Les plus grandes pistes cyclables d'Europe pour découvrir le continent à vélo
In our fast-paced world, where everyone travels by air and train, you can choose a slower and more deeply rewarding mode of transportation: cycling. More than just a way to get around, a bike is a modern explorer’s faithful companion. A cycling holiday in Europe offers a unique perspective on the varied landscapes, rich cultures and centuries-old history of the Old Continent.
With EuroVelo, a network of 17 long-distance cycle routes approved by the European Cyclists' Federation, here we reveal the best European cycle routes, and give you some tips for getting a Schengen visa.
European Cycle Routes
Each EuroVelo cycle route passes through several European countries and covers a distance of more than 1,000 km. All you have to do to navigate as you ride is find the EuroVelo logo, which includes the route number surrounded by the stars of the European flag.
See our selection of 10 of the longest EuroVelo routes for your next cycling holiday in Europe! (To help you make your choice and organize your trip, we've included a list of the countries you'll be visiting on each EuroVelo route. Members of the Schengen Area are shown in black (no border controls between two Schengen countries, single visa required for citizens of certain countries), non-Schengen countries that are members of the European Union are shown in orange, and non-Schengen countries that are not members of the European Union are shown in red.
EuroVelo 1: Atlantic Coast Route (11,150 km)
This route follows the western border of Europe from Scandinavia to Portugal, passing by 14 UNESCO Heritage Sites. A chance to see the sights and explore port towns and fishing villages while sampling the best of local seafood.
Countries (6): Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal.
EuroVelo 2: Capital Cities Route (5,050 km)
Dublin (Ireland), London (UK), Berlin (Germany), Warsaw (Poland), Minsk (Belarus), Moscow (Russia), and more. EuroVelo 2 owes its name to the 6 capital cities it passes through, giving you access to festivals, cultural discoveries and natural landscapes.
Countries (7): Ireland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus and Russia.
EuroVelo 3: Pilgrims Route (5,600 km)
EuroVelo 3 brings together Europe's most famous pilgrimage routes and some of the continent's most impressive religious structures (such as the cathedrals of Cologne, Aachen and Santiago de Compostela). And don't forget Paris and Liège, where you can enjoy the lively nightlife.
Countries (7): Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain.
EuroVelo 4: Central European Route (5,050 km)
Spanning from France to Ukraine, EuroVelo 4 is the ideal cycling route for exploring the diverse architecture, exciting cities and rich history of Central Europe.
Countries (7): France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine.
EuroVelo 5: Via Romea (3,200 km)
Following in the footsteps of the pilgrims who walked from England to Rome over 1,000 years ago, EuroVelo 5 offers a contrast between ancient edifices (cathedrals, churches, monuments, etc.) and modern ones.
Countries (7): United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
EuroVelo 6: Atlantic - Black Sea (4,700 km)
The Atlantic-Black Sea route is one of the most popular. It treats cyclists to a variety of landscapes (coastlines, rivers, castles, and more), and the whole route is relatively flat!
Countries (10): France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria.
EuroVelo 7: The Sun Route (7,600 km)
From the land of the midnight sun to the islands of the Mediterranean, EuroVelo 7 takes you through 9 countries from the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic Ocean, including a few cycling paradises: Malmö, Copenhagen, Berlin and Bolzano.
Countries (9): Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, France and Spain.
EuroVelo 8: Mediterranean Route (7,600 km)
The Mediterranean Route runs uninterrupted from Spain to Greece, connecting many heavenly destinations with diverse cultures. It's an opportunity to take in the sights while experiencing the Mediterranean in 11 different countries!
Countries (11): Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.
EuroVelo 9: Baltic - Adriatic (2,000 km)
Rivers, mountains, villages, seas... This route is a real adventure from one landscape to the next! From the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic, this Central European cycle route takes you from one culinary paradise to another.
Countries (6): Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia.
EuroVelo 10: Baltic Route (9,100 km)
Cultures and landscapes along the Baltic Sea make this route rich and exciting. Between capital cities and small Eastern European villages, cyclists can also enjoy nature as they ride through forests and beaches and along cliffs.
Countries (9): Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Denmark.
European Cycle Routes
Which country has the most bike paths? According to the EuroVelo Route Development Report published in April 2021, Germany is the country with the largest share of the network (10 routes - 9,806 km), followed by France (10 routes - 8,806 km) and the UK (4 routes - 6,232 km). For more statistics click here.
What are the Requirements for Traveling in Europe?
As a reminder, there are 26 member countries in the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Are you a citizen of the European Union or Schengen Area (or Associated States)? You can travel in the Schengen Area countries and the European Union with a national identity card or passport valid for the duration of your stay.
Are you a citizen of a country outside the EU and Schengen Area? To enter the Schengen Area, you must have a valid passport and, depending on your country of origin, a Schengen visa. See which countries need a Schengen visa here.
Do you need a Schengen visa? Go to the Spanish embassy's website for your country to find the information you will need and start your Schengen visa application. Once you have obtained your visa, be sure to keep your supporting documents with you, including your proof of insurance that covers medical and hospital expenses for a minimum of €30,000 because Spanish border control may ask for them.
You don't need a Schengen visa? You can travel within the Schengen Area and Spain with a passport issued less than 10 years ago and valid for at least 90 days from your expected return date. When you pass through border control to enter the Schengen Area, you may also be asked for a supporting documents and your proof of insurance, even if you don't need a Schengen visa to travel. Please note: as of 2024, citizens of visa-exempt countries will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization to enter Schengen countries.
To travel to non-Schengen countries (whether or not they are members of the European Union), you need to check with the authorities of the country you are visiting to find out whether you need a visa and/or specific documents to enter the country.
Which Travel Insurance Do I Need to Travel in Europe?
Choose peace of mind for your Schengen visa application or when crossing the border with Schengen travel insurance policies from Europ Assistance. Apply online and get your proof of insurance immediately, recognized and accepted by Schengen embassies and consulates worldwide.
Starting at 3 euros, Europ Assistance's Schengen visa travel insurance covers you for medical expenses of up to €60,000 in the event of illness or accident, as well as additional coverage in all Member States of the Schengen Area and European Union (as well as the United Kingdom).