Whether you’re looking for a one-day introductory ride, a family excursion, or a bike-packing journey with several overnight stays, there are six stellar options ranging from 13km to 255km including campsites, guesthouses, cabins, hostels and 4-star hotels.

La Grande Boréale is a fabulous but challenging 255 km loop that begins in Morin-Heights and invites you to tour the region in 4-5 days. With 2,777m of elevation the journey features an abundance of amazing gravel roads (63%) along with inviting asphalt roads (37%). Visit authentic villages like Sainte-Adele, Val-David and Mont-Tremblant, and this route overlaps with sections of La Route Verte, the Aerobic Corridor and the renowned Le P’tit Train du Nord linear park. Most riders bring their own food and choose their evening accommodation at campsites, inns, or chalets, according to their travel style.

La Retraite de l’Ouest or Western Retreat is a two-day 154km adventure with camping/hotels on 80% of gravel roads with 1,494 m of elevation. Beginning in Morin-Heights head west to Montford before joining the Aerobic Corridor and the quaint villages of Lac Des-Seize-Illes and Weir. Continue past Arundel along the Riviere Rouge to Saint-Remi-d’Amherst by beautiful Lac Remi. As your journey begins to loop back make a pit stop at the Tam Bao Son Buddhist Monastery for a slice of Asia in the Laurentians before continuing on back to Morin-Heights where you can refuel as you plan your next adventure.

La P’tite Boréaleis is a 106km gravel adventure for intermediate riders that’s also an excellent weekend option for those who live closer to the Laurentians. With 1,168m of elevation this journey can be tackled in a day of action or more fully experienced through camping or glamping at the Eco Park. With 60% gravel and 40% asphalt roads get ready to push your limits as you revel in the wonder of the Laurentians.

Get ready to be charmed as you discover the best gravel routes in the Laurentians where can experience an authentic cycling adventure in the heart of unspoiled landscapes.

Read more about Gravelle Laurentides here.
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Bike Tennessee (Bike TN), a statewide cycling initiative from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, features 89 curated road and gravel routes across more than 1,800 miles and 50 counties.

Developed with professional cycling expertise, including Shannon Burke of Velo View Bike Tours and Tennessee Gravel, all routes are mapped on Ride with GPS, with navigation, elevation profiles, route insights and key waypoints. Here’s a look at some of the awesome routes that await you.

Reelfoot Lake Loop is a fast and fun 40-mile/65 km scenic cycling route around Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee’s only natural lake. The route features flat, rural roads and the area serves as a bird sanctuary with the largest wintering bald eagle population in the eastern U.S.

The Mississippi River Ramble is a 13-mile/20 km scenic urban road cycling route that offers the exhilarating experience of cycling across the mighty Mississippi River from Memphis, Tenn., to West Memphis, Ark., along Big River Crossing a cycling/pedestrian walkway attached to the historic Harahan Bridge. Don’t miss a perfect photo op at the giant 50-foot “MEMPHIS” sign.

A short but dynamic 17-mile/27 km gravel route, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness Gravel Escape delivers big scenery and a legitimate challenge in a compact package. Enjoy breathtaking vistas and one of the most spectacular cliff-edge views of the Cumberland Plateau at Welch’s Point, one of the most stunning overlooks in the region.

Discover the allure of Fall Creek Falls State Park on this scenic 32-mile/51 km cycling adventure, home to Tennessee’s tallest waterfall and the state’s most-visited park. The route takes riders along rolling roadways within the park, as well as picturesque country roads beyond its borders. Take the opportunity to enjoy a 29-mile/47 km gravel adventure that combines two scenic gravel out-and-back sections – Meadow Creek/Old CC Road and Fire Tower Road.

The Sequatchie Valley offers some of the best riding in East Tennessee, which is why you’ll find not just one but three routes. The 35-mile/56 km Upper Sequatchie Valley Loop takes you from Pikeville across the Sequatchie River where you can enjoy gorgeous views of Walden’s Ridge and the South Cumberland Plateau. For a multi-day riding expedition, pair this route with the Middle and/or Lower Sequatchie Loops.

