Long-distance cycle routes in Europe: rivers, Alps & coasts
Long-distance cycle routes in Europe follow major rivers, cross Alpine landscapes, pass through wine regions and historic towns, and continue all the way to the coast. On Velontour, you can discover selected routes such as the Danube Cycle Path, Inn Cycle Path, Drau Cycle Path, Alpe-Adria Cycle Path, RheinWelten and Via Claudia Augusta. Compare distance, elevation gain, difficulty and region to find a route that suits your pace and available time. Ride the full route or choose individual stages: you decide how far your journey takes you.
On the Alpe-Adria cycle path from Salzburg to Grado
In the footsteps of the Romans: Via Claudia Augusta cycle route
Experience the Rhine in comfort, vitality, close to nature, enjoyable and…
Multifaceted landscape on the Danube cycle path through Vienna
On the Inn Cycle Path from Switzerland via Austria to Germany
On the Mura Cycle Path from Austria via Slovenia to Croatia
Experience waterfalls, ice giants and Mozart legends on the Tauern cycle…
A cycle tour through the South Styrian wine country
Comparing long-distance cycle routes: from river valleys to across the Alps
Long-distance cycle routes differ not only in their length, but above all in the character of the route. The Danube Cycle Route follows the river valley for 393.6 km between Passau and Vienna, whilst RheinWelten runs for 435 km from Andermatt to Basel. The Inn Cycle Route connects Switzerland, Austria and Germany over a distance of 535 km. For those wishing to combine the Alps with the south, the 410-km-long Alpe-Adria Cycle Route offers a route from Salzburg to Grado.
Even longer is the Via Claudia Augusta, stretching 753.4 km from Donauwörth across the Alps to northern Italy. The Drau Cycle Route spans 510 km, linking four countries from Dobbiaco to Legrad. The choice therefore ranges from river routes with a more moderate elevation profile to routes crossing the Alps with significantly more climbs. Length, landscape and elevation gain should therefore always be considered together.
How to find the long-distance cycle route that’s right for you
Choosing the right long-distance cycle route starts with deciding how many days and kilometres you want to cover. Compare the total length, elevation gain and difficulty, and then break longer routes down into stages that suit your pace. You don’t have to cycle the whole route: even selected sections can effectively link river landscapes, towns, wine regions or Alpine passes.
Velontour helps you to first understand and compare the route yourself. The detailed pages show the route, start and finish points, as well as key locations and landscapes. Destinations and accommodation options then complement your stage planning. Bookable offers are listed in the ‘Cycling Holidays’ section. This ensures that the route, holiday destination, accommodation and travel package are clearly separated from one another.
