In the age of Strava and Trailforks, I used to wonder why anyone would pay to join a bike tour. Why not just download the route and ride on your own? But after I took a guided bike tour around southern Arizona with Backroads in 2019, I was hooked. I loved the camaraderie of the group and the luxury of having a support van behind me in case I got a flat or needed to refill my water. Most of all, I appreciated not having to make every single decision. The team of Backroads handled everything, from the hotel and restaurant reservations to the routes, which came in many options to appease those who wanted to go hard (me!) or take it easy.
Since then, I’ve taken dozens of bike trips with various companies. I’ve learned that each cycling tour outfitter offers something unique, like super high-end service and Michelin-star meals or truly rugged, off-the-beaten path itineraries. The following list of the world’s best bike tours showcases both famous and lesser known cycling destinations. Sure, you could tackle their gravel, single-track, and pavement on your own. But these outfitters add a little something special to each experience. Some have developed exclusive, first-of-their-kind routes and have relationships with family-run hotels you’d never find online. Others include over-the-top racing bikes and opportunities to climb like a pro on fabled routes. All take care of the details—so you simply get to enjoy the riding.
1. The Blue Ridge Mountains, the Carolinas
Why: Long stretches of protected land, including Pisgah National Forest, the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, and the famed Blue Ridge Parkway make this a cycling paradise. If you want test-your-mettle climbs with unbeatable vistas, you’ll find plenty, like the 6.5-mile ascent to Caesar’s Head summit. This region was hit hard by Hurricane Helene last fall and needs tourists to return to help support local businesses and communities affected by the storm.
Book with: Backroads has been operating cycling trips in the Carolinas since 2014. Its five-day itinerary in the region offers up to four routes each day, so cyclists can take it easy riding nine relatively flat miles or push themselves, tackling as much as 63 miles or up to 5,100 feet of elevation gain. This trip kicks off with two nights at George Hincapie’s fancy cycling base camp, Hotel Domestique, and guests have the chance to ride the former Tour de France competitor’s Gran Fondo route.
Effort: Moderate to challenging
When: May, June, September, October
How much: $3,999 per person based on double occupancy
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2. Greece’s Balkan North
Why: Northern Greece is still mostly untouched by mass tourism. Around a decade ago, the country built a network of modern tunnels and highways to divert traffic from its old mountain roads. With the exception of the occasional shepherd, those winding roads are now empty for cyclists.
Book with: OG bike adventure company Butterfield & Robinson is the only operator to run trips in this region. Its upscale itineraries cater to cyclists looking for luxe stays and indulgent meals. This seven-day trip averages 10.5 to 26 miles of cycling per day and is layered with cultural activities, like cooking demonstrations, truffle hunts, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Royal Tombs of Aigai.
Effort: Recreational
When: May, June, September
How much: $7,995 per person double occupancy
3. The French Alps
Why: Conquering the storied HC (hors catégorie) climbs and cols of the French Alps provides the ultimate cycling bragging rights. Retrace mythical Tour de France ascents like Col the Alpe d’Huez, with its 21 hairpin turns, and discover lesser known, yet equally demanding ascents like the Col d’Allos, a road where the average grade can reach 7.8 percent. Riding here is the epitome of type two fun.
Book with: Duvine’s week-long Alps Challenge Bike Tour averages 55 miles and 8,734 feet of elevation gain per day, covering some of France’s gnarliest terrain. Riders’ efforts are rewarded with gourmet alpine fare, like tartiflette and raclette, fine wines, and overnights in cushy villas and chalets.
Effort: Pro-level
When: July and August
How much: Six-day trip from $5,295 per person double occupancy
4. The Chianti Region of Tuscany, Italy
Why: People were riding gravel in Tuscany long before it blew up Stateside. Home to the legendary Strade Bianchi race (named for the white gravel roads of the Crete Senesi area) and L’Eroica, an amateur event where participants ride vintage bikes and wear retro clothes, the Chianti region is steeped in cycling culture. World-class quiet roads twist past unfathomably picturesque countryside blanketed in rolling vineyards and olive groves. The mid-ride coffee stops are worth lingering over and cyclists can carbo load on meals of hand-made pici and pappardelle.