Duck River Gravel Ramble is a 22-mile/35 km gravel route in New Johnsonville that winds through the Duck River Wildlife Refuge and along the Duck River, North America’s most biologically rich freshwater ecosystem that’s perfect for both cycling and bird-watching.

Enjoy the scenic 26-mile/42 km Laurel Hill Gravel Loop centered around the Natchez Trace Parkway that roughly follows the historic “Old Natchez Trace.” The route blends rugged terrain with gorgeous scenery and packs a surprising amount of adventure into a relatively short distance with creek crossings, punchy climbs and a perfect photo stop at Laurel Hill Lake.

The 36-mile/57 km Land Between the Lakes Loop gets its name from Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, which form the west and east boundaries of the park. The route features a planetarium, the Great Western Iron Furnace, and the main north-south roadway through the park (TN-49) is designated as the Woodlands Trace National Scenic Byway and a joy to experience by bike.

Following a day in the saddle there are plenty of ways to refuel from award-winning, Michelin-recognized restaurants to cocktail bars, breweries, distilleries, cafés and bakeries that’ll have you begging for seconds.

Tennessee also offers a wide array of accommodation options from cozy cabins and chalets to boutique hotels, B&Bs, campsites and RV parks, inns and relaxing resorts, all available to explore on the Bike TN website.

There are plenty of cycling events to experience as well making every Bike TN route an invitation to explore more of the state on two wheels, and come back with a story to tell.

Read more about Bike Tennessee here.
Order a copy of Best Cycling Great Escapes with a feature on Fernie, B.C. and many other great spots here.

There are literally hundreds of trails to choose from across eight areas, including mountain biking, gravel cycling, downhill via lift access, bikepacking from April through October, and fat biking in winter.

Fernie Alpine Resort’s lift-access bike park features over 30 trails in summer from late June to early September, with everything from family-friendly routes to double black diamond trails.

There are countless gravel routes highlighted by the Fernie Gravel Grind race in July, and if bikepacking is your game, Fernie is located at one of the stops on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Local bikepacking routes include Hartley Lake for a 30km return day trip or the mammoth Summer Lake 130km return multi-day adventure.

Fernie also hosts many events and races such as the Fernie Singletrack 3 (part of the TransRockies Race Series), the already mentioned Fernie Gravel Grind, the Canada Cup Dunbar Summer Series and more.

Class 1 e-bikes are welcome on the trails in Fernie, making it an accessible cycling destination for riders of all stripes.

Fernie also offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit different budgets, from hotels and luxurious condos to chalets, tiny homes, PODs, and more.

The food scene in Fernie ranges from eclectic dining to suite all tastes, along with craft brews at Fernie Brewing Company, award-winning spirits at Fernie Distillers.

Fernie also offers a variety of shopping options at independent boutique shops, spas, and wellness and sauna establishments.

Other popular outdoor activities include valley and alpine hiking, dry fly-fishing on the freestone Elk River, whitewater rafting, SUP, kayaking, and golfing.

A mere three-hour drive southwest of Calgary or a two-hour drive from Glacier Park International Airport (Kalispell, MT), Fernie beckons to be explored in a welcoming mountain atmosphere.

Read more about cycling in Fernie, B.C. here.
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In 1974, the first-ever edition of the UCI Road World Cycling Championships was presented outside of Europe on the now legendary Mount Royal circuit. This top cycling event returns to Montréal fifty-two years later from September 20-27, just one week after the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal (GPCQM), the first and still the only events on the UCI WorldTour presented in the Americas.

On September 19, the opening ceremony day of Montréal 2026, fans can take part in Rando Vélo Beneva, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride on the official world championship courses. Choose from four distances: 10, 20, 40 or 70 km, and become part of this historic moment in the heart of Montréal.

