Sustainable bike vacations – The most beautiful tours and regions
If there is one mode of transportation better suited to sustainable travel than almost any other, it is the bicycle. Slow enough to let you experience nature and discover the little details along the way, yet fast enough to cover longer distances.
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Bike Tourism is more popular than ever
A study by the German Cyclists' Federation (ADFC) revealed that 38 million people in Germany took day trips by bike in 2022. Four and a half million took a trip with an overnight stay. It is encouraging to see that nearly a third of day-trippers and half of all cyclists traveled by train. Overall, almost half of a billion day trips were made by bicycle. And that is in Germany alone.
Sustainable Cycling Destinations
Biking in your vacation destination is the perfect way to get to know the area, even if you did not come here specifically for that. In this newsletter, we will show you the best destinations for biking. Taking sustainable, bike-friendly accommodations as a starting point, of course.
Discover the Ritten by Bike (Italy)
South Tyrol is a popular destination for cycling, offering a diverse range of routes catering to both recreational cyclists and ambitious athletes. The Ritten offers a unique combination of relaxed, relatively flat tours for beginners with more challenging mountain tours in a compact area. The numerous shady forests provide ideal conditions for long rides, even in summer, while spring and fall are particularly attractive seasons.
- Tour Recommendations: The Maria Saal tour includes a visit to the renowned earth pyramids. Additionally, the Rittner Horn, the highest point on the Ritten, is a destination that should not be missed.
Find out more about biking on the Ritten. - Good to know: It is not allowed to ride on unpaved roads and paths and slopes less than 1.5 meters wide.
- Sustainable Accommodation: The association "Bike Host" offers e-bike rentals and guided tours. One participating hotel is the family-friendly APIPURA hotel rinner. It features cozy rooms, a large garden with a playground, an outdoor spa on the roof, and authentic regional organic cuisine. But the real highlight is the api-welness, where you can breathe the air of the beehive and unwind.
Another "Bike Host" is the Hotel Weihrerhof, which also caters to families and is located directly on the Wolfsgrubensee. Following the bike tour, guests of all ages can enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake.
Biking in the Bucklige Welt (Austria)
Just over an hour from Vienna, the Bucklige Welt is the ideal destination not only for hiking but for pleasure biking as well. 400 kilometers of bike trails crisscross the landscape, offering breathtaking views of the Rax, Schneeberg, and Semmering. Some tours start right in Wiener Neustadt, and you can explore the Bucklige Welt from there, for example on a museum bike tour.
- Tour Recommendation: The Schwarzatal Bike Trail is approximately 40 kilometers in length and begins in Steinfeld, following the Schwarza River downstream to the alpine region below the Rax. Along the route, visitors will have the opportunity to view numerous historic buildings from the industrialization era, offering insights into the region's rich history.
- Sustainable Accommodation: Gut Guntrams offers a variety of accommodations for families, solo travelers, and couples, all situated in a natural setting. The hotel's on-site nature museum, featuring old fruit trees and a crystal garden, provides an ideal setting for guests to enjoy a stroll.
City Trip by Bike in Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)
City cycling is not typically associated with relaxing vacations. It is often seen as stressful and a constant battle between bike and car. However, more and more cities are focusing on traffic concepts that put cyclists first. Freiburg is no exception. The city in the Black Forest has created several streets where cyclists have priority, as well as bike paths that connect the city center with the surrounding countryside. In total, the network covers more than 400 kilometers.
- Tour Recommendations: Freiburg is best explored by bike. The numerous cycle paths take you past the most important sights, including the cathedral and the sustainable Vauban district.
- Good to know: In addition to classic solo bike tours, there are also guided adventure tours in Freiburg and the surrounding area. For example, a puzzle e-bike tour starts from Ihringen station and takes you 45 kilometers around the Kaiserstuhl region.
- Sustainable Accommodation: The Green City Hotel Vauban is located on the outskirts of the aforementioned Vauban district. Its clean, serene design provides a tranquil retreat. As an inclusive establishment, the hotel works with other inclusive businesses whenever possible. Guests also receive a regional train ticket for the duration of their stay (which can be sent in advance).
