Mountains by bicycle: 12 great alpine routes to ride [2025]
Cycling routes in the mountains mix the excitement of climbing with the peace of nature. They often follow scenic river valleys, surrounded by mountain ridges. When they get more challenging, they reward you with amazing views, fresh air and a great sense of adventure. We’ve ridden many of these routes ourselves - often on quiet cycling paths like old railway tracks, dedicated bike roads or forgotten alpine routes - and loved how they let us avoid traffic and tourist crowds. Instead of car horns, you’ll hear cowbells, wind in the trees or waterfalls in the distance. We’re showing you the very best of them.
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Many of the most iconic mountain cycling routes are found in the Alps, which is why the term alpine has become synonymous with a certain type of high-mountain landscape: dramatic peaks, winding switchbacks, and wide valleys dotted with grazing cattle and mountain chalets. Over time, alpine has come to describe not only the Alps themselves, but also similar scenery and riding experiences found in other mountain ranges - including the Pyrenees, the Carpathians and the Tatra Mountains.
The top mountains cycle routes we have ridden:
- Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route - the Alps, Austria & Italy
- Enns Cycle Route - the Alps, Austria
- Lakes Route - the Alps, Switzerland
- Cycling Trentino - the Dolomites, Italy
- Rhine Cycle Route - the Alps, Switzerland
- Cycling Vorarlberg - the Alps, Austria
- Aare Cycle Route - the Alps, Switzerland
- Cycling Route around the Tatras - the Tatra Mountains, Poland
- North-South Route - the Alps, Switzerland
- Jura Cycle Route - the Jura Mountains, Switzerland
- Velo Dunajec - the Carpathians, Poland
- Ore Mountains Cycle Route - the Ore Mountains, Germany
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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.
Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route - the Alps, Austria & Italy
The Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route offers a stunning journey across the Alps, linking Salzburg with the Adriatic Sea. The route cuts through dramatic alpine landscapes, weaving between towering peaks and deep valleys. A particularly memorable section follows a former railway line, now adapted for cyclists, with a series of tunnels and bridges carved into the mountainsides. This clever use of old infrastructure allows for a relatively gentle passage through otherwise rugged terrain. Along the way, the path runs beside clear mountain rivers and through narrow gorges, gradually descending toward the southern foothills. As the scenery shifts from alpine to Mediterranean, cyclists experience a rare continuity of landscapes - from snow-capped ridges to sunlit plains.
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Enns Cycle Route - the Alps, Austria
The Enns Cycle Route is a classic alpine cycling route that stretches for about 250 kilometers across the heart of Austria. The journey begins high in the Austrian Alps at the source of the Enns River, near the dramatic peaks of the Dachstein and the Radstädter Tauern mountains. From there, the route descends through wild gorges, lush valleys, and charming alpine villages, always following the winding course of the river. Riders experience a mix of steep forested slopes, open meadows, and panoramic mountain views, especially in the early sections. As the path moves east, the landscape gradually softens, with rolling hills replacing the rugged mountains.
More: Enns Cycle Route - the Alps (coming soon) 👇
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Lakes Route - the Alps, Switzerland
The Lakes Route (Seen-Route) in Switzerland offers a picturesque cycling journey through diverse alpine landscapes. Starting from Lake Geneva, the route traverses rolling hills and valleys, passing through regions like Gruyères and Gstaad, where traditional wooden chalets dot the scenery. The path includes challenging ascents, like the climb to the Brünig Pass, offering panoramic views over the alpine terrain. As the route progresses, it meanders through the Simme Valley, known for its lush meadows and traditional Swiss architecture. The journey culminates near Lake Constance, where the landscape transitions to gentler foothills, marking the end of a diverse and scenic alpine cycling experience.
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Cycling Trentino - the Dolomites, Italy
Trentino offers a network of over 400 km of cycling paths that traverse some of Italy’s most stunning alpine landscapes. The Dolomites Cycle Path winds through the Fiemme and Fassa Valleys, following the Avisio River beneath the towering Latemar and Catinaccio peaks. The DoGa route connects Malè to Riva del Garda, crossing four alpine valleys and offering a mix of mountain and lake scenery. For a challenging ride, the Sellaronda loop encompasses four mountain passes - Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, and Gardena - encircling the Sella massif. These routes provide cyclists with a rich tapestry of natural beauty, from rugged peaks to serene valleys.
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Rhine Cycle Route - the Alps, Switzerland
The Swiss section of the Rhine Cycle Route offers a captivating journey through diverse alpine landscapes. Starting in Andermatt, the route ascends to the Oberalp Pass, marking the Rhine's source. Cyclists then descend into the Surselva Valley, navigating through the dramatic Ruinaulta Gorge, often referred to as the "Swiss Grand Canyon". The path continues alongside the Alpine Rhine, passing through the canton of Graubünden and reaching Lake Constance. Along the way, riders encounter a mix of serene lakes, historic towns like Chur and Schaffhausen, and natural wonders such as the Rhine Falls, Europe's largest waterfall. This segment of the EuroVelo 15 route showcases Switzerland's rich topography, blending mountainous terrains with river valleys.