Book with: João Correia, founder of inGamba Tours, lived and trained in Tuscany when he was a pro racer. He’s poured his knowledge into insidery itineraries, like a six-day Chianti Classico trip that covers more than 220 miles of epic climbs, technical descents, and chalky gravel roads. Another itinerary allows cyclists to watch the pros race the Strade Bianchi, then ride the course the following day. And inGamba’s services—mechnicas, soigneurs, $15,000 Pinarello racing bikes—will make you feel like a pro.
Effort: Pro-level
When: June; Strade Bianchi: March 3-9, 2026
How much: Chianti Classico trip from $6,895; Six-day Strade Bianchi Experience from $7,450
5. South Island, New Zealand
Why: South Island’s old gold mining trails, stock routes, and railways now form quiet backcountry roads that make it possible to cycle from Christchurch to Queenstown. And you’ll be hard pressed to find a more dramatic backdrop for gravel riding than the Southern Alps, with its vivid blue lakes, sparkling rivers, and snow-capped peaks.
Book with: Since its inception in 1992, Adventure South NZ has rooted its business in environmental, community, and cultural stewardship. The company’s seven-day South Island Gravel Explorer itinerary is one-of-a-kind, featuring three iconic backcountry passes, the best section of the Otago Central Rail Trail, plus the Clutha Gold and Roxburgh Gorge Trails. Out-of-the-saddle highlights include visits to the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve and the Waitaki Whitestone UN Geopark, plus pit-stops at historic pubs.
Effort: Challenging
When: November, December
How much: From $2,775 per person double occupancy
6. Mallorca, Spain
Why: This Balearic Island is blessed with over 300 days of anual sunshine and some of the planet’s most jaw-droppingly gorgeous coastal roads. The idyllic weather and variety of terrain, including grueling routes, like Sa Calobra and Puig Major (the island’s highest peak), make it the training base of choice for teams like Lidl-Trek and Team Ineos. And you’ll likely find yourself getting smoked by local stars like Tom Pidcock, aka the King of Sa Calobra.
Book with: Trek Travel’s Mallorca Ride Camp itineraries let you train like a pro. The week includes a mix of guided and self-guided rides featuring punchy climbs, thrilling descents, and coffee breaks at cult favorite cycling cafes like Cycling Planet. You’ll test your muscles and mindset on some of the island’s most daunting ascents, including Sa Calobra, a 12-mile ribbon of road with an average 7 percent gradient. Guided days are fully supported, so you’ll have sunscreen, water, electrolytes, and bocadillos (sandwiches) at your beck and call, and you can always ride back to the eco-hotel basecamp if you bonk.
Effort: Challenging
When: March-May, October, November
How much: Six-day trip from $1,999 per person double occupancy
7. The Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India
Why: Most people travel through the Himalayas on foot, but the region is even more awe-inspiring to experience on two wheels. Cycle through Tibetan villages, remote valleys, and camel-dotted deserts, along vestiges of the ancient Silk Road trading route, and over soaring mountain passes. Nicknamed the roof of the world, Ladakh’s high-altitude mountains will have your lungs burning just as much as your quads.
Book with: SpiceRoads’ Nubra Valley itinerary doesn’t include any technical riding. The challenge comes from the high-altitude effort. After arriving in Leh, cyclists warm up with a three-day acclimatization loop that hugs the banks of the Indus River and takes in ancient monasteries. The payoff for strenuous climbs, like Wari La Pass, which tops out at 16,972 feet, and Khardungla Pass, hitting 17,582 feet, is cinematic views of snow-capped peaks and exhilarating descents. A true cultural immersion, SpiceRoads arranges overnights in homestays and campsites along the journey.
Effort: Active
When: July, August
How much: 14-day trip from $3,100 per person based on double occupancy
8. East to West Traverse of the Alps
Why: Cycling across the Alps puts an athletic twist on the Grand Tour, a coming-of-age adventure across western Europe that was undertaken by young aristocrats in the 18th century. Experience the different cuisines, dialects, architecture, and customs of France, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia as you pedal across borders. The variety of terrain is truly extraordinary, from famous alpine passes, like Italy’s Aprica Pass, theatre of the Giro d’Italia multiple times, to mellow routes that hug the shores of some of Europe’s most popular lakes, including Lake Annecy in France and Lake Como in Italy.
