Tours

Europe

- The 2026 Swiss cycling calendar offers a wide range of events from gravel adventures to road marathons for professionals and amateurs.  
- Tour de Suisse will be shortened to five stages and expanded to include the "Tour de Suisse Explorer" format for everyone.  
- Several established events such as the Gravel Festival Bern and Alpenbrevet will have new formats, an expanded programme or are in high demand.

Summit for everyone: the 10 best cycling events in Switzerland in 2026

- Four long, sometimes very challenging high mountain single trails are located in Davos, Val Müstair, Ticino and Valais.
- The Chörbschhorn and Piz-Umbrail trails offer an alpine panorama, many metres of descent and sections with ascents of up to 586 metres.
- The Monte Tamaro and Portail de Fully trails combine massive descents, exposed passages and spectacular cable car and lake views.

Supertrails in Switzerland: The Fantastic Four

EUROPE

- Iceland offers spectacular MTB experiences between trail parks in the thermal area and remote highlands with fragile vegetation.  
- Guides like Magne develop challenging highland routes without e-bikes, as hut power is scarce and weather extremes must always be taken into account.  
- Best time to travel by bike is mid-May to the end of September; highlands from mid-June, high prices, camping cheaper, information on weather and roads online.

Trail park road trip in Iceland: the untamed

- Nemo offers a bikepacking set with lightweight tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and pillow, focussing on low weight and compact pack size.  
- The editorial team praises the tent, mat and pillow as lightweight and reasonably priced, but criticises the high weight of the Forte sleeping bag.  
- Many components are made from recycled materials, are PFAS-free and in some cases completely recyclable, with comfort features such as Spoon-Shape and Spaceframe.

Bikepacking equipment: Ready for a micro-adventure: tent, sleeping mat & sleeping bag from Nemo

MTB dates in May: start of the season - the trails are now open here

- Three-day MTB stage tour from Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld follows the winding Saale loops and several reservoirs in the Slate Mountains.  
- Trails offer some exposed sections and panoramic views; local initiatives (DIMB IG Thüringer Meer, Fairy Bike Trails) promote infrastructure and togetherness.  
- Stages of medium difficulty with a high proportion of trails, limited service density and tips for accommodation, travelling and excursions in the Saale valley.

Source of joy: 3 trail days along the Saale from Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld

- Gravel-Ultra "Hamburg's Backyard": 688 km, almost 3000 m elevation gain, 4 days, 100 starting places 2026 sold out after 6 hours, waiting list and newsletter
- New category "Night Shift": 239 km, approx. 1000 m elevation gain, 12 hours overnight, start 26 June at the Erste Liebe Bar, entry fee 99 euros
- Unsupported race: no catering or technical assistance, self-catering compulsory, mutual assistance permitted; GPX, tracker, goodie bag, T-shirt included

Gravel Ultra Race: The 2807 metres of altitude in Hamburg

- Bikepacking focuses on minimalist, low-cost travelling with gravel bikes, authenticity instead of comfort and daily stages of over 100 km.  
- Denmark and other regions are integrating bikepacking-friendly infrastructure such as over 1000 shelters; apps and platforms make it easier to find routes and places to sleep.  
- The movement is democratising travel, challenging traditional tourism structures, promoting sustainable value creation and influencing urban and tourism planning.

Denmark is leading the way: The new bikepacking movement - is this the future?

- Green Trails project: 200 km of trails + 200 km of connecting trails in northern Hesse by 2028, currently 139.8 km completed in five regions.
- Diemelstadt is opening two family-friendly loops (13 km, 7.5 km) with four trails, five technology and knowledge stations on paper production.
- Another 60.2 km are to be created in Twistetal and Lichtenfels; routes can be used by project partners via an app with a kilometre collection function.

Green Trails in Hesse: How is Europe's biggest trail project going?

- The 180 km long Ciclovia Pedemontana FVG3 connects Sacile with Gorizia through Alpine foothills, UNESCO sites, villages and wine regions.
- The route combines natural experiences such as the wild Tagliamento River and Lake Cornino with historic towns, castles, cutlers' traditions and Lombard heritage.
- Friuli Venezia Giulia offers a dense cycling infrastructure, diverse landscapes and a cuisine characterised by Austrian, Slavic, Venetian and Friulian influences.