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Cycling Vorarlberg - the Alps, Austria
Cycling in Vorarlberg is a captivating journey through western Austria's diverse alpine landscapes. The route begins at the high-altitude Bielerhöhe Pass in the Silvretta range, near the Piz Buin peak, and descends through the Montafon Valley, characterized by its steep slopes and traditional alpine villages. Riders traverse the Klostertal and reach Lech am Arlberg, a picturesque village nestled among towering peaks. The path continues through the Bregenz Forest, where cyclists encounter rolling hills, dense forests, and the striking Kanisfluh massif. This varied topography provides cyclists with both challenging climbs and rewarding descents, all set against the backdrop of Vorarlberg's stunning natural beauty.
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Aare Cycle Route - the Alps, Switzerland
The Aare Cycle Route offers a remarkable cycling journey through Switzerland's diverse alpine landscapes. Beginning at the Grimsel Pass in the Bernese Alps, the route descends past glacial lakes and through the dramatic Aare Gorge, showcasing the rugged beauty of the alpine terrain. Cyclists traverse alongside the turquoise waters of Lakes Brienz and Thun, with panoramic views of the iconic Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks enhancing the experience. As the path continues, it meanders through the rolling hills of the Bernese Mittelland, passing historic towns like Thun and the UNESCO-listed city of Bern. Further along, the route leads through the Three-Lakes Region and culminates at the confluence of the Aare and Rhine rivers in Koblenz.
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Cycling Route around the Tatras - the Tatra Mountains, Poland
The Cycling Route Around the Tatras is a cross-border loop that spans approximately 250 km through the mountainous regions of southern Poland and northern Slovakia. Starting in Nowy Targ, the trail follows a former railway embankment, offering cyclists panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains while traversing through the Podhale, Orava, Spiš, and Liptov regions. The route features a mix of gentle ascents and descents, making it accessible to a wide range of cyclists, including families and less experienced riders. Along the way, the trail passes through picturesque landscapes, including meadows, forests, and traditional villages, providing a rich cultural and natural experience.
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North-South Route - the Alps, Switzerland
The North–South Route in Switzerland offers a captivating cycling journey through the heart of the Alps, connecting Basel in the north to Chiasso in the south. This 360 km route traverses diverse landscapes, starting with the gentle terrains of the Jura and the Swiss Plateau, before ascending into the alpine regions. A highlight of the journey is the ascent to the Gotthard Pass, where cyclists tackle the historic Tremola road, renowned for its 37 cobblestone switchbacks and panoramic mountain vistas. Descending from the pass, the route follows the Ticino Valley, characterized by its steep slopes and narrow passages, leading to the Italian-speaking region of Ticino.
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Jura Cycle Route - the Jura Mountains, Switzerland
The Jura Route is a 280 km cycling trail that traverses the Jura Mountains in western Switzerland, stretching from Basel to Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva. This route guides cyclists through a series of secluded plateaus, dense coniferous forests and rolling hills, offering an alternative to the more frequented Alpine paths. Highlights along the way include the Franches-Montagnes highlands, the medieval town of St. Ursanne nestled in the Doubs Valley, and the tranquil Val-de-Travers, renowned for its absinthe heritage. The trail also passes through La Chaux-de-Fonds, a city celebrated for its watchmaking history and distinctive grid layout. Concluding in Nyon, the route offers panoramic views over Lake Geneva.
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Velo Dunajec - the Carpathians, Poland
Velo Dunajec is a scenic 237 km cycling route that runs through the mountainous heart of southern Poland. Starting in Zakopane, at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, the route leads through seven different mountain ranges, including the Pieniny, Gorce and Beskid Sądecki. Along the way, cyclists follow the Dunajec River as it carves its way through narrow gorges, wide valleys, and rolling foothills. One of the highlights is the stretch through the Pieniny Gorge, where the river winds between steep limestone cliffs. The changing altitude and diverse terrain offer a true alpine experience, while the well-developed infrastructure ensures the route remains accessible. The journey ends near Wietrzychowice, where the Dunajec flows into the Vistula.
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Ore Mountains Cycle Route - the Ore Mountains, Germany
The Sächsische Mittelgebirge (Saxon Uplands), marked as I-6 in Germany’s cycling route network, offers a varied landscape of gentle ridges, wide valleys and forested plateaus. Unlike the dramatic Alpine peaks, this region features soft elevations that rarely exceed 1,000 meters, making it ideal for cyclists who enjoy mountain scenery without extreme climbs. The route winds through traditional towns like Olbernhau and Seiffen, passing by meadows, spruce forests and quiet streams. Many sections follow old railway lines or forest roads, providing a peaceful ride through the heart of Saxony's upland countryside. The landscape is rich in cultural heritage, with views of wooden houses, hilltop churches and local craft workshops.
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