Not every trip is about relaxing on a beach and sipping cocktails, some crave a scenic, remote and arduous experience. If this is you, you’re at the right place. Here are some of the best bike trails around the world that take from a day to several months to complete. Whether you’re looking for an endurance trek, a cross-country singletrack, or a road climb, you’ll definitely find a trail suitable for you on this list. These bucket-list rides are guaranteed to be a lot of fun and excitement. Therefore, grab your bike, climb aboard and let’s get started!
1. Colle de Finestre, Piemonte, Italy
Style: Road climb
Distance: 18.6 km
The Colle delle Finestre connects two valleys in the northwest part of Italy: Valle di Susa and Valle del Chisone. The scenery is characterized by lush greenery, orderly vineyards, pretty little farms and neat towns. The trail starts from the town of Susa (in the Cottian Alps) and after an 18.6 km long ascent (no less than 55 hairpins), you’ll arrive at the summit where you can finally refresh yourself from a water fountain and enjoy the views. It is undoubtedly an epic climb that has left many marks in the history of cycling.
2. Best Bike Trails: Alto de Arrate, Basque Country, Spain
Style: Road climb
Distance: 3.7 km
Spain boasts climbs that should be on every cyclist’s bucket list. Arrate has become the most iconic climb in the Basque Country since this climb appears frequently in the Vuelta and annually in the Tour of the Basque Country. It can be climbed from both sides but the southern side starting in Eibar is attritional. The climb features 10 percent grades with a total elevation of 393m. There is no rest until the top!
3. Best Bike Trails: Freeminers Trail, England
Style: Single-track
Distance: 12 km
The Freeminers Trail, situated in the Forest of Dean in Gloucester, England, is a fascinating trail for mountain biking. In the middle ages, the forest was used for hunting and then later on, in the Victorian era for coal mining. Now it’s a protected park featuring this demanding single track with roots and various obstacles. These can challenge even the best bikers. The beauty of this trail is undeniable: trespassing plants, bare roots spreading across the path, and lush greenery all around.
This trail is definitely for experienced riders and off-road quality mountain bikes – you have been warned!
4. Beinn Damh Circuit, Scotland
Style: Rugged single-track trail
Distance: 24 km
This circuit trail is a tough backcountry ride through the 14,500 acres pristine Ben Damph Estate. It begins with an easy ride, letting your muscles warm up then at the south end of the trail you begin the long and weary climb. When you reach the last bit of the track, you’ll be rewarded by a fast and rocky descent through a pine forest to the Hotel Torridon. This track is worth every effort, the scenery is simply stunning.
Note, that there is a beautiful waterfall that is easily accessible from the trail. It is quite popular among hillwalkers, so be cautious not to hit any.
5. La Route Verte, Canada
Style: Standardized bike path (easy ride)
Distance: 255 km
La Route Verte features over 5300 kilometers of well-marked trails zigzagging through isolated rural expanses covering a wide range of scenery. If you wish to embark on one trip along this massive trail, we recommend riding from Montreal to Quebec City. It’s going to be a five-day easy ride and you don’t have to worry about accommodation, there are plenty of places to stay along the way. The path being generally pretty flat, every type of cycling enthusiast can tour it comfortably and safely. No technical skill is needed here.
6. The Whole Enchilada Trail, Utah, USA
Style: Single-track (some double-track parts too)
Distance: 43 km
This is one of the most popular mountain bike trails in the United States. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted though. The track is full of steep descents and in many parts, the terrain is rocky and sandy, it’s not for a beginner. It is legendary among mountain bikers as it is one of the world’s great rides featuring a jaw-dropping descent from the alpine zone to the sandstone canyon of the Colorado River. There are really no words to describe this trail. It’s absolutely spectacular!
7. Munda Biddi trail, Australia
Style: Single-track trail
Distance: 1000 km
Have you ever dreamed about discovering the majesty of Australia’s natural world? If so, cycling through the most exciting terrains of it might be a perfect way. Munda Biddi is a beautiful and massive trail featuring different terrains: eucalyptus forests, bushlands, coastal cliffs, river valleys, and much more. It starts at Sculpture Park and ends in Albany. The trail is reasonably easy (with only occasional difficulties) as it lacks steep slopes and exhausting climbs, but make sure to plan a ride that is suitable for your skill level. (Besides, aim to cycle only 40-50km off-road per day.)
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, you must add this world-class, unique trail to your bucket list!
Before you go, check some of the official websites of the trails:
Freeminers Trail, England
La Route Verte
Munda Biddi trail
Do you want to have an unforgettable hike in Europe? Click here for some of the most beautiful trails!