The next day the Elite women’s and men’s Time Trial kick off the UCI Road World Championships kick off as the first rainbow jersey champions are crowned. Don’t miss the U23, Junior and Team Time Trial Mixed relay as all riders hope to etch their names in history

On Sept. 24 the road race action begins as the the U23 and Juniors strut their stuff. Then on Sept. 26, the excitement builds for the Elite women’s 180 km road race as Canadian fans will cheer on defending champ, Magdeleine Vallières Mill from Quebec.

Then on the final day, Sept. 27, the Elite men will tackle a gruelling 273.2 km course concluding on the Mont-Royal circuit, before the winner claims cycling’s biggest prize, the legendary Road World Championship rainbow jersey.

With 11 official hotels all close to the action, there’s lots to choose from including special group offerings as well – visit montreal2026.org and head to the “Plan Your Trip” section to explore packages.

Montréal is also full of must-see attractions including many iconic landmarks, cultural hotspots, and must-eat local delicacies. Enjoy a shopping spree on Sainte-Catherine Street, and take in the cobblestone charm of Vieux-Montréal.

The city’s cycling network spans 1,065 kilometres and it has been awarded the UCI Bike City label, recognizing its strong commitment to cycling, both at the elite level and for everyday urban mobility.

Extend your stay and experience nearby Montérégie, home to the largest cycling network in Quebec featuring over 1,000 kilometers of bike paths for all levels of riders.

The UCI Road World Championships Montréal 2026 will be the city’s largest sporting event since the 1976 Olympic Games, bringing together nearly 1,000 cyclists. This year get ready to be part of the history at Montréal 2026.

Read more about Montreal 2026 here.
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The Alyth Gravel Network features 13 carefully designed and interconnected routes for gravel and mountain bikes, linking Alyth with quiet lanes, forest tracks, riverside trails, open moorland and historic sites across the Cateran Ecomuseum. Developed by Bikepacking Scotland founder and guidebook author Markus Stitz, the network is designed to make it easier for riders to explore the area responsibly, stay longer and support local businesses.

The routes build on Alyth’s growing reputation as a cycling destination. The town is already home to the Cateran Dirt Dash, a two-day bikepacking event that brings riders from across the UK to Perthshire each spring, and benefits from bike-friendly accommodation, bike hire and local food and drink businesses. Some of the routes are also accessible by public transport, with Ember bus services between Dundee and Aberdeen stopping at Blairgowrie, Bridge of Cally and Glenshee.

Markus Stitz, who developed the network, said: “Gravel cycling is one of the best ways to experience this part of Scotland. From Alyth you can ride straight into a huge variety of landscapes: wooded glens, open moors, rivers, farmland and quiet back roads. All without needing to drive anywhere. The Alyth Gravel Network gives visitors the confidence to explore, while encouraging them to spend time in the town and the surrounding communities.”

The project also highlights the heritage of the Cateran Ecomuseum, where riders can discover places connected to old drove roads, military roads, stone circles, standing stones and other landmarks that have shaped the area over centuries.

Designed with a mix of abilities in mind, the network includes shorter rides suitable for relaxed half-day adventures, as well as longer and more challenging routes for experienced gravel cyclists. All routes, including detailed descriptions, images and downloadable GPX files, are available on the Cateran Ecomuseum website.

Sarah Marshall, Senior Community Investment Manager from SSE, said: “The Alyth Gravel Network is exactly the kind of community-focused project that SSE’s Drumderg Community Fund is pleased to support. It encourages people to explore the area in a sustainable way, while bringing visitors into Alyth to stay locally, hire bikes, visit cafés and shops, and discover the wider Cateran Ecomuseum. That creates a positive impact for local businesses and the wider community.”

The Alyth Gravel Network routes are now available at cateranecomuseum.co.uk/explore or on Komoot.

Arguably, the country’s most famous cycling adventure is the 960-kilometre trek (about 600 miles) is the “Taiwan Cycle Route No. 1” that takes riders on a 10- to 12-day tour around the relatively small island.

