Cycling Thread – Europe’s Most Beautiful Bike Paths
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Cycling Thread – Europe’s Most Beautiful Bike Paths

by Simonthread

in Other › Members' personal websites

Translated into English.

Original post
SI
Simonthread
16 posts
Hi there! I’m Simon, and for years I’ve been exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful and well-equipped bike paths. My passion for cycling led me to start a blog where I share my travel impressions, practical tips, and photos taken along the way. I ride both well-known routes like the Alpe-Adria, the Loire à Vélo, and the Rhein Route, as well as lesser-known but equally charming regions.



In my stories, I pay special attention to the quality of infrastructure, cyclist safety, and route accessibility—for young and old, experienced riders and beginners alike. I love discovering and sharing spots that are truly welcoming for cycle tourists: well-marked, with rest areas and easy train access.

On the blog, you’ll find ready-to-follow route suggestions, tips for preparing your bike trips, and plenty of inspiration for your next adventures. I travel with my panniers, a camera in the front bag, and always keep an eye out for what’s around me. Feel free to check out my blog, Cycling Thread—you might find some ideas for your next bike getaway! :-)

* * *

I hope this won’t just be a one-off post—I’ll try to share our bike trips with you here regularly. To start: our May trip on the Elberadweg, the queen of German bike paths, between the stunning city of Dresden and Magdeburg. I invite you to visit:

Elberadweg in Germany – From Dresden to Magdeburg

The Elbe bike path is about 1200 km long, following the river from its source in the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic to its mouth in Cuxhaven, on the North Sea. The route crosses a variety of landscapes: mountain valleys, vineyards, open plains, and coastline. As is often the case in Germany, the signage is excellent and the route easy to follow.

But what surprised us was the number of cobblestone sections! Sure, the cobblestones are well-laid and fairly smooth—but they’re still cobblestones. And when they disappear, they’re often replaced by concrete slabs, typical of river dikes. That’s just part of the face of this 30-year-old "queen"—a heritage that’s hard to replace entirely with fresh asphalt.

Along the way, don’t miss the many cultural highlights. Dresden impresses with its restored old town, the Frauenkirche, and the Brühl Terraces along the Elbe—it’s one of Germany’s most elegant cities. In Meissen, you can visit the famous porcelain factory and its Gothic cathedral. Wittenberg is a must-stop to follow in Martin Luther’s footsteps, with its castle church and Reformation Museum. And to finish, in Dessau-Roßlau, besides the Bauhaus, don’t miss the stunning Dessau-Wörlitz landscape gardens—one of the oldest English-style parks in Europe.

A few photos to give you a feel for the route and inspire you to check out our blog! :-)











Happy cycling!

Simon
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
SI Simonthread ·
We're continuing :) with something that’s probably close to your heart—The Loire à Vélo! It’s a legendary cycling route for many, and we rode it from Sully-sur-Loire to Angers. Here’s our full story:

La Loire à Vélo – from Sully-sur-Loire to Angers

Even though La Loire à Vélo is considered one of Europe’s best-designed cycling routes, it wasn’t exactly what we’d pictured. We expected a perfectly smooth surface the whole way, but instead found a mix—gravel paths, sections shared with cars. At first, we were surprised, but then we realized: what if these little imperfections were actually part of the charm and authenticity of France’s approach to cycle tourism?

Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t the roads that wowed us the most—it was the châteaux and palaces. Without their monumental grandeur, Renaissance opulence, and the stunning villages around them, La Loire à Vélo wouldn’t be the same. In just a few days, we visited no fewer than 14 châteaux (if we counted right!)—a packed pace that let us soak up the region’s incredible heritage. And what we loved most? Each château had its own personality, its own style, its own gardens.

La Loire now ranks fourth on our list of Europe’s best cycling routes—we’d love for you to check out our story! :) Here are some of our favorite photos:











S.
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
SI Simonthread ·
Our latest cycling travel story is now online—welcome to Carinthia, on the Carinthian Lakes Cycle Loop (Kärnten Seen-Schleife) :-)

The Carinthian Lakes Loop - from Villach to Villach

This route was created a few years ago. The Carinthian Lakes Loop now stretches for about 420 kilometers, following the region’s rivers and skirting its stunning lakes, all set against the majestic backdrop of the southern Austrian Alps. Two major cities lie at the heart of the route—Klagenfurt and Villach—which can serve as either your starting and ending points or as a home base for several days of excursions.

Carinthia has long been developing cycle tourism—two famous European routes pass through here: the Alpe-Adria and the Drava/Drau Cycle Path. Thanks to this, accommodations are well-prepared for cyclists: hotels with secure bike storage, tailored services, and more.

