The best long distance cycling routes to explore in 2025

Embarking on a long-distance cycling adventure is one of the best ways to explore the world, challenge yourself, and experience breathtaking landscapes up close. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist looking for your next epic ride or a beginner eager to push your limits, 2025 can be the year when you discover some amazing routes. I went through my cycling bucket list, reviewed some of my favourite routes I have cycled, and created this guide to help you make 2025 the year of your best cycling adventure!

Rallarvegen

Nestled on the edge of the Hardangervidda Plateau lies one of Norway’s most scenic cycle routes – Rallarvegen. During the construction of the Oslo-Bergen railway line, the path served to convey materials and workers, building one of Europe’s most challenging railway projects in this rugged landscape.

The Rallarvegen opened to cyclists in 1974 and is one of the favourite cycling routes for Norwegians and foreign tourists.

Climate change makes many other destinations too hot to cycle in summer. On Rallarvegen, however, you’ll always find a cool breeze. Most of the path is at an altitude above 1000 m a.s.l. Early in July, you’ll likely still see patches of snow scattered around the plateau. Before embarking on the Rallarvegen, check the current weather status.

If you’re fit, you can challenge yourself to cycling the entire route in one day (be aware that there are quite a few steep and challenging climbs). However, splitting it in two or three days is much better. You can spend a night in one of the mountain hotels along the route or enjoy the Norwegian friluftsliv to the fullest and sleep in your tent surrounded by Nordic wildlife.

Via Verde de Ojos Negros

Spain is a popular destination among road cyclists, with scenic roads and plenty of demanding climbs. But if you’re more into a leisurely cycle touring, you’ll also find plenty of excellent routes there. Last year, I cycled the Via Verde de Ojos Negros and can, without a doubt, say that it is one of the best routes for beginner cycle tourers.

Via Verde de Ojos Negros is the longest Spanish Greenway – a cycle and hiking route built on old railway lines. A weekend ride from Teruel to the port of Sagunto will take you through numerous charming viaducts, bicycle tunnels and copper-red canyons. 

Most of the time, you’ll ride downhill and on a designated cycle path that passes sleepy mountain villages, abandoned train stations and charming towns. You have a good chance of encountering wildlife (we saw a group of deer and some majestic eagles). 

Cycling around the Tatra Mountains

Looking for a perfect loop with Alpine-like vistas that you can cycle in a few days? How about the Tatra Mountains circuit on the Polish-Slovak border? 

The Tatras are the highest range of the Carpathians. On this route, you’ll get the chance to circumnavigate its highest peaks. 

Apart from the breathtaking nature, you can find charming wooden churches and cute little towns along the route.

Unfortunately, only a part of the route leads on dedicated bicycle paths, and the signage is missing. Still, with some experience and a GPX track, you’ll enjoy exploring this lesser-known mountain range. 

If 280 km is not enough, you can extend your tour by another 200 km and take another excellent neighbouring route: Velo Dunajec.

Alpe Adria

Alpe Adria is the perfect bike route if you’ve always dreamt about cycling in the Alps but are not a big fan of long, strenuous climbs. It follows the old railway, and its many tunnels and viaducts allow you to cycle among idyllic Alpine landscapes between Salzburg and Grado without constantly battling challenging hills and mountain passes.

The route starts in Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg. It passes through national parks, mountain lakes, and quaint villages before reaching the Adriatic coast.

Alpe Adria’s biggest strength is its excellent cycling infrastructure. Most of the trail has dedicated cycle lanes and plenty of rest areas with picnic tables, restaurants, hotels, and campsites. If you’re in decent physical shape, Alpe Adria is the perfect route for your first long-distance bike tour.

Congo Nile Trail

Cycle tourism in Africa is niche and has so far been reserved for the more adventurous travellers. However, Rwanda, the host of the 2025 UCI Road Cycling World Championship, has a perfect route for those who want to explore its countryside slowly and sustainably.

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda truly is a perfect playground for cyclists. And the best way to start your adventure with this country is the Congo Nile Trail.

The 280-km-long Congo Nile Trail follows the eastern shore of Lake Kivu, which lies on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The route is very hilly and challenging, but the landscapes and rich wildlife will make up for the effort. You’ll cycle through some of Africa’s oldest rainforests, which are home to many animals, such as chimpanzees and colobuses.

The trail is signposted, and there is enough infrastructure along the route to cycle it independently. However, many tour operators can help you organize your trip if you want to cycle the Congo Nile Trail with a guide (for example, this one or this one).

Trans Dinarica

Launched in July 2024, Trans Dinarica is an unprecedented project. This cycle route connects eight Balkan countries, hoping to bring tourists into less-explored areas of the region (you can read more about it in my article for BBC Travel).

It also makes cycling in the Balkans easier than ever before. The entire route is 5500 km long, but the Trans Dinarica creators prepared multiple shorter itineraries so you can choose one that fits your schedule.

I cycled from Podgorica to Sarajevo last year. It was one of the most stunning routes I’ve ever taken! 

Cycling in the Dinaric Alps won’t be easy—brace yourself for plenty of climbs and changing conditions—but you will be rewarded with breathtaking vistas, long descents from remote mountain passes, and the genuine kindness of locals who are always ready to invite cyclists for rakija or coffee.

The Pamir Highway (M41)

The Pamir Highway is like the Holy Grail of adventurous bike touring. I met many cyclists who have done a round-the-world bike tour, and almost all of them mentioned the Pamir Highway as the absolute highlight of their journey. 

As the second-highest road in the world, climbing up to 4600 meters above sea level, cycling the Pamir Highway is arduous. It requires a lot of endurance and mental strength. Life In the high mountains of Pamir is rough, so prepare for long distances between villages, spartan conditions and slow and strenuous cycling on bumpy dirt roads. 

In return, you’ll experience astonishing views, wild camping on the top of the world, and unique Central Asian hospitality.

What are your bike touring and bikepacking plans for 2025? Share them in the comments!