The journey can be tackled as a complete cycling adventure, or you can enjoy the route’s many features at your own pace.

One of the many cultural landmarks to marvel at on the west side of the island (Day 3) is the Xiluo Bridge, a historic 1,939-metre-long, red-truss bridge connecting Yunlin and Changhua counties over the Zhuoshui River.

Further south and not to be missed is the 21km Sunset Salt Section Bike Path (Day 4) on the Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields, the oldest remaining salt pans in Taiwan. The sun’s reflection on the mosaic-like, tile-paved fields creates a stunning visual.

At the southernmost point of the main island of Taiwan, check out the Eluanbi Lighthouse located on Cape Eluanbi (Day 6), known as “The Light of East Asia.”

Heading north, enjoy the scenic 180km-long East Rift Valley (Huadong Valley) between the districts of Taitung and Hualien where you’ll find the Chishang Cycling route (Day 7) and the 1.5-mile, car-free Mr. Brown Avenue, often called the “Green Road of Paradise”.

A bit further north is the Yufu Bikeway (Day 8), a scenic 10km paved rail-trail in Hualien, East Rift Valley, connecting Yuli to Dongli that’s also car-free and built on an abandoned railway line. The journey includes the Antong hot springs, where you can stop and enjoy a dip, as well as a famous old railway bridge over the junction of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea tectonic plates.

Heading back to Taipei, you’ll pass through Yilan, Taiwan’s northernmost county on the east coast, known for its natural hot springs, surfing, and flat, recreational seaside cycling terrain.

The final section may include the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, an internationally renowned event held in New Taipei City, during the Lunar New Year (usually Feb/Mar) that sees thousands gather in Shifen to release lanterns, carrying wishes for the new year into the night sky, for a spectacular visual.

Before your final stop in Taipei, enjoy the 3km Wan-Ta Bikeway that links Baisha Bay to the iconic black-and-white Fugui Cape Lighthouse at the northernmost part of Taiwan.

Taipei is also a premier cycling city with over 100km of scenic, car-free riverside bike paths and a convenient, inexpensive YouBike bike share system.

Taiwan also hosts a number of cycling events, including the 105km Taiwan KOM Challenge, widely considered one of the world’s toughest hill climbs, and the annual Taiwan Cycling Festival held in Oct/Nov. The main event is the Sun Moon Lake Cycling, which includes Come! Bike Day, where participants can enjoy cycling around Sun Moon Lake.

There are also numerous Taiwanese cycling tour package companies, including Bicycle Adventure, One Dream Travel, Mango Tour and Giant Adventure (by Giant Bicycles), that offer many different kinds of exciting and unique cycling trips and adventures.

Read more about cycling in Taiwan here.
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Featuring over 30km of trails, you can enjoy everything from easygoing flow routes to technical, adrenaline-pumping descents, including machine-built and classic feature-rich singletrack.

In addition, the Long Range Mountains serve as the venue for a full day of mountain bike racing through the Humber Valley at the annual Long Range Enduro.

After a memorable day on the trails, you can enjoy Western Newfoundland’s authenticity and warm hospitality at local breweries, restaurants and bakeries.

Managed by the non-profit West Coast Cycling Association, the trail network meets the accessibility and service benchmarks of leading global mountain bike destinations.

Read more about Western Newfoundland cycling here.
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Perfect for cyclists of all types and skill levels, it is one of North America’s premier Gran Fondo events and features nine diverse events including Gran Fondo road tours, exhilarating gravel rides, and the excitement of XC mountain bike racing.

All Junior riders (18 & under) can race for free in the mountain biking events and for roadies there are lots of options like the 25-, 50-, 70-, or 100-mile events. For those seeking more grit, the Dirty Bear (50 miles) and Dirty Cub (25 miles) gravel rides are sure to thrill.