The quality of the infrastructure is also worth highlighting: well-maintained surfaces and cycling paths largely separated from car traffic. The vast majority of the route uses dedicated bike paths, either paved or gravel. Many follow the water closely—rivers or lakes—and you’ll rarely have to share the road with cars.

A few photos from the route:











S.
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
SI Simonthread ·
This time, something big ;) up north.

EuroVelo 10, known in Poland as Velo Baltica, follows the Baltic Sea coast through West Pomerania, from Świnoujście to Międzyzdroje and Kołobrzeg, all the way to Ustka, and then further toward Trójmiasto. During our trip, we quickly realized that its location makes it one of the most attractive cycling routes in Poland. Another plus is the easy train access from Berlin to Świnoujście or Szczecin.

Velo Baltica (EuroVelo 10) - from Świnoujście to Ustka

The Polish section of EuroVelo 10 has seen major changes in recent years, which we witnessed firsthand. New bike paths have been built, comfortable stretches now run through forests and towns, and the tourist infrastructure is well-maintained. But the biggest improvement is the disappearance of the problematic sandy sections, which were still a real obstacle not long ago. This time, the route was smooth, well-prepared, and entirely rideable.

The entire Polish stretch of EuroVelo 10 is a very appealing option, especially if you choose a time outside the peak summer season. During our autumn trip, we enjoyed the quiet, empty beaches, and coastal forests without the crowds of vacationers. This atmosphere made the ride truly pleasant and allowed us to focus on pedaling and the scenery. In summer, it’s a different story—the crowds in seaside resorts can make progress difficult.















S.
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
DJ Djalma Globetrotter ·
Hi there, This review of the beautiful bike paths is really great! I’m more of an occasional cyclist, but the Polish EuroVelo route along the Baltic ("Vélo Baltica") is really tempting! You should post your messages in the "Traveling by Bike" section if you haven’t already—it’d definitely interest the many cyclists on VF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XCOyB7WStI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2eI67iCbKY
SI Simonthread ·
Thanks so much for your kind message! :)

I post my articles here because it seems to fit the forum rules :) It’s probably the right place to share trips that are already described on the website.

(On one hand, I’d love to share our content, but on the other, I don’t want anyone to accuse me of spamming...)

But if you—or anyone else—have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them, either in this thread or in the Cycling section.

Have a great day! :)

S.
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
SI Simonthread ·
In May, we spent a week cycling in the Luberon, following the "Autour du Luberon à Vélo" routes, EuroVelo 8, and several other local cycling paths. The region won us over with its stunning landscapes, quiet roads, and charming hilltop villages like Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Lourmarin. It’s a place where the joy of cycling blends perfectly with discovering some of Provence’s most beautiful scenery. Full story on the forum: 👏

Provence - Around the Luberon by Bike, EuroVelo 8, and Other Cycling Routes

In a separate thread, we describe the most interesting villages, the routes we took, and our impressions of this part of Provence. You’ll also find details on EuroVelo 8, other cycling routes, how to access the region, accommodations, and bike rentals. If you’re planning a cycling trip in southern France, the Luberon is definitely worth your attention.







S.
Cycling Thread - suivez-nous sur Komoot: pour les meilleures collections d’itinéraires à vélo
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Aventure98 5 months ago
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East (Ponta de São Lourenço + Pico do Arieiro) for spectacular volcanic landscapes

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Hug0 5 months ago · Djalma
My Travel-Related Blogs
Here are my two blogs dedicated to travel, especially in France.

If you have any topics you'd like me to cover, I'm all ears!

Villes.fr Top-Vacances.com

Thanks, and have a great day
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Noirenvoyage 5 months ago
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Aventure98 5 months ago
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I especially noted a bunch of details to avoid hassles: when to go (wind/weather), how to get around (a car is pretty much essential), what to watch out for on the road at night, and even super practical tips for summer accommodations.

If you want the full article with all the practical info + must-sees (and our tips to avoid mishaps), it’s here: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/que-faire-mirleft-au-maroc-en-7-jours.html

Happy reading and/or safe travels! :)
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Randonnefou 6 months ago · Dubri
Great Jura Crossing on foot
The Great Jura Crossing on foot is a long-distance hiking trail (GR) that winds through the Jura Mountains, from Mandeure, near Montbéliard (in the north), to Culoz in the Ain region (in the south). The GTJ fully crosses the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park and offers a detour into neighboring Switzerland. Inaugurated in 2004, the GTJ on foot follows the GR GTJ long-distance trails and sometimes the GR 5 and GR 9.

