Tourism on two wheels is on the rise with a surge of 292% in Google searches for “cycling holiday”. There’s so much more to a cycling trip than just the bike, though, and new research has revealed the most beautiful routes worldwide.
It’s good news for European cycling fans, as a majority of the top 15 in the ranking are based on the continent.
A study by adventure booking platform Explore used eye-tracking software to assess the reactions of 200 participants to 52 renowned and attractive cycling routes from around the world.
The technology measured how quickly each route caught their attention and how long it held it for, and the metrics were combined into a weighted “eye-catching” score out of 100 to provide a definitive ranking.
“There’s something about seeing a country from the saddle that no other kind of travel can match; you’re moving fast enough to cover real ground, but slow enough to take it all in,” said Luke Judd, travel expert at Explore.
“What’s interesting about this research is that it puts science behind what cyclists have always debated: which views genuinely stop us in our tracks.”
Canada’s Bow Valley Parkway, a scenic winding route between Banff and Lake Louise, was far and away the most popular option, with a score of 97 out of 100.
It was followed closely by Australia’s Great Ocean Road, on the southwest coast of Victoria, which was awarded a score of 94.
Despite the top two being some distance from Europe, and the list spanning four continents, eight out of the 15 are actually in Europe itself.
Here’s where to head for a beautiful cycling experience closer to home.
European destinations dominate the rankings
In third place, with a score of 91, are the stunning Tuscany Gravel Routes in Italy. Most famous for the professional one-day race held there in the spring, the stunning route features cypress tree-lined climbs, working vineyards and centuries-old hilltop towns.
With a score of 90, the Elbe Cycle Route in Germany is in fourth place.
It follows the Elbe River for around 1,220 kilometres from Czechia towards the North Sea, and the route passes through Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, skirts several German states and travels right through Hamburg, offering a journey through historic cities, countryside and some of eastern and northern Germany’s most interesting landscapes.
In sixth place, Amsterdam Cycle Route 10 has a score of 86. The Netherlands goes hand in hand with cycling, and there’s arguably no better way to explore Amsterdam than by bike.
This circular route offers a brilliant introduction to the city and its surroundings, taking you past canals, parks and historic neighbourhoods before heading into quieter countryside.
In seventh and eighth places, with scores of 82 and 81 respectively, are Italy’s Stelvio Pass and the Provence Lavender Route in France.
While the Stelvio Pass is notorious as one of the most difficult cycling routes in the world – and the second-highest in the Alps – the Provence Lavender Route is, mercifully, significantly easier.
The scenic trip is best taken in the summertime when lavender plants are in full bloom. It winds through rolling countryside, hilltop villages and the Luberon and Valensole Plateau’s vast fields of purple blooms.
It’s back to challenging routes with Scotland’s North Coast 500, which is in 11th place with a score of 78.
Starting and finishing in Inverness, this route is more than 800km long and can take even the most competent cyclists up to five days to complete. Despite its trickiness, it’s well worth it for those who want to experience the rugged beauty of the Scottish coast.
The Route des Grandes Alpes is one of Europe’s great mountain road trips, stretching from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean through some of the French Alps’ most spectacular scenery.
It’s in 13th place, with a score of 78 – the same as the North Coast 500 in Scotland – and isn’t easy either. Expect towering peaks, deep valleys, mountain passes and picturesque villages along the way. It’s fairly challenging, with long, winding and sometimes steep sections, so it’s best suited to experienced cyclists.
The last European entry in the top 15 is the Lake Ohrid Circuit in 14th place, with a score of 76. The trip covers roughly 90 to 96 kilometres and crosses an international border between North Macedonia and Albania.
Those tackling it will take in the historic towns of Ohrid and Struga and the Monastery of Saint Naum near the southern border, as well as Pogradec on the Albanian lakeside. Just remember to bring your passport in order to experience the whole route.
The world’s top 15 most beautiful cycling routes
How each route is ranked according to an “eye-catching” score out of 100:
- 1. Bow Valley Parkway (Banff–Lake Louise), Canada – 97/100
- 2. Great Ocean Road, Australia – 94/100
- 3. Tuscany Gravel Routes, Italy – 91/100
- 4. Elbe Cycle Route, Germany – 90/100
- 5. Carretera Austral, Chile – 86/100
- 6. Amsterdam Cycle Route 10, Netherlands – 86/100
- 7. Pacific Coast Highway, USA – 82/100
- 8. Stelvio Pass, Italy – 82/100
- 9. Provence Lavender Route, France – 81/100
- 10. Road to Hana, USA – 78/100
- 11. NC500 (North Coast 500), Scotland (UK) – 78/100
- 12. Route des Grandes Alpes, France – 78/100
- 13. Slickrock Trail, USA – 76/100
- 14. Lake Ohrid Circuit, North Macedonia/Albania – 76/100
- 15. Vancouver Seawall, Canada – 75/100