The best European cycle routes in 2026

A collection of 18 cycling routes, created by Cycling Thread.

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The best European cycle routes in 2026

Overview

About this collection

The guide presents a ranking of the top cycle routes in Europe based on infrastructure, scenery, sightseeing, transport access, food and lodging, info resources and overall appeal. It features a wide mix of destinations - from quiet riverside paths and converted railway lines to coastal rides and alpine passes. Each route is picked for its scenic charm, cultural highlights and quality of cycling infrastructure. Popular classics like the Rhine Cycle Route and others appear, showing the variety of experiences available. The ranking helps cyclists find great adventures tailored to different preferences - from smooth and easy paths to more adventurous mixed terrain. It also reflects the growing trends in cycling tourism, such as better infrastructure, sustainable travel and digital support.

18
Routes: 223 h
Duration: 5,965.4 km
Distance: 26.7 km/h
Avg. speed: 41,964 m
Ascent: 45,905 m
Descent

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The best European cycle routes in 2026

Routes in this collection

All 18 routes in this collection can be opened on the map or in the Bikemap App for more details, where you can adjust them in the route planner, or download them as GPX or KML file. Use them as a template for planning your own rides, or let Bikemap navigate you along them directly.

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Alpe-Adria Cycle Route - Salzburg to Grado, Austria&Italy

Cycling route in Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

More about the Alpe-Adria Cycle Route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/alpe-adria-bicycle-route-cycling-through-alps-to-adriatic-sea The Alpe-Adria route is about 415 km long and links Salzburg in Austria with the seaside town of Grado in Italy. It runs through Salzburger Land, Carinthia and Friuli…

560.6 km
Distance: 4,614 m
Ascent: 5,034 m
Descent

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Around the Luberon by bike - Cavaillon to Cavaillon, France

Cycling route in Cavaillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France

More about the Around the Luberon by bike route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/cycling-in-luberon-most-beautiful-villages-of-provence The main idea behind the Around Luberon cycle route is to create a cycling loop around the Luberon massif. For us, however, it was equally important to explore the L…

301 km
Distance: 3,624 m
Ascent: 3,626 m
Descent

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Carinthian Lake Loop - Villach to Villach, Austria

Cycling route in Villach, Carinthia, Austria

More about the Carinthian Lake Loop: https://www.cyclingthread.com/carinthian-lake-loop-cycling-carinthia-with-velovista The Carinthian Lake Loop (Kärnten Seen-Schleife) is a new 420-kilometer cycling route in Carinthia that runs past lakes, rivers and Alpine landscapes. It connects some of the r…

438.5 km
Distance: 3,948 m
Ascent: 3,948 m
Descent

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Castle Route - Middelfart to Nyborg, Denmark

Cycling route in Middelfart, Region South Denmark, Denmark

More about the Castle Route in Denmark: https://www.cyclingthread.com/castle-route-in-denmark-historic-manors-and-palaces-on-funen The Castle Route (Herregårdsruten) is a 660-kilometre cycling route across Funen, the Danish island known for its exceptional concentration of historic manor houses an…

301.4 km
Distance: 1,497 m
Ascent: 1,499 m
Descent

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Drava Cycle Route - Toblach to Aich/Dob, Italy&Austria

Cycling route in Toblach, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

More about the Drava Cycle Route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/cycling-in-austria-drava-cycle-route-in-carinthia The Drava Cycle Route (Drauradweg) is one of only four European routes awarded the top five-star rating by the ADFC, and its central section through Carinthia shows off some of Austri…

288.3 km
Distance: 2,961 m
Ascent: 3,722 m
Descent

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Elbe Cycle Route - Dresden to Magdeburg, Germany

Cycling route in Dresden, Saxony, Germany

More about the Elbe Cycle Route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/exploring-elbe-cycle-route-from-dresden-to-magdeburg The Elbe Cycle Route from Dresden to Magdeburg is a flat and scenic section of Germany’s most popular long-distance bike trail - perfect for weekend rides or longer tours. It runs r…

312.5 km
Distance: 538 m
Ascent: 597 m
Descent

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EuroVelo 10 - Copenhagen to Gedser, Denmark

More about EuroVelo 10: https://www.cyclingthread.com/cycling-denmark-on-eurovelo-10-copenhagen-and-baltic-sea EuroVelo 10 is a long distance cycling route around the Baltic Sea, and the Danish section runs about 300 km from Copenhagen southward through quiet landscapes. Denmark is highly cycle f…

366 km
Distance: 1,258 m
Ascent: 1,261 m
Descent

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Kempen Route - Tongeren to Antwerp, Belgium

Cycling route in Tongeren, Flemish Region, Belgium

More about the Kempen Route in Belgium: https://www.cyclingthread.com/iconic-cycle-routes-in-flanders-cycling-kempen-route The Kempen Route is one of nine Iconic Cycle Routes in Flanders, leading for around 215 kilometres through the green landscapes of Belgian Limburg and the Kempen region. The ro…

297.8 km
Distance: 788 m
Ascent: 866 m
Descent

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Lakes Route - Zurich to Lausanne, Switzerland

Cycling route in Zürich (Kreis 6) / Oberstrass, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland

More about the Lakes Route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/exploring-swiss-alps-cycling-lakes-route-in-switzerland The Lakes Route is a 500-kilometer cycling route across postcard-like Switzerland, linking ten scenic lakes and regions such as Werdenberg, Lucerne at the foot of Mount Pilatus, Iselt…

341.3 km
Distance: 5,957 m
Ascent: 5,992 m
Descent

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Loire by bike - Sully-sur-Loire to Angers, France

Cycling route in Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France

More about Loire by bike: https://www.cyclingthread.com/cycling-loire-valley-loire-velo-castles-and-wine The Loire à Vélo route in the Loire Valley is mostly on gravel paths instead of smooth asphalt, which makes the cycling different than many imagine. The river views are calm and modest, but th…

382.1 km
Distance: 1,990 m
Ascent: 2,064 m
Descent

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Lower Lusatia Mining Route - Forst to Finsterwalde, Germany

Cycling route in Brody, Lubusz Voivodship, Poland

More about the Lower Lusatia Mining Route: https://www.cyclingthread.com/lusatian-lakeland-and-lower-lusatia-mining-route-cycling-brandenburg The Lusatian Lakeland in southern Brandenburg is a former lignite mining area that is now being transformed into a tourism region with artificial lakes and…

194.7 km
Distance: 1,210 m
Ascent: 1,177 m
Descent

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Oder-Spree-Tour - Frankfurt (Oder) to Wiesenau, Germany

Cycling route in Frankfurt (Oder), Brandenburg, Germany

More about Oder-Spree-Tour: https://www.cyclingthread.com/oder-spree-tour-truly-cyclist-friendly-brandenburg The Oder-Spree Tour is a circular route of about 278 km through the lakes, rivers, forests and canals of eastern Brandenburg. It usually takes around four days to complete and starts and e…

289.4 km
Distance: 1,362 m
Ascent: 1,357 m
Descent