seas as well as within countries. You have the choice of cycling on the flat along rivers or conquering mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees - it's really up to you.
Preparing for your trip
When planning a long-distance cycling trip, you have the choice of either searching for existing routes in our Route Finder or creating your own one using the Outdooractive Route Planner.
We would recommend newcomers or those traveling in areas they are not familiar with to go for an existing route and we have various filter options that let you narrow down search results to meet your requirements and skills.
Our Travel Guide also hosts information on long-distance cycling routes all over the world. Simply enter the desired region in the search field above and you will be taken directly to the relevant page with a set of suggestions.
If you are planing your own route, you need to pay particular attention to the types of paths you use. With a normal touring bike, you should only ride on tarmac cycle paths and avoid mountain bike trails and busy roads. Gravel bikers have more options available to them.
Equipment
If you want to spend the nights on your trip in a tent and be self-sufficient, good preparation is essential. Read below to see which items of equipment you shouldn't be without under any circumstances and how to pack your bike optimally.
Lond-distance cycling with Outdooractive
In addition to official maps from our partners such as Ordance Survey, Outdooractive also offers many other great features such 3D previews, BuddyBeacon, and augmented reality.
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