The weekend is packed with engaging activities like the Friday Poker Ride, Friday Night Glow Ride, and Sunday Recovery Rides along with the Big Bear Cycling Expo that’s free and open to the public with over 40 vendors, live music, delicious food, bike demos, and a free Kids Zone.

This festival attracts over 3,500 riders from around the globe, representing 40 states and 10 countries. Hosted by the Big Bear Cycling Association (BBCA), the festival has raised over $1 million for local charities since the event’s inception.

Read more about the Tour de Big Bear here.
Order a copy of Best Cycling Great Escapes with a feature on the Tour de Big Bear and many other great cycling getaways here.

Feel good: Take a deep breath, ride at your own pace, and savour every moment. The Véloroute Gourmande invites you to slow down, soak in the scenery, enjoy meaningful encounters, and listen to your own rhythm. Meet passionate artisans: With over 130 gourmet stops, the route is a true journey of discovery.

Feel proud of your accomplishment: Covering 235 kilometres is a challenge worth taking. Enjoy a change of scenery: From the Old Port of Montréal to the rolling landscapes of the Eastern Townships, every kilometre tells a different story.

Dive into history and culture: As you ride, you travel through time and discover the cultural roots that shape the region today. Travel solo… without ever feeling alone: You’re never truly alone on the Véloroute Gourmande as along the way, you’ll meet fellow cyclists, local producers, and dedicated volunteers.

Awaken your senses: From breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River to the scents of the countryside and the flavours of local cuisine. Take a well-deserved break: Step away from the everyday, slow down, and reconnect.

Challenge yourself, at your own pace: Whether on an e-bike or a traditional bike, everyone can find their own challenge. Because everything is taken care of: The Véloroute Gourmande makes it easy from start to finish with luggage transport, return shuttles, bike rentals, and all-inclusive packages.

Read more about Véloroute Gourmande here.
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Nelson and the surrounding communities of Kootenay Lake are a mountain biking mecca, delivering authentic Canadian singletrack experiences for riders of all stripes.

Mountain Station is a local paradise that’s easily accessed from downtown, offering riders a plethora of trails ranging from beginner to double black diamond, along with awesome descents. Nelson Brewing Company’s certified organic process is a great spot to relax and refuel at the end of your day.

Only 4km east, enjoy the multiple trails at Morning Mountain Bike Park including beginner routes to more challenging terrain including many intermediate options to sample as well while taking in the distant views of the Kokanee and Valhalla Mountains.

Heading west, Svoboda Road in West Arm Provincial Park offers a popular 5km doubletrack, mountain-bike-only trail with 434m of climbing. A little further west lies Balfour and the Kootenay Lake ferry where you can explore the East Shore’s Crawford Bay Trails, another popular spot.

A must-visit is Ainsworth Hot Springs, halfway between Balfour and Kalso, to enjoy the hot springs and mineral waters that have been healing visitors for hundreds of years.

For road afficionados, cycling the East Shore of British Columbia’s Kootenay Lake south to Wynndel is like taking an 80-kilometre trip back in time.

The East Shore region can be accessed via Highway 3A from Creston or the Kootenay Lake ferry that offers stunning views of the surrounding Purcell and Selkirk mountain ranges — it’s one of the longest free scenic ferries in the world.

Continue south along the shoreline to Gray Creek and then on to Boswell where it’s worth checking out the Glass House, built from a half-million empty embalming fluid bottles. About 10km from Wynndel, riders wanting to celebrate their journey should stop in the community of Sirdar on Duck Lake. Visit the Wynnwood Cellars, established in 2007, the only winery in the Nelson and Kootenay Lake region.

For gravel cycling adventures, it’s hard to beat the 52km Slocan Valley Rail Trail along the picturesque Slocan River or take on the 140km Southern Slocan Range Loop, a Nelson gravel biking classic.

Read more about the Nelson Kootenay Lake region here.
Order a copy of Best Cycling Great Escapes with a feature on the Nelson Kootenay Lake region and many other great spots here.