Our most remote cycling holidays in Europe

Remote cycling holidays in Europe are sometimes hard to find because, by their very nature, they often go under the radar. Which is a good thing of course. As proponents of slow, sustainable travel in regions, where tourism is not only a necessity but also quality in terms of adventurous experiences, we’re honoured to bring our cycling enthusiasts off the beaten path. These include some of Europe’s lesser-known mountain regions, such as the Peneda in Portugal, Norway’s Jotunheimen range or the Baba Mountain massif in Greece’s Macedonia.

North Macedonia and Greek Macedonia

We have several cycling holidays in North Macedonia, which is still off the radar for many people. For the purposes of this blog, however, we’re shining a front light on a cycling holiday that takes you from North Macedonia into Greek Macedonia. Although it starts off in the busier but very beautiful Lake Ohrid, this 13 day cycling holiday takes you off the beaten track very quickly, heading into Galičica National Park, which protects the forests, flora and other fauna of Mount Galičica. Then, as you head into Greece, it’s the wine regions, Lake Kastoria and Baba Mountain massif in Pelister National Park that lines your route. For fans of remote cycling holidays, this really is Macedonia dreaming.

This is one of the busier stretches of North Macedonia. Imagine what the remote bits are like.

Mjølkevegen Cycle Trail in Jotunheimen National Park

If you’re devoted to the remote, Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park is a joy and the Mjølkevegen is a superb 250km cycling trail that takes you through it. Translated as the Milky Way after the dairy farms scattered across this Valdres region, it’s enveloped by the Jotunheimen Mountains. Starting in the north at Lemonsjøen, you head south as far as Kamben on an exhilarating trail with a mix of climbs, downhills and wide-open stretches, surrounded by impressive peaks and lakelands. You can do it over eight days or take on a shorter northern or southern section, each six days long.

“The Mjølkevegen Cycle Trail was a fantastic and surreal experience. The fact of being completely immersed in nature and surrounded by mountains, trees and local fauna gave me an indescribable feeling of freedom. I don’t deny that I found myself screaming into the void and the echo of the mountains a couple of times. It was so liberating!” – Dalila Berlingerio, our adventure specialist.

If you want remote cycling in Europe, say yes way to Norway.

Picos de Europa, Spain

The Picos, as they are known for short, are protected by one of Spain’s lesser-known sixteen national parks and their limestone spires, twisting trails and wildlife habitats are peppered across the provinces of Asturias, Cantabria and León. This nine day, self-guided cycling adventure takes you along some of its most remote mountain trails and valleys, in the regions of Asturias and Cantabria. Although there are some challenging ascents, such as up to Collado de los Buitres at the edge of Casaño Gorge, or to Collado Prioro, where you get views of some of the Picos’ main peaks, there is also an e-bike option. Just because you’re in remote regions, doesn’t mean you can’t be making the most of cycling tech.

Alto Minho, Portugal

If you’re a mountain biking fan, 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, as well as Peneda-Gerês National Park.