Weekend cycling trips - 13 ideas for short bike tours in Europe [2025]

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Why weekend cycling trips are popular

For a cycling weekend to be truly enjoyable, good access and return connections are essential - ideally by efficient and cyclist-friendly rail. A reliable tourist base also makes a difference, with comfortable places to stay and the right services for cyclists. Along the way it's important to have spots where you can eat well and local attractions that add variety to the ride. Together these elements create a smooth and rewarding experience, turning a simple two-day trip into a small holiday on two wheels.

Cycling weekends from our own rides:

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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.

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Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route - Rostock to Stralsund

The section of the Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route between Rostock and Stralsund follows the coastline of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is part of EuroVelo 10. Over two days of cycling, the route leads through seaside resorts, quiet villages and stretches of forest close to the shore. The path is mostly well-surfaced and signposted, with only occasional sandy or gravel parts near the beaches. Distances are moderate, making it suitable for a weekend ride with time for stops along the way. Arriving in Stralsund, cyclists are rewarded with the town's brick Gothic architecture and its location at the gateway to the island of Rügen.

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Berlin Wall Trail - Berlin

The Berlin Wall Trail follows the former border that once divided the city, forming a loop of about 160 km around West Berlin. The path is fully signposted and mostly paved, making it accessible for cyclists of all levels. It is divided into sections, which allows riders to plan shorter stages or combine them into a two-day ride. Along the way, information boards and memorial sites mark the course of the Wall, providing context to the city's history. The route passes through a variety of landscapes, from central districts and riverside paths to quiet parks and suburban areas. It is a practical way to explore Berlin and an insight into its past.

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Drava Cycle Route - Lienz to Villach

The Drava Cycle Route between Lienz and Villach follows the Drava River across the valleys of East Tyrol and Carinthia. Starting in Lienz, the path offers views of the Dolomites before continuing downstream through quiet villages and small market towns. The route is mostly flat and well-surfaced, making it suitable for riders of different levels. Railway stations along the way provide options for shortening the trip or planning flexible stages. The ride ends in Villach, a city well connected by train and close to Carinthia's popular lakes, which makes it a convenient base for further cycling.

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Elbe Cycle Route - Dresden to Torgau

The Elbe Cycle Route section between Dresden and Torgau provides a flat and well-marked ride along the Elbe River, with a distance of around 100 to 110 km. Starting in Dresden, cyclists follow paths that blend tarmac, concrete, gravel and occasional cobblestones - reflecting the route's three-decade history. The ride passes through diverse landscapes, including the Dresden Elbland wine region and small towns with regional character. Torgau, as a destination, offers Renaissance architecture and historic significance. The combination of ease of navigation, gentle gradients and cultural highlights makes this segment a great choice for a two-day cycling weekend.

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Havel Cycle Route - Fürstenberg/Havel to Potsdam

The Havel Cycle Route from Fürstenberg/Havel to Potsdam covers roughly 140 km and follows the river through a mix of forest, lakes and rural landscapes. Starting in Fürstenberg the route traces waterways and glides past clear lakes, wooded stretches and small historic settlements. The surface is predominantly smooth asphalt or compact gravel, with good signage throughout, making navigation straightforward for riders. Along the way, highlights include monastery ruins and calm villages around Zehdenick and the Baroque grandeur of Oranienburg Palace. The final stretch passes through Spandau before culminating in Potsdam with its palace parks and approachable urban finish.

More: Havel Cycle Route - Fürstenberg/Havel to Potsdam (coming soon) 👇

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Hessen Railway Cycle Route - Hanau to Fulda

The Hessen Railway Cycle Route (BahnRadweg Hessen) begins in Hanau and continues through Hesse's landscapes - predominantly following disused railway lines - toward Fulda. This segment climbs gradually through gently rolling terrains of the Vogelsberg and Rhön mountain regions. Surfaces are mostly smooth and suitable for touring bikes, with consistent signage aiding navigation. Along the way, riders pass through half-timbered towns like Lauterbach, Schlitz and the baroque city of Fulda. The route offers a mix of natural scenery, low traffic and cultural highlights, making it a solid option for a weekend ride split over two days.