The full GTJ hike takes 15 to 20 days. Since my vacation time isn’t unlimited, I opted for a 10-day trek from Pont-de-Roide to Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, covering nearly 320 kilometers (so about 60 kilometers short) with 10,000 meters of elevation gain—and just as much descent. The route is classic, except for the must-do variant via the Colomby de Gex (Balcon du Léman).

Accommodations include mountain huts, step lodges, and guest rooms with tables loaded with Morbier cheese gratin, Morteau sausages, rösti, and michons... Oh, and I almost forgot: I’m hiking solo...

http://lerandonneurfou.blogspot.fr/2014/05/la-grande-traversee-du-jura-gtj.html
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Aventure98 6 months ago
4 days in Copenhagen in winter
Hi everyone, I just published an article with our itinerary for visiting Copenhagen in 4 days during winter (December): day-by-day schedule, practical info (budget, weather, transport, Copenhagen Card), where to stay, plus our thoughts on the must-sees (Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, Amalienborg, contemporary art museum, botanical garden) and a balanced take on Christiania. If it can help those planning a city trip: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/visiter-copenhague-en-4-jours-que-faire.html Happy planning, and if you have any questions, I’m happy to answer! !
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Aventure98 6 months ago
Andalusia: 10-day trip
Hi there, We went on a 10-day road trip through Andalusia in October 2024, traveling independently. Our itinerary took us through Seville, Ronda, Guadix, and Granada, with a few nature detours and manageable driving distances. We took the time to put together our day-by-day route and some feedback (pace, distances, what we’d do again or skip) in an article, in case it helps other travelers: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/andalousie-itineraire-road-trip-10-jours.html Happy planning to those heading out soon!
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Aventure98 6 months ago
Malta - 7-day trip
Hi there, We just got back from a 7-day trip to Malta in winter 2025, organized independently. Itinerary: Valletta, Mdina, Mellieħa, cliffs, and natural sites, with generally pleasant but sometimes changeable weather. We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary and some practical feedback (pace, getting around, what’s really worth it in winter) here: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/malte-hiver-itineraire-7-jours.html Happy travels to those planning their trip!
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Aventure98 6 months ago
Sri Lanka: Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Udawalawe, Tangalle
Hi there, We just got back from a 2-week trip to Sri Lanka in April 2024, organized independently. Our itinerary took us to: Sigiriya (sunrise from Pidurangala), Kandy, Ella (train), Udawalawe, and Tangalle. We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary, our experiences from this trip, and some practical tips here: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/sri-lanka-itineraire-2-semaines.html Happy travels to those planning their trip! !
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Aventure98 6 months ago
Two-Week Trip to China - Beijing, Guilin, Dazhai, Wuhan
Hi, We just got back from a two-week independent trip to China in April 2025. The country can seem intimidating at first (language, transportation, payments), and the language barrier is very real, even in big cities. Our itinerary took us to Beijing, the Great Wall (Mutianyu), then to Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces (Dazhai), and Wuhan. All travel was by train, subway, and DiDi (local Uber). We’ve put together our day-by-day itinerary and some practical tips based on our experience in this post—hope it helps for a first trip to China: https://aventures-sans-mesaventure.blogspot.com/2026/01/chine-itineraire-2-semaines.html Happy travels to those planning their trip!
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Toukan 6 months ago
Sharing my travel photography and reporting blog
Hi everyone.

Even though my blog has been online for nearly 18 years, I wanted to tweak the navigation a bit. The homepage still features a selection of "miscellaneous" photos on various wildlife subjects I’ve photographed or trips I’ve taken. https://www.toucan-photo.com/fr/

Toucan’s photos

From each photo, you can navigate to the selection for that country, a specific category (birds, night skies, etc.), or the year the photo was taken.

And of course, from the main menu, you can access an interactive map with articles or different selections from the site, all plotted on a map.

What do you think? Does the map work properly for you? Any navigation issues on smartphones and/or tablets?

Thanks in advance for your feedback
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Xxplilyrose 7 months ago
GR20 Between Brother and Sister: Our Experience!
GR20 Experience – North to South

Hey there, I’m sharing a video recap of our GR20 trek here. We set off to do both the North and South sections, but I got injured and had to stop at Vizzavona while my brother carried on to complete the full traverse.

It’s a vlog, not a technical guide: landscapes, vibes, exhaustion, moments of doubt, and the reality on the ground. If it can help or give a concrete glimpse of the GR20 to those planning the trek, here’s the link:

👋 https://youtu.be/-zxLWzGXyCc?si=s-6STr98p9dSrDnR

Enjoy the watch! !
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