The best no-fly cycle routes for a chic cycle holiday
For fans of cycling, there’s no need to board a plane in order to find adventure. With more and more of us swapping out travelling by air in favour of more eco-friendly forms of transport, now is the perfect time to start exploring the gorgeous routes waiting on our doorsteps.
But where to start? How about with Epic Road Rides: an award-winning website for cyclists who love to travel. Their eco-conscious journeys combine beautiful landscapes with sustainable travel, whether that’s exploring remote Scottish islands or cycling along scenic European coastlines.
Founder Clare Dewey and the team have taken on countless adventures by bike and we asked them more about this increasingly popular way to explore the world.
In the UK
Hebridean Way, Scotland
The beauty of the Hebridean Way simply cannot be denied – and the best way to see it is undoubtedly by bike. With 185 miles to eat up across 10 islands, it offers mountains, seas and stunning vistas galore. Catch the train to Oban (now with bike-friendly carriages) and from there, hop on a ferry to the Isle of Barra. From there, wind your way through a series of remote, rugged landscapes, connected by 6 causeways and two ferry rides, until you reach the Butt of Lewis.
Where to stay
Kinloch Lodge
We’d be remiss not to mention the pretty Kinloch Lodge in any guide to the Outer Hebrides. A family-run hotel and restaurant on the Isle of Skye, it’s a 17th century farmhouse (and later hunting lodge) that has been immaculately restored and nestles among some of the prettiest scenery in the UK. The 18 rooms offer loch views for all, but the true selling point here is the excellent food: former proprietor Claire Macdonald is famous for her cookbooks, and the cellar is famously well-stocked. Come prepared to eat and drink like a king before setting off the next day.
Winter rates from £250pp, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, kinloch-lodge.co.uk
Lews Castle
This striking Stornoway landmark overlooks the harbour in Lewis’s capital and combines Victorian grandeur with functionality. There are single rooms and self-catering options, a generous welcome hamper and an elegant, spare design make it the perfect place for a stop-off. That said, be warned: there is no restaurant.
From £240 per night, lews-castle.co.uk
Celtic Trail, Wales
Much of Wales is overlooked gem when it comes to tourism. Rectify that by cycling the Celtic Trail, which offers you a chance to see some of the country’s most epic vistas. Starting in Carmarthen (easily reached by train) or Pembroke, the trail takes you past castles, coastal views and the rolling hills of the Pembrokeshire National Park. It’s mostly quiet lanes – perfect for cycling – and the trail finishes in the gorgeous village of Fishguard.
Where to stay
Grove of Narberth
This whitewashed manor house boasts 26-acre gardens and a swoon-worthy interior full of floral bouquets, local art, antiques for days and four-poster beds draped in soft sheets. Even better, it houses one of Pembrokeshire’s best restaurants, The Fernery, which celebrates all things plants, and has a sustainability ethos that makes it a pleasure to stay at. Worth splashing out for.
Rooms from £213, grovenarberth.co.uk
Manor Town House
Located at the end of the Celtic Trail, this Fishguard BnB is located inside a pale blue townhouse in the centre of the town and offers so much more than the sum of its (impressive) parts. Decorated with Victorian walnut furniture and Welsh fabrics, the colour scheme is mostly white and blue, and the rooms offer glorious views of Cardigan Bay. The hosts, Helen and Chris Sheldon, are also exceptionally obliging, making any stay a real treat.
Rooms from £160, manortownhouse.com
Pilgrim’s Cycle Trail, Kent
Only a few hours’ ride south of London, this picturesque (and flat) path traces the old pilgrim’s route between the cathedral cities of Rochester and Canterbury. 47 miles long, it passes through the North Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty, veers along the Medway and Stour rivers (complete with plenty of gorgeous old pubs that have been providing services to those in need for years) before arriving in Canterbury. Most of the route is along quiet roads and cycle paths: perfect for all the family.
