Cycling tourism is booming, with Google searches for “cycling holiday” up 292% in recent months. But not all bike rides are created equal when it comes to scenery. A new study by adventure booking platform Explore used eye-tracking technology to determine which routes around the world are the most visually captivating.
The research monitored 200 participants as they viewed images of 52 renowned cycling routes. By measuring how quickly each route grabbed their attention and how long it held it, the team compiled a weighted “eye-catching” score out of 100. The results are a clear win for Europe, which claims eight of the top 15 spots.
“There's something about seeing a country from the saddle that no other kind of travel can match; you're moving fast enough to cover real ground, but slow enough to take it all in,” said Luke Judd, travel expert at Explore. “What's interesting about this research is that it puts science behind what cyclists have always debated: which views genuinely stop us in our tracks.”
European routes that top the list
While the top two positions go to Canada’s Bow Valley Parkway (97/100) and Australia’s Great Ocean Road (94/100), the rest of the ranking is heavily European. Italy’s Tuscany Gravel Routes take third place with a score of 91, offering cypress-lined climbs, working vineyards, and medieval hilltop towns.
Germany’s Elbe Cycle Route follows in fourth (90/100). Stretching roughly 1,220 kilometres from Czechia to the North Sea, it passes through Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, skirts several German states, and cuts right through Hamburg. Cyclists can enjoy a mix of historic cities, countryside, and some of eastern and northern Germany’s most interesting landscapes.
Amsterdam Cycle Route 10 ranks sixth (86/100). The Netherlands is synonymous with cycling, and this circular route provides an excellent introduction to the city and its surroundings, taking riders past canals, parks, and historic neighbourhoods before heading into quieter countryside.
Italy’s Stelvio Pass and France’s Provence Lavender Route take seventh and eighth places, with scores of 82 and 81 respectively. The Stelvio is one of the toughest climbs in the Alps, while the Provence route is far more forgiving, winding through rolling hills and the vast purple fields of the Luberon and Valensole Plateau—best enjoyed in summer when the lavender is in full bloom.
Scotland’s North Coast 500 (NC500) is 11th (78/100). Starting and finishing in Inverness, this 800-kilometre loop can take even fit cyclists up to five days. It rewards those who tackle it with rugged coastal scenery and a sense of wildness that is hard to match.
France’s Route des Grandes Alpes also scores 78, tying for 12th. This classic mountain route runs from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, crossing some of the French Alps’ most spectacular passes. It’s challenging, with long climbs and steep sections, so it’s best suited to experienced riders.
The final European entry is the Lake Ohrid Circuit in 14th place (76/100). This 90–96 kilometre ride crosses the border between North Macedonia and Albania, taking in the historic towns of Ohrid and Struga, the Monastery of Saint Naum, and the Albanian lakeside town of Pogradec. Don’t forget your passport.
For those inspired to plan their own cycling adventure, the study offers plenty of options closer to home. And if you’re looking for other travel inspiration, you might also check out Europe's top airports or wildlife encounters across the continent.