Vineyards and River Romance on the Moselle (Germany)
The Moselle River winds through a region of steep slopes and vineyards on both sides. The area offers a wide variety of bike routes, from challenging climbs into the vineyards to relaxing rides along the river. There is something for everyone. Do not forget to stop at one of the many wine taverns along the way to sample some Moselle wine. Just remember, there is a legal limit for drinking and riding a bike!
- Tour Recommendations: The best of two worlds: The Maare-Moselle cycle path. Cyclists follow an old railroad line from the maars of the Volcanic Eifel down to the cultural landscape of the Moselle. In between, they will find viaducts, forests, and great views of the landscape again and again.
Find out more about the tour. - Good to know: The region offers convenient transportation via bike buses that provide transportation for both people and their bicycles. One such bus also runs between Bernkastel-Kues and Daun, the starting and ending points of the Maare-Moselle Cycle Path.
- Sustainable Accommodation: The Lifestyle Resort Zum Kurfürsten is conveniently located just above the small town of Bernkastel-Kues. Formerly a bus hotel, the property has been transformed into a popular wellness hotel with an extensive spa area, a variety of saunas and pools, its own TCM center, and several restaurants.
Experience the Ligurian Coast on Two Wheels (Italy)
Liguria offers the best of both worlds: idyllic coastline and rugged hinterland, dotted with small villages that allow you to experience the real Italy away from the tourist hotspots. The rides there are at least moderately difficult, so they are best suited to cyclists with a certain level of fitness and who can cope with steeper climbs and descents. For everyone else, it is recommended to explore the coastal sections by bike (or opt for e-bikes in the mountains).
- Tour Recommendations: Running parallel to the Via Aurelia coastal road is a disused railroad line that has been converted for cyclists: the Pista Ciclabile. This route offers a relaxed pace for discovering the coast from San Lorenzo al Mare to Ospedaletti. The 26 kilometers are mostly flat and offer the opportunity to stop at free beaches.
- Sustainable Accommodation: The Albergo Diffuso Relais del Maro is situated in a village in the hinterland and offers accommodation in historical buildings that have been lovingly restored and are located in the center of the village. The rooms are located in the former artisan buildings of the owner's family. The main building, with reception and breakfast room, also has a large garden with a swimming pool, where guests can relax after a strenuous mountain hike.
A Paradise for Mountain Bikers in the Tyrolean Alps (Austria)
Mountain biking is best done in the mountains. And Tirol has plenty of them. With a vast network of mountain bike trails for all levels, everyone will get their money's worth. Additionally, most accommodations are mountain bike-friendly, so you can store your bike safely.
- Tour Recommendations: This family-friendly mountain bike tour is the best way to explore the region around Pfunds. It leads from Pfunds via Tschingls to St. Ulrich. Another great route is the relatively easy route to Pfundser Tschey and then on to Grupach.
- Sustainable Accommodations: The sustainable Summit Lodges are two fully equipped vacation homes (including a private sauna) built in the style of North American log cabins. Start your mountain bike ride right from the doorstep, after enjoying a cup of coffee on the deck overlooking the surrounding mountain peaks.
Mountainbiking in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands)
Gran Canaria is a popular destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts of all kinds, especially during the low season and winter. Its mild climate and rugged, varied landscape are just two of the many reasons for this popularity.
However, cyclists should have a certain level of basic fitness, especially for inland tours. Be prepared to ride on gravel roads, packed dirt tracks, and stony country lanes. So you should not be afraid of getting dirty.
- Tour Recommendations: The ideal starting point is the tour from Maspalomas to the Ayagaures reservoir. It is varied and gives a good insight into why Gran Canaria is known as the "miniature continent". Moreover, although it's mostly uphill, the climbs alternate with flat sections and descents, so there's always a moment to catch your breath.
- Good to know: The Gran Canaria Bike Week takes place in December, where you can discover the island in different stages with other enthusiasts.
- Sustainable Accommodation: Located in the rugged heart of the island, Casa León Royal Retreat offers an idyllic and intimate retreat experience. The boutique hotel is surrounded by a lovingly tended garden of native plants. A pool, authentic Canarian cuisine, and a full program of activities round out the hotel experience. Guided bicycle tours are part of the program.
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