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Jura Cycle Route - Nyon to La Chaux-de-Fonds

The Jura Cycle Route, between Nyon and La Chaux-de-Fonds, crosses the rolling hills of western Switzerland's Jura Mountains. Beginning at lakeside Nyon on Lake Geneva, the route climbs through sparse pine forests, lonely plateaus and remote pastures, often with much quiet and few settlements. Cyclists may encounter grazing horses and cows and only occasional small villages, so it's practical to carry water and supplies. The descent into La Chaux-de-Fonds delivers a shift in atmosphere: its grid-like layout, watchmaking heritage, Art-Nouveau architecture and UNESCO status offer a lively urban contrast to the solitude of the mountains.

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Loire by Bike - Orléans to Tours

The Loire by Bike section from Orléans to Tours follows the Loire à Vélo route along the Loire River, covering a mostly flat terrain that's ideal for a relaxed two-day ride. Cyclists travel on well-marked cycle paths and minor roads with minimal traffic, enjoying easy navigation throughout. The route links a series of iconic châteaux - including those near Blois, Chambord, Amboise and Chaumont-sur-Loire - as well as charming riverside towns and vineyard landscapes. Along the way, the diversity of scenery ranges from open farmland and forested stretches to world-class architectural heritage. The ride concludes in Tours with a lively urban finish with historic neighborhoods.

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Lower Lusatia Mining Route - Spremberg to Finsterwalde

The Lower Lusatia Mining Route, between Spremberg and Finsterwalde, runs through southern Brandenburg's transformed mining landscape. Once dominated by open-pit lignite mines, the terrain is now punctuated by artificial lakes, new forests and well-maintained cycle paths that trace both the region's industrial past and its emerging natural beauty. The flat route links towns like Spremberg, Senftenberg and Finsterwalde, offering easy navigation over quiet asphalt and gravel paths. Service infrastructure, including cyclist-friendly accommodation and train connections, supports flexible two-day planning and smooth return journeys.

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Main Cycle Route - Bamberg to Würzburg

The Main Cycle Route segment between Bamberg and Würzburg spans approximately 150–160 km and unfolds mostly along a flat, well-surfaced path following the River Main. It is well signposted and largely paved, making it accessible and comfortable for cyclists of varying experience. The route starts in UNESCO-listed Bamberg, known for its medieval old town and brewing tradition, then moves through scenic Franconian countryside dotted with vineyards and half-timbered towns such as Schweinfurt, Volkach and Kitzingen. The ride culminates in Würzburg, where Baroque history and architecture provide a fitting cultural and urban highlight at the end of the weekend journey.

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Oder-Spree-Tour - Frankfurt/Oder to Berlin

The Oder-Spree Tour from Frankfurt/Oder to Berlin covers about 120 km, forming a loop through eastern Brandenburg. The route follows the Oder-Spree Canal and the historic Frederick William Canal, with landscapes shaped by rivers, lakes and gently rolling forests. Surfaces are mostly asphalt cycle paths and quiet rural roads, with occasional compact gravel sections. Along the way, cyclists pass cultural and natural highlights such as the monastery in Neuzelle, the medieval town of Beeskow, the spa resort of Bad Saarow and the protected Schlaube Valley. The two-day tour ends in Berlin, in the green outskirts of the city.

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Velo Baltica - Świnoujście to Kołobrzeg

The Velo Baltica section from Świnoujście to Kołobrzeg runs for about 114 km along Poland's Baltic coast. The route is flat and signposted, combining new asphalt cycle paths, quiet local roads and occasional gravel stretches. Starting in the port town of Świnoujście, the ride continues through Międzyzdroje and Wolin National Park, where forested paths and coastal viewpoints make the landscape varied. Further along, small seaside towns such as Dziwnów, Rewal and Mrzeżyno provide convenient stops for food and accommodation. The final stretch to Kołobrzeg follows the shoreline closely, ending in a historic spa town with good transport links.

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VeloDunajec - Zakopane to Nowy Sącz

The VeloDunajec route from Zakopane to Nowy Sącz is about 130–135 km long and follows the Dunajec River through southern Poland. It begins in Zakopane at the foot of the Tatras and gradually descends through Poronin and Nowy Targ before reaching Lake Czorsztyńskie, with views of Niedzica and Czorsztyn castles. The path then continues through the Pieniny, including the famous Dunajec Gorge and into the valleys of the Poprad and Beskid Sądecki mountains. The surface is mostly asphalt with some compact gravel sections, suitable for trekking or hybrid bikes. Cyclists encounter wooden churches, small towns and varied mountain scenery along the way.

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