Pedemontana Cycle Route FVG3: A cycle tour through the treasures of Friuli

- Bikepacking requires sacrifice: only take what you really need, strictly weigh up weight and space, experience reduces the superfluous.
- Key equipment: light sleeping bag, sleeping mat, rain jacket, headlamp, sat nav, saddle bag; tent and bivouac sack are a luxury depending on the situation.
- Clothing and small items: merino or cotton layers, minimal toiletries, repair kit, sun and rain protection, few changeable items.

The ultimate bikepacking guide: What to take, what to leave at home?

- The Trans-Cambrian-Route leads in 3 stages over 166 km through lonely Cambrian Mountains to the Irish Sea, with over 3100 metres of altitude.  
- Wales offers numerous trail centres ("Big 5" including Afan, Coed y Brenin, BikePark Wales) and guided MTB tours such as the Trans Cambrian and Eryri routes.  
- Important for the Wales bike trip: passport and ETA from 2026, rainwear, local bug spray, spare brake pads, pay car park fees, use bed & breakfast.

MTB top spot Wales: The Trans Cambrian Way - 7 travel tips for Wales

The best European tours for bikers | Routes & trails in Europe ✓ Tips and preparation ✓ 

Europe tours by bike | BIKE

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Europe tours by bike | BIKE

Summit for everyone
The 10 best cycling events in Switzerland in 2026

Supertrails in Switzerland
The Fantastic Four

Trail park road trip in Iceland
The untamed

Bikepacking equipment
Ready for a micro-adventure: tent, sleeping mat & sleeping bag from Nemo

MTB dates in May
Start of the season - the trails are now open here

Source of joy
3 trail days along the Saale from Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld

Gravel Ultra Race
The 2807 metres of altitude in Hamburg

Denmark is leading the way
The new bikepacking movement - is this the future?

Green Trails in Hesse
How is Europe's biggest trail project going?

Pedemontana Cycle Route FVG3
A cycle tour through the treasures of Friuli

The ultimate bikepacking guide
What to take, what to leave at home?

MTB top spot Wales
The Trans Cambrian Way - 7 travel tips for Wales

Europe tours by bike | BIKE

Summit for everyoneThe 10 best cycling events in Switzerland in 2026

Supertrails in SwitzerlandThe Fantastic Four

Trail park road trip in IcelandThe untamed

Bikepacking equipmentReady for a micro-adventure: tent, sleeping mat & sleeping bag from Nemo

MTB dates in MayStart of the season - the trails are now open here

Source of joy3 trail days along the Saale from Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld

Gravel Ultra RaceThe 2807 metres of altitude in Hamburg

Denmark is leading the wayThe new bikepacking movement - is this the future?

Green Trails in HesseHow is Europe's biggest trail project going?

Pedemontana Cycle Route FVG3A cycle tour through the treasures of Friuli

The ultimate bikepacking guideWhat to take, what to leave at home?

MTB top spot WalesThe Trans Cambrian Way - 7 travel tips for Wales

Summit for everyone
The 10 best cycling events in Switzerland in 2026

Supertrails in Switzerland
The Fantastic Four

Trail park road trip in Iceland
The untamed

Bikepacking equipment
Ready for a micro-adventure: tent, sleeping mat & sleeping bag from Nemo

MTB dates in May
Start of the season - the trails are now open here

Source of joy
3 trail days along the Saale from Bad Lobenstein to Saalfeld

Gravel Ultra Race
The 2807 metres of altitude in Hamburg

Denmark is leading the way
The new bikepacking movement - is this the future?

Green Trails in Hesse
How is Europe's biggest trail project going?

Pedemontana Cycle Route FVG3
A cycle tour through the treasures of Friuli

The ultimate bikepacking guide
What to take, what to leave at home?

MTB top spot Wales
The Trans Cambrian Way - 7 travel tips for Wales