Cycling EuroVelo: 20 best routes for cycle travellers [2026]

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While travelling, we've often come across EuroVelo signs and sometimes followed them for many kilometres - in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. In many cases, EuroVelo routes overlapped with national or regional cycling paths that helped guide our way. Below is a selection of our longer journeys along various EuroVelo cycle routes, listed in order by route number.

EuroVelo routes featured on Cycling Thread:

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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.

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EuroVelo 4 - Germany

The section of EuroVelo 4, also known as the Central Europe Route, follows the Main-Radweg for over 500 kilometers - one of Germany's best cycle routes. Cycling through the Main Valley is a mix of beautiful views, local culture, tasty food and relaxed riding. It's an ideal trip for a group of adult friends, with lots to enjoy along the way. One part of the valley belongs to Wine Franconia, the other to Beer Franconia - and each has its own charm. In the wine region, the route follows the river past long rows of vineyards. In the beer region, you'll pass dozens of small breweries inviting you to stop and taste.

More: EuroVelo 4 - Main Cycle Route, Germany

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EuroVelo 4 - Poland

In Małopolska, the Vistula Cycling Route - apart from Kraków - mostly avoids big towns and cities, leading through long stretches of quiet, remote countryside. That contrast gave me an idea for my own trip: instead of riding this part of the route in one day, I turned it into a more varied weekend adventure on bicycle in western Małopolska. I split the two days between the riverside Vistula route, a circular trail through the Carp Valley and the Łączany Canal (also known as the Łączany-Skawina Canal), which now has a brand-new bike path.

More: EuroVelo 4 - Vistula Cycle Route, Poland

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EuroVelo 5 - Switzerland

Switzerland's North-South Route is one of the most iconic Swiss cycling routes. It forms part of EuroVelo 5, also known as the Via Romea (Francigena) and is marked as Route 3. The journey starts in Basel, near the northern border, and ends in Chiasso on the southern edge of Switzerland, taking cyclists over the central Alps via the famous Gotthard Pass. The route is over 360 kilometers long and offers a truly memorable adventure on two wheels. Just keep in mind that some sections are more challenging than on other routes in Switzerland's Veloland network of nine national cycling routes.

More: EuroVelo 5 - North-South Route, Switzerland

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EuroVelo 6 - France

While in France, we explored part of the central Loire Valley by cycling a section of EuroVelo 6 - the Atlantic-Black Sea route. This is the most famous and culturally rich stretch of the river, running from Sully-sur-Loire, near Orléans, to Chalonnes-sur-Loire, near Angers. To fully enjoy this 280-kilometer segment, we followed the Loire à Vélo route - Loire by Bike - and ended up riding about 380 kilometers in total. Our journey led us through Orléans, Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Tours, Chinon and Saumur.

More: EuroVelo 6 - the Loire Valley, France

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EuroVelo 7 - Carinthia, Austria

The Drava Cycle Route is about 510 kilometers long. It starts in Toblach (Dobbiaco), at the foot of the Dolomites in South Tyrol, Italy. From there, it passes through East Tyrol and Carinthia in Austria, crosses Slovenia, and ends in Varaždin, Croatia. Depending on your pace and fitness, the full route usually takes five to seven days and includes many chances to visit local sights and enjoy regional food. Our own ride along the Drava covered just under 300 kilometers. We finished the trip at the Aich/Dob train station, just before the Slovenian border.

More: EuroVelo 7 - Drava Cycle Route, Austria

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EuroVelo 7 - Salzburger Land, Austria

The Alpe-Adria Cycle Route is considered one of the most popular cycling routes in Europe. In Austria, it's called the Alpe-Adria Radweg, while in Italy it's known as the Ciclovia Alpe-Adria - both names highlighting the route's path from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. What makes this journey truly special is a 60-kilometer stretch that follows a former railway line through the Alps. This part of the route offers a unique experience: cyclists ride through old railway tunnels now used only by bikes, and pass over historic bridges and past former train stations.