Book with: ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours has been running trips in Europe since 1972. The company’s exclusive Alpine Arc: Lyon to Ljubljana itinerary is a 23-day, 915-mile epic. Cyclists average 47 miles in the saddle each day, with plenty of down time to explore local gems like Yvoire, a medieval settlement on the shores of Lake Geneva and the Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum in the tiny Italian town of Magreglio.
Effort: Active
When: July
How much: From $11,595 per person double occupancy
9. Costa Rica Coast to Coast
Why: Riding 300 miles across Costa Rica from the Caribbean to Pacific provides a highlight reel of the country’s diverse natural wonders. Ogle the Arenal Volcano. Spot sloth and howler monkeys in the rainforest canopy. Cross the mighty Pacuare River by raft. Splash in the surf of Playa Hermosa. And after a steep climb over the Great Divide, soak sore muscles in natural hot springs.
Book with: BikeHike Adventures ran its first official trip in 1994 to Costa Rica. To celebrate the company’s 20-year anniversary, founder Trish Share developed a cross-country mountain biking trip called the Costa Rica Cycle Challenge. One of BikeHike’s most popular offerings, it complements adventurous riding with white-water rafting, surfing, paddleboarding, zip-lining, beaches, and more. Most nights are spent in small, independent hotels that support local communities.
Effort: Challenging
When: November-February
How much: Ten-day trip from $3,499 per person
10. Vermont
Why: From the flat, paved roads of the Champlain Islands to the rugged gravel routes in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont has a mix of terrain suited to riders of all abilities. There’s no prettier backdrop come fall, when the leaves transform into a patchwork of gold and orange, and there’s always a cold craft beer waiting at the end of a long ride.
Book with: Family-run outfitter Great Bike Tours is headquartered in Vermont—they know the state intimately. Its five-day, Vermont Fall Foliage Bike Vacation itinerary is based out of charming Amee Farm Lodge in the tiny (and hilly) village of Pittsfield. Designed for recreational cyclists who care more about leaf peeping and apple cider stops than Strava status, it covers 20 to 40 mellow miles a day on the islands of Lake Champlain and in the countryside around the towns of Woodstock and Middlebury. Overachievers can tack on hills and e-bikes are also welcome.
Effort: Recreational
When: October and November
How much: From $3,395 per person double occupancy
11. The Scottish Highlands
Why: Gilded glens. Mirror-like lochs. Wild beaches. Slate blue mountains. The Scottish Highlands are an enchanting tapestry of landscapes rich in history and culture. Routes once walked by highland drovers and their cattle are now perfect for off-road cycling. You can’t find a more hospitable culture or better place for a customary post-ride dram of whisky.
Book with: When it comes to biking and hiking in Scotland, no one aces itineraries like local outfitter Wilderness Scotland. They recently debuted a new week-long Highland Gravel Trail trip that starts near Glasgow in the south, crisscrosses the heart of the Highlands, and finishes at the coastline of a wee village called Findhorn. You’ll need stamina for the week. Days average between 30 to 50 miles with a total ascent between 1,640 to 4,920 feet. But you won’t need to worry about fuel. Wilderness Scotland keeps its cyclists well fed with locally-sourced meals at the team’s favorite restaurants and hotels.
Effort: Challenging
When: August
How much: Seven-day trip from $3,968 per person double occupancy
12. Belgium
Why: Even the most hard-core cyclists agree that Belgium’s rich cycling culture and diverse terrain make up for its lack of punishing climbs. Miles of scenic bike paths line the country’s pretty canals and wind their way to cobbled roads in postcard-worthy towns. Cycling geeks come to watch the famous Tour de Flanders and visit the cycling museum in Oudenaarde, and beer lovers can create their dream cycling and beer tasting tour.
Book with: Ciclismo Classico is known for its innovative itineraries and exceptional local guides. The company’s Bike Across Belgium trip averages 40 miles and 1,600 feet of elevation gain per day. A dream trip for beer and bike aficionados, routes pass through renowned brewing sites like Leffe and Achouffe, but also overlap sections of the Tour of Flanders, including its signature muren.
Effort: Moderate
When: June-August
How much: From $6,795 per person double occupancy
Jen Murphy is a regular Outside contributor. A runner-turned cyclist, she has joined group cycling tours in Arizona, Mallorca, the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Carolinas, Colorado, Tuscany, and Romania. The French Alps and New Zealand are on her wish lists.
The post The 12 Best Bike Tours in the World appeared first on Outside Online.
