Best Cycling Destinations for Beginners
Welcoming destinations for beginner cyclists, with gentle terrain and great cycling infrastructure.
Algarve
Portugal
Portugal's sun-drenched playground for cyclists. World-class winter riding, the Serra de Monchique, and the Volta ao Algarve's iconic roads.
Ardennes
Belgium
Cycling in the Ardennes: Liège-Bastogne-Liège terrain, forested climbs, and the oldest monument in professional cycling on roads you can ride the next morning.
Boulder & Front Range
United States
Cycling in Boulder & the Front Range: altitude training at 5,300ft, pro team roads, and Rockies climbing that reshapes what hard means.
Costa Almeria
Spain
Europe's driest cycling paradise. Desert landscapes, winter sun, and the mighty Alto de Velefique — Almeria's answer to the cols of Mallorca.
Costa Blanca
Spain
Cycling the Costa Blanca: Europe's premier winter training base. Quiet inland roads, punchy climbs, and 16°C January sunshine.
Crete
Greece
Cycling in Crete: Mediterranean island cycling at its most dramatic — White Mountain passes, Minoan plateau roads, and warm winters on Europe's southernmost major island.
Cyprus
Cyprus
Year-round cycling in the sun. Troodos mountain climbs, quiet coastal roads, and warm winters that draw European cyclists to Cyprus.
Dalmatian Coast
Croatia
Cycling in Dalmatia: Adriatic coastline, island climbs, and the raw mountains of Biokovo rising 1,762m from the sea — Croatia's most dramatic cycling terrain.
Devon & Dartmoor
United Kingdom
England's cycling heartland. Dartmoor's savage moorland climbs, empty lanes, and a coastline that rivals anything in Europe.
Flanders
Belgium
Cycling in Flanders: the cobbled bergs of the Spring Classics, cycling as a national religion, and roads where Merckx, De Vlaeminck, and Van Aert became legends.
French Pyrenees
France
Cycling the Pyrenees on roads Tour de France legends were made. Col du Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam — this is where champions are forged.
Girona
Spain
Cycling in Girona: Europe's pro cycling capital. Medieval charm, world-class climbs, and the cafe culture that draws the WorldTour.
Gran Canaria
Spain
Cycling in Gran Canaria: the miniature continent. Five climate zones, volcanic peaks to 1,949m, and world-class climbing without the crowds.
Grossglockner & Carinthia
Austria
Cycling in Grossglockner & Carinthia: Austria's highest mountain, Europe's most spectacular toll road, and Giro d'Italia passes through a landscape of glaciers and alpine lakes.
Innsbruck & Tyrol
Austria
Cycling in Innsbruck & Tyrol: the 2018 World Championships host city, Alpine passes rising above 2,500m, and Austria's most developed cycling infrastructure.
Isle of Wight
United Kingdom
Cycling Isle of Wight: a compact island of surprising climbs, military road coast, and the UK's most celebrated cycling festival.
Istria
Croatia
Cycling in Istria: Europe's fastest-growing cycling destination, hilltop medieval villages, truffle forests, and Adriatic coastline on roads that barely know rush hour.
Lake District
United Kingdom
Cycling the Lake District: England's steepest passes, 30% gradients on Hardknott, and mountain scenery to rival the Alps in drama.
Mallorca
Spain
Cycling in Mallorca: the world's premier riding island. Legendary Tramuntana climbs, 300 days of sun, and routes for every level.
Moab & Southern Utah
United States
Cycling in Moab & Southern Utah: red rock gravel, national park roads, and desert canyon climbing in the most photogenic landscape in North America.
Nice & Cote d'Azur
France
Cycling the Cote d'Azur: sea level to 1,500m in under an hour. Pro training climbs, three corniche roads, and year-round Mediterranean sun.
Peak District
United Kingdom
Cycling the Peak District: Britain's most accessible riding. Dark Peak moorland epics and White Peak limestone dales, an hour from Manchester.
Peloponnese
Greece
Cycling in Peloponnese: ancient ruins on empty roads, the savage Mani Peninsula, and Arcadian mountain passes where the only audience is olive groves and Byzantine towers.
Portland & Hood River
United States
Cycling in Portland & Hood River: year-round riding culture, Columbia Gorge roads, and Mount Hood climbs within an hour of a great cycling city.
Ring of Kerry
Ireland
Cycling in Ring of Kerry: Ireland's iconic 180km circuit through mountain passes, Atlantic coastline, and the wild beauty of Killarney National Park.
Sardinia
Italy
Cycling Sardinia: Giro d'Italia roads, Gennargentu mountain climbs, and 1,800km of sun-drenched coastline with almost no traffic.
Scotland
United Kingdom
Cycling in Scotland: wild Highland passes, the North Coast 500, and Bealach na Ba. Britain's most raw and remote riding.
Surrey Hills
United Kingdom
Cycling the Surrey Hills: London's riding heartland. Olympic-grade climbs, legendary cafe culture, and world-class routes from the capital.
Tenerife
Spain
Cycling in Tenerife: ride from sea level to above the clouds. Volcanic roads, year-round sun, and altitude training that rivals the Alps.
Tucson & Sedona
United States
Cycling in Tucson & Sedona: desert climbing on Mount Lemmon, red rock gravel, and the most reliable winter training base in North America.
Tuscany
Italy
Cycling in Tuscany: strade bianche gravel, Chianti wine loops, and medieval hilltop towns. Where riding meets la dolce vita.
Vermont
United States
Cycling in Vermont: covered bridge lanes, Green Mountain gap climbs, and the finest autumn foliage roads in North America.
Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland
Cycling in Wild Atlantic Way: Ireland's most dramatic coastal roads, Atlantic-edge passes, and the raw beauty of Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula.
Yorkshire Dales
United Kingdom
Cycling the Yorkshire Dales: Tour de France-tested climbs, quiet moorland roads, and stone villages. Britain's most dramatic riding.