Ultimate bike routes and cycling getaways
Ultimate bike routes and cycling getaways
Best routes for your next cycling vacation
Cycling is one of the most rewarding ways to explore a destination, covering enough ground to see real variety while staying connected to the landscape in a way that faster travel doesn't allow. The right route at the right time of year can be the kind of trip that redefines what travel feels like.
The routes on this list span a wide range of terrain, distance, and difficulty. Some are classic long-distance routes with centuries of history behind them. Others are lesser-known regional rides that reward those willing to look beyond the obvious. What they share is a quality of landscape and a riding experience worth planning a trip around.
Seasonality, road conditions, elevation, and logistics all factor into whether a route delivers what it promises. This list tries to give you what you need to choose the right destination for your level, your timing, and what you're actually looking for from a ride.
Lists by region
State/Prefecture in Japan
Hokkaido
Volcanoes, powder snow and fresh seafood
Hokkaido's quiet rural roads roll through farmland framed by distant volcanic peaks. Lavender fields near Furano turn the landscape purple during midsummer. Riders can cover long, empty stretches with little traffic to interrupt the ride. Cool summer temperatures make the island a popular escape from mainland Japan's heat.
Region in Germany
Bavaria
Alps, castles, beer gardens and old towns
Routes around Bavaria's Alpine foothills pass beneath castles and past deep glacial lakes. Konigssee's shoreline road offers flat riding framed by towering limestone peaks. Riders can climb into the mountains near Garmisch-Partenkirchen for steeper alpine terrain. Beer gardens along the way make for a common midway stop.
Country
Sri Lanka
Ancient cities, tea hills and surf beaches
Roads through Sri Lanka's hill country climb steeply into tea growing regions. Colonial era rail lines wind alongside many of the same mountain routes. Riders can pedal past terraced tea plantations near Ella and Nuwara Eliya. Waterfalls and misty valleys mark much of the higher elevation riding.
Island in Japan
Shikoku
Pilgrimage trail, gorges and hot springs
The Shimanami Kaido links Shikoku to Honshu across a chain of small islands. Six suspension bridges carry a dedicated cycling path high above the Seto Inland Sea. Riders can stop on each island for citrus fruit grown along the route. Blue lines painted on the road mark the way for the entire crossing.
Town in Japan
Karuizawa
Cool highland resort at the foot of Asama
Karuizawa's forested lanes have drawn cyclists to this mountain resort town for over a century. Cool summer temperatures make it a popular escape from Tokyo's heat. Riders can pedal quiet roads shaded by tall larch and birch trees. A dedicated cycling path connects the town to nearby Mount Asama's foothills.
Town in Japan
Nikko
Tokugawa shrines, waterfalls and hot springs
Roads near Nikko climb through cedar forest toward mountain lakes and waterfalls. Irohazaka, a famous switchback road, twists sharply up the mountainside in dozens of turns. Riders can pedal past Lake Chuzenji before tackling the steep descent back down. Historic shrines sit just at the base of these forested climbing routes.
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