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ByHelen Warwick
Published January 17, 2024
• 9 min read
With its myriad health benefits and thrilling sense of freedom, cycling is a great way to get out and explore, be it on a slow-paced ride through a city or a challenging climb through hilly terrain. Fortunately, Europe is crisscrossed with scenic routes to explore, from cycling through olive groves in Italy to pedalling past Portugal’s golden beaches and taking on Spain’s legendary Camino de Santiago. Here, five experts reveal where to go and why.
1. Italy
Best for: cultural highlights
Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, is a fine region to explore on two wheels. Here, cobbled streets wind their way through baroque towns and the salty tang of the sea lingers in the air. For a window into the area’s most impressive sights, embark on a moderately challenging trail from UNESCO-listed Matera all the way to the city of Lecce. The route, which covers 218 miles over six days, weaves through the countryside taking in olive groves, limestone cliffs, honey-hued cave dwellings in the city of Matera, whitewashed trulli (dry-stone huts) in Alberobello and the maze of narrow, stone alleyways in Ostuni.
“There are few places in the world where you have the chance to see the landscape and the architecture change so dramatically in such a short distance,” says cycling guide Paolo Maragliulo. “I’ve cycled extensively throughout the region, but what I loved about this specific adventure is that there are no transfers; every day you have to travel from place to place using your bike. It isn’t just a selection of nice places, but a complete immersion in the culture and the spirit of Southern Italy.”
2. The Baltics
Best for: tranquil moments
For a journey weaving together serene national parks, enchanting cities and coastal paths skirting inky blue waters, cyclists can combine all three of the Baltics — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — on a nine-day trip. Starting in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, where red-tiled roofs sit close to fairytale spires, the 246-mile trail loops through the marshes and meadows of Lahemaa National Park, popping out from pine forests to wind towards Riga, the capital of Latvia. Bikers will discover the lesser-known beaches of Jūrmala and the Curonian Spit of Lithuania, whose golden dunes tumble towards the Baltic Sea, before the penultimate day, gliding along the banks of the Nemunas River towards Kaunas.
“This is my favourite day,” says cycling guide Andrius Mažrimas. “We skirt Nemunas River from a gothic church, looping around the old town of Lithuania’s once provisional capital and continue towards the majestic baroque monastery of Pažaislis.”
3. Croatia
Best for: crystal-clear coasts
With frequent ferries gliding between the islands, Croatia is an ideal destination to explore on two wheels. For a journey weaving together national parks, pretty pebble bays and quaint medieval towns, take the six-day, 96-mile cycling trail from cosmopolitan Split to the old-world charm of Dubrovnik, stopping at Hvar, Korčula and Mljet island on route.
“My favourite ride is on day five, when we cycle around the forested island of Korčula,” says lead guide Mario Validzic. “After exploring the village of Blato, one of the island’s oldest settlements, we start our descent towards the southwest coast towards Brna. It’s one of the most picturesque trails on the tour with the Lastovo archipelago — a small group of protected islands — to the southeast, and superb views of the Adriatic, stretching all the way to Italy, to the south.”
4. Spain
Best for: unforgettable memories
Running across northern Spain, the Camino de Santiago is a challenging cycling route that traces the footsteps of those making the ancient pilgrimage to the tomb of St James. Starting in León, the six-day, 207-mile trail cruises through the foothills of Monte de O’Cebreiro, the patchwork fields of Galicia, and cool, shady chestnut forests, before joining the crowds in the shadow of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
“The second day is my favourite, when we leave the town of Astorga and head to Molinaseca in the Valley of El Bierzo,” says cycling guide Javier Bartolome. “Here, we climb some 790 metres to the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) pass, which is tough but rewarding. I love the way this mountain pass acts like a door, taking you from the flat plains of Castile to the verdant valleys of the Atlantic coast beyond.”
5. Portugal
Best for: picturesque views
Cycling along the Atlantic coast of Portugal might be one of the more revitalising adventures that travellers can have on two wheels — it’s a place where the surf pounds, the cliffs soar and bikers can flop onto golden sands.
Threading together the UNESCO-listed city of Porto with the bustling capital Lisbon, this five-day, 170-mile journey weaves through the coastal towns of Ovar, Furadouro, Costa Nova and lively Figueira da Foz, skirting past colourfully tiled shops, sleepy fishing villages and surf-style cafes. There’s the nature reserve of São Jacinto — a wild marshland of dunes and golden beaches — en route, as well as the vast Leiria pine forest and the legendary surf town of Nazaré where formidable waves are tackled by some of the world’s best surfers, as told in the HBO series 100 Foot Wave.
“Passing through Nazaré is the best part of the trip,” says guide Ruven Neves. “The descent from here to Foz do Arelho beach has incredible views of the Peniche’s tombolo, the Berlengas archipelago and the connection between the Atlantic Ocean and Óbidos Lagoon. Cycling through it reminds me of the paradise I live in and how much I enjoy showing it to others.”
6. Greece
Best for: ancient history
For history, archaeology and mythology, the Peloponnese is arguably the most layered part of Greece. A five-day cycling adventure around the peninsula, which forms the southern part of the mainland, is filled with all the architectural drama and romance one might expect from a classic Greek odyssey.
A complete circular ride to and from Athens, the 145-mile trail kicks off with a ferry ride to Poros island to explore its green, serene interior and mellow beaches. Returning to the mainland, the route winds towards the spectacular amphitheatre of Epidaurus, the neoclassical town of Nafplio, tumbling down a hillside, and inland towards Mycenae, the crumbling legacy of the Mycenaean civilisation.
“We cycle on this wonderful dirt road between Tolo and Mycenae,” says cycling guide Dimitris Steriotis. “It trundles towards the beach of Karathona, where no other vehicles are allowed, and has stunning views of the Argolic gulf on one side and the hanging rocks on the other.”
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