Travel Destinations
There is no other way to experience the mountains than getting out there
Finding a base for your riding vacation that allows you to ride right from your accommodation without needing to drive is a real luxury and these places provide just that.
Bormio (Lombary)- Italy
Rich heritage, impressive scenery, highest passes.
Bormio is the perfect place to explore the mountains of Lombary. Probably the most bike friendly place I have been to and home of the Stelvio, Gavia and Mortirolo passes. No road is flat here and Gavia and Mortirolo can be combined in one long ride. The scenery is breathtaking everywhere and Bormio caters superbly for cycling. Hotels have bike room, there are competent bike repair and hire shops
Apart for the famous passes, Bormio offers lesser known climbs too which offer great views and can be combined in longer or shorter rides. These are the Torri di Fraele with its 21 hairpins, Bormio 2000 which is a great warm up ride. Longer rides to Passo Bernina in Switzerland or to hidden valleys like the Val Grosina to Eita further south from Grosio offer a great cycling variety.
Bormio is a charming historical town with hot springs, great food - try the local pizzoccheri - and a wonderful base to explore Italy's most famous rides.
Bormio Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach: Passo delle Stelvio, Passo Umbrail (CH), Passo Gavia, Passo Mortirolo, Passo Foscagno, Torri di Fraele, Bormio 2000, Passo Bernina (CH)
Bike stores and rental: Stelvio experience all things bike and Stelvio, competent and good rental options. Ski & Bike is also a quality shop for rental and repairs.
Bike friendly accommodation: Alpi & Golf Hotel nice hotel with wonderful food and separate bike room. Caters for English speaking guests, wonderful people.
Tourism website: Road cycling Bormio
Arabba (Dolomites) - Italy
At the heart of the Dolomites and Giro country.
Arabba sits at the heart of the Dolomite passes, and a number of iconic rides can be started from here, including the Sella Ronda.
It is a small village and is somewhat overshadowed by Canazei to the south and Corvara to the north, but in terms of location it is hard to beat. Positioned at the foot of the Passo Pordoi, it offers endless combinations of short and long rides, allowing you to tackle as many — or as few — climbs as you wish.
Further afield are legendary routes such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo via Passo Giau and Cortina d’Ampezzo, or the Passo delle Erbe to the north via Corvara.
Arabba may be small, but it has everything you need for a fantastic week of cycling.
Arabba Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach: Passo Pordoi, Passo Campolungo, Passo Gardena, Passo Sella, Passo Falzarego, Passo Giau, Passo Valparola, Passo Staulanza, Passo Fedaia, Tre Cime de Lavaredo (via Cortina d'Ampezzo), Passo delle Erbe
Bike stores and rental: Limitt Bike service friendly and competent bike service and rental.
Bike friendly accommodation: Hotel Bellavista good value hotel with good breakfast and plenty of dinner on the half board option, separate bike room.
Tourism website: Arabba cycling routes many of the routes are circular in the Dolomites
Sankt Leonhard in P. (Alto Adige)- Italy
Riding in Alto Adige/Südtirol at its best.
Sankt Leonhard in Passeier is situated in the upper Adige Valley to the north of Merano/Meran in the German speaking parts of Italy, the Alto Adige / Südtirol. This is a lovely and historic area combining Austrian and Italian culture. The flair is southern yet Austrian. The preeminent climbs in the area are the Timmelsjoch/Passo Rombo to Sölden in Austria and the Jaufenpass to Sterzing, not far from the Austrian border. There is lovely riding in lower altitude around the town and a cycle path that goes past Meran/Merano all the way to Bolzano/Bozen (see route here). The area can further be explored on a two day ride climbing the Jaufenpass and Penser Joch and the plateau between Bozen and Merano/Meran. Explore the route here.
Riding here is a combination of high alpine passes and lovely valleys with vineyards and orchards.
Merano/Meran is also a lovely historical spa town that invites for rest stop.
Riva di Garda (Trento)- Italy
Where the Alps meet the upper Italian low lands.
Riva is a busy, vibrant town where bikes are everywhere. Riding in the area includes tough mountain climbs, scenic valley routes, and roads along the lake shore.
Traffic around the lake can be heavy and, if you plan to ride the lakeside road (which I would not generally recommend), the eastern side is best tackled early in the morning. At this lower altitude, many of the climbs are heavily wooded, but when the road opens up, the views are beautiful. Some of these ascents are rated HC (hors catégorie) or even beyond in difficulty.
Further afield — and reachable by car — are classic climbs such as Monte Grappa and Passo del Manghen.
Riva del Garda is a resort town with extensive facilities catering to cyclists, and it also offers beaches; nearby Torbole is a quieter option. That said, Riva’s lively atmosphere may not appeal to everyone, and Arco, further down the valley, provides a more peaceful alternative.
Riva del Garda Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach, many are in the HC category: Passo Santa Barbara, Monte Baldo, Passo San Valentino, Monte Vargana (till parking), Monte Bondone, Malga Campo , San Giovanni al Monte and Passo del Ballino .
Bike stores and rental: The Lab Bike Wellness service and rental in Riva is a good little shop with competent staff and good advice. They have a good rental selection too, mainly MBTs and Gravel though.
