It is said that tastes and colours are not debatable, so why try to establish a ranking of the 5, 10 or 100 most beautiful cycling routes? Of course, there are many cycling routes in Europe. Even the most intrepid among us probably cannot claim to have explored more than a small part of them. But if you’re thinking of undertaking a cycling trip, either on your own or through a cycling tour company, this page can help. Our explanations below will allow you discern which type of route will really appeal to you. Essentially, it will help you find the most relaxing or exciting holiday you’ve had in a long time.
Popular cycling routes in Europe
So, before we give you our humble opinion and share our experience with you, let’s take a look at which routes seems to attract the most travellers, by looking at what specialized agencies are offering. A small compilation of the tours offered by 22 French agencies or intermediaries specialized in cycling trips1 has enabled us to identify a few trends. It also allowed us to establish a ranking of popular destinations.
Unsurprisingly, the top destinations, proposed by the vast majority of these agencies, combine easy and accessible routes. Those routes are often alongside a river or canal, with a high density of cultural or natural sites of great interest. The Loire by bike, proposed by almost all the agencies specialising in cycling trips, and a must for lovers of nature, history and culture, comes top of the list! In second place comes the Gironde and its Arcachon basin. This region, with its unique landscapes, between ocean blue, sandy yellow and pine green, is indeed another dream destination for cyclists. The Canal du Midi, a route of great majesty and offering an atmosphere of serenity, has nothing to envy its competitors, which it follows closely. Other French destinations such as Brittany, the Périgord and the Garonne Canal follow in order. Outside France, the most popular destinations are the Austrian Danube, Lake Constance and Tuscany.
The Eurovelo cycling network
Another set of cycling routes that are gaining in popularity are the Eurovélos. If you have not yet heard of this cycling network developed within Europe, their website is certainly worth a visit. Eurovelo 15, also known as the Rhine cycle route, has been by far the most popular in web searches for many years, followed by Eurovelo 6, which crosses Europe from west to east along much of the Loire, Rhine and Danube rivers. Then come Eurovélo 19 and Eurovélo 13, which run along the Meuse and the former Iron Curtain respectively and have seen spectacular growth in terms of traffic.
All of these great classics of cycle travel are good starting points for a first experience: numerous cycle paths, signposts, adequate infrastructure, etc. However, some people who are looking for a more unique and authentic experience will tend to avoid these tours, which were once popular, but are now sometimes victims of their success during the sunny months.
The rise of the electric bike
The rise of the electric bicycle has made it possible to 
offer new routes, previously reserved for the more fearless and sporty, to all types of cyclists. This is particularly valid for the more hilly and mountainous regions. Those regions in our experience offer the most authenticity, the most beautiful landscapes and the best preserved nature. They also have the least travelled roads and a warmer welcome from the locals, who are amused to see cycle tourists venturing into their areas. It is these experiences that guide the choices at Cyclodyssées, where we like to go off the beaten tracks, while still aiming at proposing tours for all levels of experience. Our tours are indeed for all: from beginners who never traveled by bike to regular cyclists looking for an exciting challenge.
Your next bicycle holidays
Whether you are tempted by one of the great cycling classics, a Eurovélo or a more original itinerary, our cycling travel agency will be happy to advise you and direct you as best as possible, according to your desires, budget, time available, … to realize your project.
1 – Randovélo, Le Vélo Voyageur, A Bicyclette Voyages, La Bicyclette Verte, Cyclomundo, Velorizons, Cap Vélo, Tranquillo, Veymont Travel, Grand Angle, La Balaguère, Espace Randonnée, Evazio, Decathlon Travel, Terdav, Allibert Trekking, Eurotrek, Chamina Voyages, Safrantours, Huwans, La Rébenne, Péritrek.