Best Cycling Routes

The Ultimate Two-Wheeled Bucket ListBicycling offers a unique way to experience the world. It combines the thrill of speed with the intimacy of walking. Around the globe, certain paths stand out for their exceptional design, breathtaking scenery, and commitment to cyclist safety. These paths have earned international acclaim, prestigious tourism awards, and the loyalty of riders worldwide. Here are twelve of the world’s most celebrated award-winning cycling routes that every enthusiast should experience.

European Continental MarvelsThe Europe Bicycle Path network features some of the finest infrastructure in the world. Leading the pack is the Danube Cycle Path, specifically the section winding through Austria. Awarded the maximum five stars by the German ADFC for quality, this route treats riders to dramatic cliffside castles, lush vineyards, and smooth, car-free asphalt. It sets the global gold standard for family-friendly long-distance touring.Further west, the Route des Grandes Alpes in France offers a legendary challenge. This alpine masterpiece regularly wins accolades from cycling media for its demanding topography and unparalleled mountain vistas. Spanning from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea, it conquers sixteen high-altitude passes, making it a sacred pilgrimage site for road racing purists.In Italy, the Ciclovia del Garda delivers a futuristic riding experience. Dubbed the most beautiful cycle path in Europe, this engineering marvel features a track suspended high above Lake Garda. It gives cyclists the exhilarating sensation of floating between the water and the sky, earning top honors for innovative infrastructure design.

North American TrailblazersAcross the Atlantic, North America boasts exceptional rail-trails that repurpose historic transport corridors. The Great Allegheny Passage in the United States is a premier example. Stretching from Maryland to Pennsylvania, this continuously graded trail has received national recognition for its accessibility, pristine forest canopies, and seamless connection to charming trail towns.In Canada, Quebec’s Route Verte stands as a monumental achievement in bicycle planning. Covering thousands of kilometers, it was named one of the best cycling routes in the world by the National Geographic Society. The network seamlessly links vibrant urban centers like Montreal with quiet maritime villages, offering diverse landscapes under a unified, well-marked trail system.For those seeking coastal beauty, the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island delivers an award-winning maritime journey. Recognized globally for its dramatic ocean viewpoints, this loop challenges riders with rolling terrain while rewarding them with whale sightings, Acadian culture, and rugged cliffs meeting the Atlantic surf.

Pacific and Oceanic WondersThe Southern Hemisphere boasts routes that cleverly blend natural majesty with world-class trail engineering. New Zealand’s Otago Central Rail Trail is a legendary route that pioneered the modern rail-trail movement in Oceania. Winning numerous sustainable tourism awards, this path takes riders through isolated rocky gorges, historic gold-mining towns, and vast tussock plains inaccessible by car.In Australia, the Riesling Trail combines fitness with culinary indulgence. Located in the Clare Valley, this acclaimed route pioneered the integration of cycle tourism with local agriculture. Cyclists ride through historic vineyards, stopping at award-winning wineries and heritage buildings along a gentle, pine-lined path.Japan’s Shimanami Kaido is a masterpiece of modern cycling infrastructure. Crossing the Seto Inland Sea, this spectacular route connects the main island of Honshu with Shikoku via six massive bridges. Featuring dedicated bike lanes separated from traffic and sweeping aerial views of the islands, it routinely tops global lists for architectural innovation and scenic beauty.

Untamed and Scenic PathsFor riders looking to escape the crowds, certain routes offer award-winning solitude. The Wild Atlantic Way along Ireland’s western coast is a rugged epic. Recognized by global travel authorities for its raw beauty, this route confronts cyclists with Atlantic winds, ancient stone walls, and some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe.In South Africa, the Cape Peninsula Loop offers a world-class single-day ride. Famous for hosting the Cape Town Cycle Tour, the largest timed bicycle race on Earth, this route is celebrated for its dramatic coastal roads. It carves directly into the cliffs of Chapman’s Peak, providing panoramic ocean views that are consistently rated among the best on the planet.Finally, the Carretera Austral in Chile represents the pinnacle of adventure cycling. This remote highway through Patagonian wilderness has won the hearts of bikepackers and adventure travel awards alike. Riders navigate past active volcanoes, dense rainforests, and bright blue glacial lakes, experiencing one of the last truly wild frontiers on earth.

Whether navigating suspended paths over Italian lakes or conquering wind-swept fjords in Patagonia, these twelve routes represent the pinnacle of bicycle travel. They prove that the best journeys are measured in pedal strokes rather than miles. By prioritizing safety, scenery, and accessibility, these award-winning paths inspire riders to push their limits and discover the world from the unforgettable perspective of a bicycle saddle.