Where to stay
The Pig at Bridge Place
This historic Grade II-listed building on the outside of Canterbury has been lovingly restored by the Pig group, with all the flair that entails. Set in the gorgeous Nailbourne Valley, The Pig pays tribute to the building’s history as both a rock’n’roll venue and 1600s mansion with plush velvet upholstery, romantic tiny wooden boltholes, William Morris wallpaper and heaps of vintage furniture. And of course, the food is sublime: would you expect anything else?
Rooms from £205, thepighotel.com
In Europe
Amsterdam, Netherlands
For the Dutch, cycling is an integral part of life – and nowhere is that more true than in Amsterdam. Hop on a bike and explore the city the local way, using some of the 500-plus bike paths navigating the city. Even better, it’s easy to reach: take the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam, or the train direct from London.
Recommended routes
A nice breezy ride along the Amstel river is a must: clocking in at 27km, it takes two hours along relatively flat ground and passes plenty of cafes along the way to the Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, as well as some gorgeous stately homes.
Or head to the tourist hotspot of Zaanse Schans: though it’s busy, cycling along the area’s well-worn local paths will let you skip most of the crowds and still take in some of the pretty windmills for which it’s famous. Even better, it’s a 2 hour route: the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Where to stay
The Hoxton, Lloyd Amsterdam
This airy Hoxton outpost has just opened (the second in Amsterdam), and offers tourists everything they need to make the most of the city. Located inside a beautiful old building in the Eastern Docklands, the Hoxton is comfy, stylishly decked out and offers a terrace at the Breman Brasserie in which to soak up some sunshine. Also worth visiting: the cosy bar which seems made for autumnal afternoons.
Rooms from £187, thehoxton.com/amsterdam
The Pulitzer Amsterdam
Located in prime position between two canals, the hotel itself dates back to the 1960s, but the decor is refreshingly modern. Full of leafy courtyards, antique touches and modern art, it boasts great food, gorgeously unique and quirky rooms and a local favourite in Pulitzer’s Bar, which attracts a hip crowd for its cocktails and excellent wine selection.
Rooms from £320, pulitzeramsterdam.com
Île de Ré, France
The Ile de Ré, just off La Rochelle, has long been the favourite getaway of Parisians in the know. It’s perfect for a chilled cycling holiday by yourself or with the kids. Flat, largely traffic free routes abound, dotted by picture-postcard villages and gorgeous marinas. Take the ferry to Caen or Eurotunnel or the ferry to Calais to explore postcard-worthy villages, beaches, and marinas.
Recommended routes
Most of the island’s many cycle routes are short and sweet, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth doing. Packed with car-free bike paths (go before 9am and have them to yourself), one of the best areas to explore is west from Saint Martin: the bike paths around Loix, Ars en Ré and Les Portes en Ré weave between watery salt beds and the sea. It’s a striking sight and a joy to ride through.
Where to stay
Hotel de Toiras
A 1`7th century shipbuilders’ residence, this gorgeous hotel looks out onto the Unesco-rated fortifications of Saint-Martin’s harbour, and the interior speaks to the island’s naval heritage too. Alongside the chinoiserie, stripped-back wooden floorboards and the excellent restaurant (La Table d’Olivia, which also features a wine cellar stocked with imports from Bordeaux) it’s right in the heart of the action: the perfect place to jump out and explore the rest of the island.
Rooms from £293, hotel-de-toiras.com
Hotel Le Senechal
Located in possibly the best spot for cycling on the entire island - the sweet village of Ars en Ré, voted one of the prettiest in France - Hotel Le Senechal offers tourists everything they need. Located in the quieter part of Il de Ré, it’s also in prime position to access the island’s best bike paths, which wind through marshland, salt beds and oyster fields. The hotel itself is located in the centre of the village and offers standard, basic rooms as well as a pool.
