The 19 Most Scenic Bicycle Paths in the World
What separates ordinary or even good bicycle paths from spectacular ones? For casual bikers, it could be the perfect blend of exercise and scenery. Added to this fact is that bicycle paths are typically away from busy streets, making the sport all the more serene. Yet for those ardent biking enthusiasts who are not satisfied with simply hopping on their bicycles and zipping through their neighborhood or local parks, greater and more difficult routes exist. From the islands off of the coast of Norway to the lush, rolling countryside of England, AD surveys the 19 most scenic bicycle paths for you to consider traveling to, including a few expert picks from Roff Smith, author of 100 Bike Rides of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Cycling Experience. There’s a route for every type of cyclist, so grab your road, gravel, or mountain bike and prepare to pedal. With beautiful landscapes, historic sites, challenging climbs, and exhilarating descents, these bike routes offer unforgettable workouts you won’t find on a Peleton. If nothing else, you’ll come back sore but thoroughly rejuvenated from your experience.
Photo: Getty Images/Eurasia Press1/19Isle of Wight (United Kingdom)
With its verdant rolling hills, dramatic seaside scenery, windy roads that bend inland towards green valleys and bend seaward toward white chalk cliffs, the Isle of Wight is any bike enthusiast’s dream setting. Best of all, perhaps, is that the Isle of Wight is a mere three-hour drive southwest of London, making it an ideal weekend cycling trip.
Photo: Getty Images/Isao Kuroda/Sebun Photo2/19Shimanami Kaido (Japan)
At first glance it would appear biking on these roads could be dangerous, but the Shimanami Kaido in Japan is separated from the road. This means riders can enjoy the 40-mile road through a series of bridges and scenic islands at their own pace.
Photo: Getty Images/tapit3/19Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (Canada)
From Canada’s Alberta all the way through to New Mexico is the 2,734-mile-long path known as the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Definitely not a ride for beginners, the route will take you through some very isolated and extreme parts of North America. Bikers beware of the potential moose, mountain lions, and grizzlies through the trail. But the breathtaking views will certainly make it all worthwhile.
Photo: Getty Images/Keven Osborne/Fox Fotos4/19Friendship Highway (China)
Located in China and passing through the Tibetan city of Lhasa and the Nepalese border is the Friendship Highway. At times, the route can reach 16,400 feet, which, on clear days, allows for views of Mount Everest in the far distance.
Photo: Getty Images5/19Route des Vins (Germany and France)
Vineyards don’t just produce wine for consumption, they also set the stage for some of the world’s most stunning scenery. And the Route des Vins, which snakes its way through Germany and France, is no exception. The 32-mile-long route takes bikers through winding roads, historic towns, and, of course, beautiful vineyards.
Photo: Getty Images/Aizar Raldes/Stringer6/19Death Road (Bolivia)
As the name suggests, Bolivia’s Death Road is certainly the most dangerous bike path on the list. Not only do bikers have to stay away from the cliff edges, they also have to steer clear of traffic that runs up and down the trail each day. The reward? Some of the most specular views of the verdant Yungas region of Bolivia.
Photo: Getty Images/Morten Falch Sortland7/19North Sea Cycle Route (Norway)
At the northeast tip of the spectacular North Sea Cycle Route are the paths through the islands along Hordaland, Norway. Take the path the full 3,728 miles south from Norway and travel through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, England, and Scotland.
Photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images8/19Garden Route (South Africa)
With some of the most dramatic and diverse scenery on the planet, it makes sense that South Africa would have top notch cycling routes as well. Start in Cape Town and head east through the Garden Route, a 133-mile-long, 12-day trip that runs through beautiful vistas and coastal settings as well. There are four stops along the way, including Cape Town, the harbor town of Mossel Bay, Storms River which is located at the mouth of Tsitsikamma National Park, and the beautiful Addo Elephant National Park.
Photo: Getty Images/Harry Engels9/19The South Downs Way (England)
The South Downs Way, which is a 99-mile trek through the heart of England, is a beautiful trip through the rolling British countryside. There is a good amount of elevation at times during the route, so be prepared. But riders can also reward themselves at the various pubs and guesthouses located throughout the small villages.
Photo: Getty Images/kgrahamjourneys10/19The Great Ocean Road (Australia)
Anyone who has driven on (or seen pictures of) Australia’s Great Ocean Road, which stretches 172 miles from Torquay to Allansford, knows that it’s among the most dramatic coastlines in the world. Which is why biking along this highway is a must-do for any cycling enthusiast.
