Cycling Gone Crazy: The 5 Most Epic Routes Worldwide
Imagine the crunch of the road under your tyres, the feel of the breeze against your face and the stunning surroundings that slip by as you cycle the Route des Grandes Alpes.
Life is just better when you’re on two wheels, pedalling through some of the most rugged and beautiful terrains on the planet. Here are my top picks for the most epic cycling routes in the world
Route des Grandes Alpes, France
This classic route is what immediately sprung to mind when putting together this list. Not for the faint-hearted or even the most well-intentioned of beginners, this epic tour runs for over 400 miles all the way from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. It involves several serious uphill sections to test you, not forgetting the 30-mile climb to reach the Col de l’Iseran summit. A challenge for the more experienced cycling fanatics out there, I should think!
Dead Sea to Red Sea, Jordan
Do you want to combine a daring cross-country cycle to the lowest point of earth (at 418m below sea level) with an exciting trip back in time? Then this is the route for you! Not only will you see biblical scenes of epic proportion as you begin your descent atop Mount Nebo with spectacular panoramic views of the Promised Land, you’ll also manage to see one of Jordan’s main historic sites, the Al Karak Castle along the way— oh, and you’ll get to see Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World too.
The Great Ocean Road, Australia
This 150 mile coastal road, which connects the towns of Allansford and Torquay in the south east of Australia, is in fact the largest war memorial in the world today, having been constructed by WW1 soldiers on their return from the Great War. This iconic route is perfect for those trying to fit a stunning route into a long weekend, and the great thing about it (besides the breath-taking views and the chance to behold the Twelve Apostle rock stacks first hand!) is that there are loads of detours – both on and off the beaten track – for you to explore, should you have some more time to play with and an adventurous itch that even this cycle trip of a lifetime doesn’t quite scratch.
Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu, Peru
Connect seeing two of the best sights that Peru has to offer with a challenging mountain bike route that will test your ability to pedal at high altitudes. With a starting point on the shores of Lake Titicaca at 3812m (the world’s highest navigable lake), you’ll pass through gorgeously bright and colourful colonial towns as you make your way to the lost city and Wonder of the World that is Machu Picchu. Mostly consisting of a dirt track, this route winds through the Altiplano and you have high chances of coming across a few llamas and alpacas along the way!
The Atlas Traverse, Morocco
Only a stone’s throw from Marrakech, this route would let you combine a city break to the souks and hammams of this bustling Moroccan city really easily. The High Atlas Mountain Range offers wild, dusty terrain sure to be every mountain biking enthusiast’s wildest dream. This epic route takes you through the dramatic Dades Valley, offers stunning vistas of the snowy summit of North Africa’s highest peak Mount Toubkal, and includes a stop in charming Imilchil, the Berber settlement named for its two lakes which its residents are so proud of.
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