The classic cycling trails of the world are pretty well known, such as the Grand Crossing of the French Alps, or the climbs and coastal routes of the Balearic Islands. There are many green trails, however, that are upstaged by the greats. These are ones that take you away from pelotons and into the prettiest of landscapes. Some are more about pushing than pootling, such as the Camino Primitivo by bike or the Alto Minho in Portugal. But others are about powering up an e-bike and heading into the hills of Umbria or Catalonia. Whether you’re a road, hybrid, mountain or e-biker, this collection of lesser-known cycling routes are like an assortment of sweet treats. Take your pick, there’s plenty to go around.
Umbria, Italy
Umbria is where the umber reddish brown pigment came from, which translates as terra d’ombra, or earth of Umbria. On this centre-based cycling holiday, you spend five days on adventures in and around Assisi, where a whole palette of prettiness awaits. Umbrian trails include ancient towns such as Montefalco, renowned for its wines, and Trevi, on the slopes of Mount Serano. As well as to Mount Subasio Nature Park, which is a part of the Assisi-Spoleto Cycle Trail. And to top it all off, at night you park up at your four-star hotel in Assisi, famous for its outstanding churches, palaces and ancient architecture.
Penedès Wine Region, Catalonia, Spain
Just outside Barcelona, the famous Montserrat Abbey is enveloped by the eponymous massif and Penedès Wine Region. Although Montserrat is very famous as a daytrip, and for trekking in the mountains around it, cycling here is one of our favourite lesser-known cycling routes in Europe. Think of it as a cycling pilgrimage, whether you seek solace in wine, wilderness, or ancient wisdom. There’s a lot of gorgeousness going on here, following a circuit that starts and ends in Vilafranca del Penedès and takes in not only the above greats, but also the medieval town of Montblanc. And as this is an e-bike holiday, you can traverse this fine mix of rural landscapes, vineyards and mountainous terrain with ease.
Camino Primitivo, Spain
Although the Camino Primitivo is considered the original camino, it’s actually one of the quietest, perhaps because it is also more demanding in parts. It takes you between Oviedo, the capital of Asturias and Santiago de Compostela. You can cycle all of it in a strenuous eight days or opt for a more moderate 11 days. However, you don’t have to suffer for your spirituality, and having an option for e-bikes has made the Primitivo a very perky option for pilgrims. This carefully-crafted itinerary offers choices of shorter and longer routes too, following either mountain trails or quiet country roads, the latter running parallel to the historical footpath. In both cases, you see all the major highlights, including the passes of Puerto del Palo (1,146m) and Alto del Acebo (1,030m), an array of ancient religious sites and, of course, the cities of Oviedo, Lugo and Santiago.
“One of the best and most beautiful trips we have done. We have been doing bike trips for many years and with this company for four years in a row. The trip was challenging, the route was lovely, the accommodations were wonderful… It’s a great route, breathtaking views, beautiful little places and lots of nature.” – Yaron, Israel on our Camino Primitivo cycling holiday.
The Côtes d’Armor, Brittany, France
Brittany hides its beauty under a bushel, with cycling trails along the Loire or Provence often the go-to vélo-vacays for French visitors. We love Breton biking, however and, in particular, the Côtes d’Armor. Its name comes from the Breton, ar mor, meaning, quite simply, the sea. They have no need to glam it up in Brittany. They just live and breathe the sea here, celebrating its dramatic coastlines and influences on local culture at every turn. And you will explore some terrific turns on this week-long cycling holiday, which includes the Pink Granite Coast stretching between Trebeurden and Perros Guirec. The pink boulders it is most famous for can be seen at many of its naturally sculpted bays, but they are particularly outstanding at Ploumanac’h. This Breton cycling holiday is accessible by ferry and train, and e-bikes are also available.
Adige Valley Cycle Path, Austria
Yodel and pedal your way around Austria’s alpine scenery following the Adige Valley Cycle Path between Innsbruck and Bolzano in Italy. We can thank the Romans for their long straight roads, even across the Alps, and this one follows the Adige River which is enveloped by the Alps and takes you through chocolate box villages, vineyards and Tyrolean tradition. Starting in Innsbruck and ending in Bolzano, Italy, top spots along the way include a tiny ‘up’ to Reschenpass followed by a glorious downhill to Lake Reschensee, as well as the South Tyrolean Wine Road.
Alto Minho, Portugal
There is some hero dirt to be found on this self-guided cycling holiday in the Alto Minho region, a northern Portuguese paradise. You start off clean as a whistle in the exquisite spa town of Monço and then, over eight days, bike your way through blissful river terrain, including the Miño River’s natural border with Spain and the River Lima, which takes you to one of Portugal’s oldest towns, Ponte de Lima. Explore the coastal forests of Portugal’s Costa Verde (Green Coast), remote farmland and river trails that link ancient towns and villages such as Caminha, with views of rather than vias through the Alto Minho’s Soajo and Peneda Mountains. Traditional mountain bike rental is included in the cost of the tour.
Kattegat Path, Sweden
The Kattegat Path is almost 400km of coastal cycling between the historic port city of Helsingborg and Gothenburg, both on the west coast. Helsingborg is a fantastic spot to start this Swedish adventure, historically a shipping city, it’s now a slick and sustainable one with a medieval heart. Swap its elegant urban environs for natural ones, such as the beaches at Tylösand, Frösakull, Ringenäs and Vilshärad, the windsurfing haven at Apelviken, or the rocky cliff terrain, with views out to islands of Getterön, Balgö and Vendelsö. There are plenty of options to take shortcuts on this tour if you don’t want to do the whole thing, and e-bikes are also available.
“A stunning route, great weather, smooth organisation! My wife and I are great Sweden fans but we didn’t know the west coast very well. This was just the right athletic level and a great mix of road, wood, sand and rocks (plus exquisite Swedish villages).” – Jonny, Amsterdam on our Kattegat Path holiday.
Greek Islands
People come back again and again for our walking holidays on the Greek Islands, but the cycling holidays are Hellenic heaven too. Such as the off-road trails on Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese, taking in ancient sites such as the Acropolis of Lindos or the ruined city of Kamiros. There are also unforgettable velo vistas on the island of Kefalonia which, although it’s the largest of the Ionian islands, is a lot less populated. Cycling along limestone cliffs and cooling down at blissful beaches such as Myrtos or Antisamos feels like a gift from the Greek gods. As does the circuit of ever-changing scenery cycling along the Gulf of Euboea (Evia) and its eponymous island.
We can keep going with our list of lesser-known cycling routes in Europe, but we’ve come to the end of the trail on this one for now. However, you can keep searching all of our cycling holidays here, and don’t hesitate to speak with one of our adventure specialists if you are searching for something specific. In the meantime, you can also see our pannier-ful of cycling blogs, with tips on everything from cycling holidays accessible by rail to top cycling cafés.
Cycling in Umbria (Centre-based)
Cycling in Catalonia: Penedès Wine Region and Montserrat Mountain by e-bike
Cycling the Camino Primitivo: Oviedo to Santiago (8 Days)
Cycling the Camino Primitivo: Oviedo to Santiago (11 Days)
Cycling Brittany: Tregor and the Pink Granite Coast
Adige Cycle Path: Innsbruck to Bolzano
Cycling in Alto Minho
Cycling the Kattegat Path: Helsingborg to Gothenburg
Cycling in Kefalonia