Photo: Mario Savoia / Alamy11/19A Route From Udaipur to the Taj Mahal (India)
India is a land of bountiful beauty. Luckily for cyclists, a good amount of that beauty can be seen on a bike route that takes cyclists from Udaipur, through the heart of northwest India, and all the way to the mighty Taj Mahal in Agra. While the trip can take upwards of 12 days, rest assured much of the country can be enjoyed during intermittent stops between the Udaipur and the Taj Mahal (which are separated by some 365 miles).
Delphotos / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic12/19The Ring Road (Iceland)
Experience the dramatic landscapes of Iceland on two wheels by traveling Route 1, the famous 820-mile road around the country. Author Roff Smith recommends starting in Reykjavik and traveling counterclockwise, taking in Iceland’s spectacular scenery, including volcanos, glaciers, waterfalls, and deserts. This two-week trip is not for beginners and is best enjoyed during the summer—when you’ll have lots of daylight to squeeze in some extra miles each day.
Photo: Jochen Tack / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic13/19Rhine Cycle Route (from Switzerland to the Netherlands)
Make your way along the Rhine River, traveling from Andermatt, Switzerland, to Hook of Holland in the Netherlands on the Rhine Cycle Route. The 932-mile journey takes cyclists through six countries, where they’ll take in vineyards, castles, half-timbered villages, and plenty of windmills. The two-to-three-week trip includes climbs through the Swiss Alps and plenty of postcard-worthy photo ops.
Photo: Peter Kovac / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic14/19Cap de Formentor (Spain)
Take in the beauty of Mallorca along the 25-mile Cap de Formentor. Smith notes that Majorca is a favorite of pro-riders training for races. This route takes cyclists out and back from the town of Puerto Pollensa to the Formentor Lighthouse, the highest lighthouse on the Balearic Islands at 690 feet above sea level. Visit in the springtime to ride alongside the groups of pros putting in their miles along the rocky Mediterranean coast.
Photo: Cavan Images / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic15/19Southern Black Forest Cycle Route (Germany)
Riding through Germany’s Southern Black Forest Cycle Route is like exploring a fairytale. The 149-mile loop has few climbs, making it an easy three-to-five-day ride for most cycling enthusiasts. The route begins and ends in Freiburg, a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once a major silver mining town. Riders pass through the forest, visiting castle towns, Lake Titisee, and Basel (Switzerland), as they cycle the loop.
Photo: Andrew Bret Wallis / National Geographic16/19Way of the Roses (England)
The Way of the Roses is a 171-mile route that goes from coast to coast, beginning in Morecambe and ending in Bridlington. Take part in the cycling tradition of dipping your back wheel in the Irish Sea as you start your ride and your front wheel in the North Sea at the end. The route is named for the War of the Roses, the rivalry between the House of Lancaster and the House of York, and takes cyclists through market towns, the Yorkshire Dales, and the medieval city of York.
Photo: Noppasin Wongchum / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic17/19Mae Hong Son Loop (Thailand)
The Mae Hong Son Loop is a challenging route through the mountains of Thailand. Starting in Chiang Mai, the route takes cyclists through winding roads with 43,000 feet of climbing. The narrow roads pass through rice paddies and a rainforest before taking riders on a thrilling 3,000-foot spiraling descent. A highlight is Doi Inthanon, a national park known for its waterfalls, cherry blossoms, and spectacular views.
Photo: Justin Bastien / National Geographic18/19Tour of the Dragon (Bhutan)
Bhutan’s Tour of the Dragon is a grueling one-day, 158-mile mountain bike race created by His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Wangchuck and held the first week of September. The route has four mountain passes with more than 15,000 feet of elevation. If you don’t want to endure the 12–15 hour race, there’s a shorter version, the 37-mile Dragon’s Fury. The route can also be taken at a more laid-back speed outside of race day, but your trip will need to be arranged by an outfitter.
Photo: Jon Sparks / Alamy Stock Photo / National Geographic19/19Forgotten World Highway (New Zealand)
The 114-mile Forgotten World Highway follows 19th-century colonial bridle paths through New Zealand. The mainly paved route, also known as State Highway 43, passes through the lush scenery of Tangarakau Gorge, followed by Moki Tunnel, which is nicknamed the Hobbit’s Hole. The challenging route then takes cyclists through the backcountry and over two mountain passes before heading to the coast at New Plymouth.
