Best Bike Trails in the World

You’ll cruise smoothly on the 900km Loire à Vélo, perfect for hybrid or e-bikes with 35mm tires, passing 22 châteaux on flat, paved paths, while families love New Zealand’s 152km Otago Trail, a disused rail line with cafes and repair stations, and adventurers tackle the 4,300km Great Divide with GPS, repair kits, and lightweight shelters-each route proven for surface quality, safety, and gear performance, so keep exploring to find your ideal ride.

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Notable Insights

• Loire à Vélo in France offers a 900km family-friendly route past 22 châteaux on flat, well-marked former railway paths.
• Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand spans 152km of smooth, scenic terrain ideal for beginners and children.
• Great Divide Mountain Bike Route stretches 4,300km from Canada to New Mexico, demanding advanced skills and self-sufficiency.
• Shimanami Kaido in Japan features 70km of coastal views, bridges, and well-supported cycling infrastructure.
• Baltic Sea Cycle Route covers 600km through historic cities and dunes, offering safe, signposted paths for all riders.

Europe’s Most Scenic Cycling Routes

You’ll love the Loire à Vélo in France-it’s a 900km family-friendly route with flat, well-paved paths winding through the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley and past 22 iconic châteaux like Chambord and Chenonceau. The Loire à Vélo cycle route offers smooth cycling experiences, with well-marked cycle paths ideal for hybrid bikes and pannier setups. You’ll pedal through scenic landscapes, enjoy breathtaking views of vineyards and riverbanks, and explore charming towns like Amboise and Blois. Much of the route follows a disused railway, ensuring minimal elevation and safe, consistent pavement. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the valley preserves its historic towns and natural beauty. The cycling experience blends comfort and culture, perfect for riders using touring bikes with 35mm tires or e-bikes for longer days. You’ll appreciate frequent signage, repair stations, and luggage transfer services-ideal for multi-day trips with light backpacks and weather-resistant gear.

Family-Friendly Bike Routes Around the World

While some routes demand high-end racing bikes and peak fitness, plenty of family-friendly trails around the world are designed for comfort, safety, and ease-perfect if you’re riding with kids or just starting out. The Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand is one such route: 152 kilometers along a disused railway line, the trail is mostly flat and ideal for a relaxed cycle tour. Loire à Vélo in France is another standout, with 900 kilometers of cycling trails through vineyards and historic towns-the route is mostly flat, making it a top pick among popular bicycle routes. The trail follows old railway lines in sections, offering smooth, sealed paths. Along the trail, you’ll find châteaux, rest stops, and kid-friendly cafes. Whether it’s the Shimanami Kaido, Great Victorian Rail Trail, or Alpe-Adria route, each trail follows repurposed infrastructure, often a railway line, ensuring gentle gradients and safe, scenic riding.

Demanding Mountain Bike Routes

Though not for the faint of heart, some mountain bike routes push riders to their limits with extreme elevation, technical terrain, and remote conditions that demand top-tier gear and preparation. You’ll face relentless climbs and descents on trails like the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, a 4,300-kilometer off-road cycle through the rocky mountains from Canada to New Mexico. The Route of Death in Bolivia drops 3,450 meters over 64 kilometers on narrow, foggy paths with deadly drop-offs. Chile’s Carretera Austral spans 1,240 kilometers through national parks, glaciers, and Andean passes, while Australia’s Munda Biddi Trail winds 1,067 kilometers through dense forests and coastal cliffs. These mountain cycling routes test endurance, bike handling, and survival skills-bring a repair kit, GPS, and lightweight shelter. They’re not just trails-they’re expeditions.

Ride These Historic Railway Trails

If you’re after a ride that combines history, scenery, and smooth, well-maintained paths, historic railway trails offer some of the most accessible long-distance cycling routes around, converted from old rail lines into wide, gently graded tracks perfect for hybrid or gravel bikes with 35–45mm tires. The Otago Central Rail Trail stretches 150 kilometers through New Zealand’s rugged interior, where the trail begins in Clyde and the route meanders past historic gold mining towns. Once-active railway tracks now host relaxed cycling, with gentle grades ideal for all skill levels. This popular cycling path, like Quebec’s Le P’tit Train du Nord, follows a historic railway with minimal elevation, letting you cover serious distance comfortably. On a bike loaded with panniers, you’ll appreciate the smooth shifts over gravel and asphalt. Whether you’re on the Great Victorian Rail Trail or soaring above valleys on Kettle Valley’s Myra Canyon Trestles, these repurposed railway tracks deliver scenic, steady rides worth packing for.

Bike These Stunning Coastal Routes

Forget rail trails and quiet backcountry grades-coastal routes deliver big scenery with every pedal stroke, and they’re ready for your next adventure. You’ll cycle along the west coast on one of the most beautiful cycling routes on Earth: the Pacific Coast Route. With dramatic cliffs, beaches, and forests, it’s a dream come true. Along the route, you’ll find divine regional flavors and fresh local cuisine. Whether you’re tackling Chile’s Carretera Austral or Ireland’s MizMal trail, you’ll need durable tires, a lightweight frame, and reliable hydration packs.

On a final note

You’ve got the map, now gear up: pack a 20L waterproof backpack, carry a spare tube, multi-tool, and mini pump, and wear a properly fitted Giro Register MIPS helmet. Trails like the Loire Valley or Carretera Austral shine when you’re ready. Bring durable shoes-Shimano ME7s grip well-layer with breathable fabrics, and use bar ends for long climbs. Ride confidently, stay prepped, and every turn delivers.