More: EuroVelo 7 - Alpe-Adria Cycle Route, Austria

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EuroVelo 7 - Brandenburg, Germany

The Havel Cycle Route is a scenic and culturally rich part of EuroVelo 7, also known as the Sun Route. It runs through northeastern Germany, following the Havel River from the Mecklenburg Lakeland, past the edge of Berlin and into the heart of Brandenburg. This quiet stretch offers a mix of peaceful river views and cultural highlights like the palaces of Potsdam. It's an easy, well-kept route that shows just how comfortable and high-quality cycling in Brandenburg can be.

More: EuroVelo 7 - Havel Cycle Route, Germany (coming soon) 👇

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EuroVelo 7 - Saxony, Germany

The Elberadweg is one of Germany's most popular cycle routes and also forms part of EuroVelo 7 - the Sun Route, one of the main long-distance routes in the EuroVelo network. In Germany, it follows the Elbe River from the Czech border, passing through cities like Dresden and Lutherstadt Wittenberg, then heads north toward Potsdam, Berlin and the Baltic Sea port of Rostock. It's a fascinating route that offers a mix of history, culture and scenic landscapes from this part of Europe.

More: EuroVelo 7 - Elbe Cycle Route, Germany

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EuroVelo 7 - Italy

The Italian section of the "sunny" EuroVelo 7 is easily one of the most fascinating cycling routes in Europe. Between Bressanone and Bolzano, it follows a former railway line that's now a smooth and scenic bike path stretching for several dozen kilometers. Further south, the route continues through South Tyrol into the Trentino region, running along the embankments of the Adige River and keeping cyclists safely away from roads and car traffic.

More: EuroVelo 7 - Sun Route, Italy (coming soon) 👇

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EuroVelo 9 - Poland

The Vistula Cycling Route in the Pomorskie region has been given new life through its integration into the international EuroVelo 9 route, which runs from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic. Thanks to European Union funding, the route now includes new cycling infrastructure, such as dedicated bike paths. In some places, entirely new lanes have been built, in others, the route still follows quiet public roads. As part of a wider update of cycling signage in Poland, the Vistula route also received new fluorescent orange signs with the EuroVelo 9 logo.

More: EuroVelo 9 - Vistula Cycle Route, Poland

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EuroVelo 10 - Denmark

What makes Copenhagen's cycling culture so legendary? Does the same level of care apply to cycling tourism across the rest of Denmark? What is the Danish Baltic coast really like? And can the dramatic sea cliffs of southern Denmark truly be called the crown jewels of the Baltic? These were the questions I had in mind while riding the Danish section of EuroVelo 10 - the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, one of Europe's most popular long-distance bike adventures. The answers were sometimes surprising, but one thing became very clear: Copenhagen and Denmark really are a cyclist's paradise.

More: EuroVelo 10 - Baltic Sea Cycle Route, Denmark

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EuroVelo 10 - Germany

Of all the sections of EuroVelo 10 around the Baltic Sea, northern Germany may offer the most attractive stretch. What makes it stand out is its varied and scenic coastline, a rich cultural and historical background shaped by the Hanseatic League, and excellent cycling and accommodation infrastructure that makes the journey smooth and enjoyable. That's why I often recommend the German part of EuroVelo 10 as the perfect starting point for anyone planning their first pannier-packed cycling adventure.

More: EuroVelo 10 - Ostseeküsten-Radweg, Germany

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EuroVelo 10 - Latvia

EuroVelo 10 is a great starting point for planning a cycling trip through western Latvia. The route offers a mix of landscapes - wide coastal views with long beaches, inland forests and stretches of wetlands. Along the way, you'll pass through small fishing villages and larger towns like Liepāja, Latvia's third-largest city, and Ventspils, which has the country's second-busiest port. While cycling infrastructure in Latvia is slowly improving, much of this route still follows regular public roads - some of which can be quite busy during the summer season.