Rooms from £79, hotel-le-senechal.com
Northern Spain
For cyclists looking for variety, Northern Spain is a treasure trove of experiences. Whether you wish to cycle the famous Camino de Santiago, take on the challenging climbs of the Picos Mountains, or enjoy the culture of San Sebastián, Northern Spain offers something for every type of cyclist: relaxed to hardcore enthusiast. And it’s even surprisingly stress free to get to: catch the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander for a scenic trip south.
Recommended routes
Northern Spain is especially famous for being the home of the Camino de Santiago: a network of ancient pilgrim paths. Going by bike, it’s easier to see more of the landscape, including the ancient village squares and rocky mountain roads.
If you have more time, check out the Camino del Norte and Camino Primitivo, which wind around the top of the country and take 7-10 days to complete in full. The Camino Primitivo in particular is gorgeous, winding through a surprisingly green landscape on the way to the end location in Santiago de Compostela. If you want to get the official pilgrimage certificate known as La Compostela, you’ll need to ride at least 200km by bike: and if you want to find out more about these gorgeous, winding roads, check out Epic Road Rides’ guide here.
Where to stay
Hotel Mas Pelegri
A three star hotel located around 30km from Girona, Hotel Mas Pelegri is set in a gorgeous swathe of the Spanish countryside, with access to some fantastic cycling routes, including winding flat roads and some trickier climbs. There’s a pool and yoga studio, and sports massages can be booked if you’re feeling stiff. Bikes can be rented, or (if bringing your own) there are bike mechanics on hand. The perfect spot to explore this famous cycling region.
Rooms from £94, maspelegri.com
Hotel Zubieta
Close to the quaint town centre of Lekeito, this three star hotel - housed inside an 18th century building - offers cycling enthusiasts everything they need. Wander into town to enjoy some fine dining, or hope on your bike to explore the roads between Bilbao and San Sebastian. Zubeita offers a storage area for bikes, a repair shop and a bike washing service among other amenities, making it a perfect stop-off along the route.
Rooms from £69, hotelzubieta.com
Provence, France
Yes, the train ride down is long: around 6 hours from London, in fact. But stick it out and you’ll be rewarded with some of the prettiest cycling routes in France – as well as the infamous Mont Ventoux, which has achieved near-mythical status among cyclists. Head here for something to suit everyone: relaxed trips through the lavender fields in Luberon, or indeed the rocky Gorges de la Nesque.
Recommended routes
The pretty villages around the base of Mont Ventoux make this a hotspot for many tourists – as well as the mountain itself, which is one of the best biking routes in the world and one every cycling enthusiast should do at least once in their lives. The terrain is harsh and steep – but if you’re committed, then head to Sault, one of the least frequented spots on the ‘easy’ side of the mountain, to begin your odyssey.
If you fancy something a bit more low key, then the rolling lavender fields of the Provencal countryside await. A loop through the Northern Luberon is a highlight; 66km long, it starts and ends in Bonnieux and takes you past places like the Chateau de Lacoste, Abbey de Sénanque, Village des Bories and Le Sentier des Ocres in Roussillon. For more guidance on where to plan your visit, check out Epic Road Rides’ guide on Provence here.
Where to stay
Capelongue
This dreamily chic hotel is located in Bonnieux, a stone’s throw from the regions’ medieval hill villages. Everything about this 57-room property is elegant and simple, but there is a pool, and a Michelin star restaurant in the form of La Bastide that celebrates and uses the freshest local produce. And of course, the view is beautiful. Read our review here.
Rooms from £286, beaumier.com
Château de Mazan
This luxurious four-star villa is situated in Mazan, a small town 10km south of Bédoin, making it the perfect place to tackle Ventoux. Though the bike facilities are a little basic, nothing else is, and there’s a cycling shop a 2-minute walk. In addition to the stylish decor, there’s also an outdoor swimming pool: the perfect place to relax after a mountain climb.
Rooms from £150, chateaudemazan.com
For more information on no-fly cycling holidays or to plan your next eco-friendly adventure, visit epicroadrides.com
