For many, traveling by bike is the perfect alternative to fast-paced, fly-in-fly-out travel. Indeed, it’s challenging to find a better way to explore a destination than on two wheels, slowly traversing a landscape that unfolds in front of you. Cycling allows you to appreciate your surroundings, escape the tourist crowds, and ultimately, it’s a sustainable mode of transport that leaves minimal impact on the environment you wish to admire.
If you’re passionate about cycling or eager to nurture that interest, check out these epic bike rides worldwide. These life-affirming adventures will lead you across salt flats in Bolivia or up the hills of the Moroccan High Atlas.
1. Southern Namibia
Start: Windhoek
End: Felix Unite
Distance: 621 miles (1000km)
Namibia boasts the second lowest population density globally, with most residents in the north, leaving the south remarkably sparse. While the terrain is dry and demanding, it also possesses stunning natural beauty.
A seven-day, unsupported 621-mile (1000km) bike journey through this breathtaking landscape, from Windhoek to the South African border, necessitates careful planning, packing, and considerable self-reliance. Given the vast distances between towns, a recommended route is to head southwest to Sesriem to visit Sossusvlei’s red dunes and salt pans. Continue south through Helmeringhausen and Seeheim, stopping in Hobas to admire Fish River Canyon, before heading to Felix Unite near the Noordoewer crossing to South Africa.
2. La Farola, Cuba
Start: Cajobabo
End: Baracoa
Distance: 34 miles (55km)
Recognized as one of the seven modern engineering wonders of Cuba, La Farola links the coastal village of Cajobabo with the enchanting city of Baracoa.
Stretching 34 miles (55km), the route winds through the steep Sierra del Puril, offering a Tour de France-style challenge with thrilling climbs, invigorating descents, and relatively smooth paths. Starting 124 miles (200km) east of Santiago de Cuba, this ride is ideally part of a larger Cuban cycling adventure.
3. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia
Start: Uyuni
End: Sabaya
Distance: 186 miles (300km)
Cycling atop the surreal salt crust of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is a highlight for many South America travelers. This high-altitude adventure spans five to six days, with a chance to resupply in the midway settlement of Llica.
As the largest salt flat in the world, pedaling here offers an extraordinary experience. Imagine setting up camp on a stark white expanse, seasoning your dinner with the salty earth beneath you, and waking to a morning glow of ethereal lavender light.
This journey is best undertaken in Bolivia’s winter, as seasonal rains inundate the salt lakes in summer.
4. Blue Ridge Parkway, USA
Start: Shenandoah National Park near Waynesboro, Virginia
End: Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, North Carolina
Distance: 469 miles (755km)
The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway offers a roller-coaster-like experience from Virginia to North Carolina. Riders generally allocate ten days to cover the 469-mile (755km) route, which crosses four national forests and includes 176 bridges and multiple historic sites.
Expect to encounter sweeping forests, bubbling rivers, picturesque waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers or fall foliage, and mountains crowned by clouds. Roadside attractions include the Blue Ridge Music Center and Julian Price Memorial Park, making for a scenic and enriching journey.
5. High Atlas, Morocco
Start: Marrakech
End: Zagora
Distance: 342 miles (550km)
This route runs from Marrakech to Zagora and traverses the majestic High Atlas beneath the towering Mt. Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak at 4167m.
Starting from the mountains via Agdz, your route winds through the resilient Drâa Valley, showcasing extraordinary yet arid landscapes. Since travel to Morocco is affordable from Europe, this route offers a chance to delve into cycling in a unique and adventurous region.
6. The Camel Trail, England
Start: Padstow
End: Blisland
Distance: 18 miles (29km)
Once serving as a railway connecting the south-west to London, the Camel Trail is now a family-friendly cycle path that runs through some of >Cornwall’s most charming countryside.
The route runs alongside the Camel Estuary, through woodlands and towards Bodmin, with an emphasis on traffic-free cycling. Be sure to keep an eye out for diverse birdlife, making this an enjoyable ride for both cyclists and nature enthusiasts.
7. Doi Suthep, Thailand
Start: Chiang Mai
End: Doi Suthep
Distance: 11 miles (18km)
An excursion to Chiang Mai is incomplete without ascending the steep Doi Suthep, located right outside the city. The winding road climbs through dense forests toward the 1600m high mountain, renowned for its sacred 13th-century temple, Wat Phra That.
As you ascend, the vibrant urban landscape of Chiang Mai fades into the serene, lush surroundings peppered with hill-tribe villages. This ascent presents an engaging challenge with steep switchbacks and smooth bends, perfect for keen cyclists.
8. Lake Geneva, Switzerland
Start/End: Geneva
Distance: 124 miles (200km)
Surrounded by the French Alps, Lake Geneva offers breathtaking scenery with vineyards leading down to its shores and charming villages waiting to be discovered.
The flat 124-mile (200km) Tour du Léman follows Cycle Route 46, ideal for families and cyclists of all skill levels. Departing Geneva, the route weaves along countryside trails, revealing the beautiful lake as you make your way past delightful beaches to the Olympic city of Lausanne.
As the journey progresses, expect stunning landscapes, leading you through the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards of the Lavaux, and past renowned locations like Vevey and Montreux.
9. The Forgotten World Highway, New Zealand
Start: Stratford, Taranaki
End: Taumaranui
Distance: 93 miles (150km)
Tracing the paths carved by early pioneers, The Forgotten World Highway provides glimpses of abandoned towns and the quirky ‘republic’ of Whangamomona (remember to have your passport stamped!).
Begin your journey in Stratford, below the majestic snow-capped Mt. Taranaki, as you traverse lush valleys, fierce rivers, charming tunnels, and narrow bridges. Ensure you pack supplies, as options to resupply are sparse along this captivating route.
This article was first published on January 21, 2020, and last updated on April 29, 2022.