More: EuroVelo 10 - Baltic Sea Cycle Route, Latvia

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EuroVelo 10 - Pomorskie, Poland

The cycling route along the Baltic Sea coast in the Pomorskie region, formerly known as R10, is now officially part of EuroVelo 10. A number of improvements are being made to enhance the experience along this section of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route. Some stretches have been resurfaced with smoother, more comfortable pavement, and in a few places, the official route has been adjusted. Paths that once went through scenic but challenging terrain have been replaced with easier, more accessible alternatives - making the ride more enjoyable for a wider range of cyclists.

More: EuroVelo 10 - Baltic Sea Cycle Route, Poland

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EuroVelo 10 - West Pomerania, Poland

The coastal cycling route in West Pomerania is currently known by three different names. The oldest - and still the most familiar to many Polish cyclists - is R10, which can still be seen on some signs along the Baltic coast. The new official name for the entire Polish section of the route, including the Pomorskie region, is EuroVelo 10, reflecting its place in the international EuroVelo network. The third and newest name is Velo Baltica - a modern, elegant name that fits well with the growing trend of using the "velo" prefix for bike routes.

More: EuroVelo 10 - Velo Baltica, Poland

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EuroVelo 11 - Małopolska, Poland

In Poland, EuroVelo 11 overlaps with VeloDunajec only on a short section, but together they create a convenient cycling corridor in the south of the country. The international north-south route uses new, high-quality infrastructure built as part of the VeloMałopolska project. On the shared sections, both routes run mainly along the Dunajec River on dedicated cycle paths. This highlights the importance of VeloDunajec within the European long-distance cycling network, including EuroVelo 11.

More: EuroVelo 11 - VeloDunajec, Poland

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EuroVelo 12 - the Netherlands

During our summer ride through the Netherlands, part of our loop through historic Friesland followed EuroVelo 12 - the cycling route that circles the North Sea. While the Dutch coast offers beautiful views of the Wadden Sea, it doesn't have a large number of major tourist attractions. Instead, its charm lies in the quiet former fishing villages hidden behind massive flood protection dikes. The Dutch section of EuroVelo 12 can also serve as a main route for your trip, with plenty of options for side excursions - including visits to the unique West Frisian Islands.

More: EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route, the Netherlands

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EuroVelo 13 - Germany

Along the Hessen Railway Cycle Route, just past the town of Hilders, yellow and blue EuroVelo 13 signs start to appear, marking the European Iron Curtain Route. This was once the dividing line between East and West Germany. Today, the former border area is part of the Green Belt Germany (Grünes Band Deutschland) - a nearly 1,400-kilometer ecological corridor running from north to south. It's designed to protect nature, offering a safe haven for plants and animals, but it also makes for a unique and meaningful cycling destination.

More: EuroVelo 13 - Hessen Railway Cycle Route, Germany

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EuroVelo 14 - Austria

We explored the first section of EuroVelo 14 (Waters of Central Europe) during a week-long cycling trip along the Enns Cycle Route, which follows the Enns River through the Austrian Alps. The path winds through a mountain valley, mixing smooth asphalt cycle tracks with quiet local roads used mostly by nearby farms and residents. As the name suggests, EuroVelo 14 links many types of water landscapes - from fast-flowing alpine rivers to calm lowland waterways, all the way to Hungary's Lake Balaton, where the route ends.

More: EuroVelo 14 - Ennsradweg, Austria (coming soon) 👇

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EuroVelo 15 - Switzerland

The Swiss section of the Rhine Route marks the starting point of EuroVelo 15 - a trans-European cycling journey that stretches over 1,200 kilometers, ending where the Rhine flows into the North Sea. The route begins in the alpine resort town of Andermatt and climbs up to the Oberalp Pass. From near the river's source, it then follows the upper Rhine as it descends toward the city of Chur. Beyond Chur, in the canton of Graubünden, the river becomes wider and calmer, flowing through a broad valley toward Lake Constance. From there, the ride continues along the lively southern shore of the lake, passing through charming towns like Stein am Rhein and by Europe's largest waterfall - the Rhine Falls - before reaching Basel.

More: EuroVelo 15 - Rhine Route, Switzerland