Bike friendly accommodation: This is a list of bike friendly accommodation on Lake Garda to get started. Airbnb places are also a good option in Riva and for any hotel, it is worth to enquire with the property you are interested directly if they have bike specific storage and services.
Tourism website: Garda road biking routes and other information for a bike holiday on Lake Garda.
Aosta (Aosta Valley)- Italy
Riding in an amphitheatre of magic mountains.
Aosta is the largest town in the Aosta Valley and lies right at its centre, making it an ideal base for exploring the region by bike. Although it is the largest town among my travel destinations—and I would not normally recommend staying somewhere with traffic—its location and historical significance make it a great place to base yourself.
The origins of Aosta date back to Roman times, and the nearby Great St Bernard Pass is one of the oldest passes in the Alps. The valley is dotted with steep side roads, ancient castles, and demanding climbs at both lower and higher elevations—all framed by some of the most famous mountains in the world, including the Matterhorn (Cervin) and Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). On the southern side of the valley lies the Gran Paradiso National Park, offering rides with spectacular scenery and a real sense of remoteness.
Famous passes within reach include the Great St Bernard, the Little St Bernard / Colle San Carlo, Colle di San Pantaleone, and the ride to Cervinia at the foot of the Matterhorn.
The Aosta Valley is historically French-speaking, giving it a unique Italo-French character which, combined with its high mountains and ancient landscapes, makes the region truly special.
Bludenz (Voralberg) - Austria
Hidden gem
It is an excellent base for tours that cover multiple climbs. Although it may not be at the top of most cyclists’ destination lists — and is perhaps not widely known — this charming town in western Austria, in Vorarlberg, offers a great variety of cycling terrain.
To the north lies the Bregenzerwald towards Germany, featuring several lower-altitude mountain passes as well as the rolling pre-Alpine hills of the Allgäu. Here, you can design circular routes that include climbs such as the Furkajoch, Hochtannbergpass, and the scenic Lechtal mountain roads. Alternatively, the Bregenzerwald offers rides with shorter climbs and lovely villages that make perfect café stops.
To the south, towards Switzerland, you will find higher passes with spectacular switchbacks and steeper gradients. For a longer ride, the ascent to the Bieler Höhe in the Montafon can be extended into a substantial loop via St. Anton and the Arlberg Pass.
If you prefer a flatter day, Lake Constance is just a short train ride away and offers endless kilometres of cycle paths and quiet backroads, as well as a short but rewarding climb up the Pfänder mountain.
Bludenz Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach: Bielerhöhe, Brandnertal, Lünersee, Furkajoch, Faschinajoch, Hochtannbergpass, Flexenpass, Arlbergpass, and a little further afield is the Pfänder and Bödele Losenpass - Find an overview over Vorlaberg here
Bike stores and rental: Bachman cycle shop repairs but no rental. Rowdy is a quirky shop Schruns who services bikes. Intersport in the Montafon offer bike repair and other bike services.
Bike friendly accommodation: The Val Blu Spa Resort is a little more expensive but a great place to combine riding with relaxation. Many properties around Bludenz, the Montafon and Brand are sport oriented and it is worth enquiring with the property you are interested in directly if they have bike specific storage and services.
Tourism website: Voralberg info
Zillertal (Tyrol) - Austria
Riding in Tyrol at its best.
Cycling in the Zillertal offers two contrasting experiences. The valley floor provides smooth, relaxed riding along the river, passing through green farmland and villages with constant views of high Alpine walls on either side. In contrast, the Zillertaler Höhenstraße climbs steeply from the valley with little warning, using tight switchbacks and sustained gradients to gain height quickly. As the road rises, forests give way to open alpine pastures and exposed traverses, revealing expansive views across the Zillertal and toward distant glaciers. Together, they create a balance of calm valley riding and challenging, highly scenic climbing. Apart form the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse which started out as track connecting hillside villages, there is further riding to the Schlegeisstausee reservoir, a car free climb to the Zillergründl reservoir, the Speicher Stillup, the Gerlospass can be reached easily and the Wanglalm provides a great MBT destination. There is plenty here for a riding holiday. The bigger town is Mayerhofen but the smaller places like Ramsau, Zell am Ziller and Zillertal offer good bases to ride this area.
St Michel de Maurienne (Northern Alps) - France
French cycling superlative.
At the heart of the most spectacular cycling in France and this little village is right at the heart of the the most impressive cycling. Overlooked by the impressive Fort du Telegraphe.
Located at the foot of the Telegraphe/Galibier climb, probably the must do climb in France. To the east the Col d'Iseran and Mont Cenis in the Haute Maurienne Valley is in striking distance and to the west are the Col de Glandon, Croix de Fer and Madelaine. Plus the fabled Lacets de Montvernier.
The train line that runs through the Maurienne valley connects all the starting points and comes in handy to shorten some rides, especially the Col d'Iseran which is still a fair way away. If you like a larger place, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne is the obvious choice.
The valley between La Chambre and Modane is quite industrial and valley floor rides are not as nice. The Haute Maurienne Valley past Modane is delightful though with lovely savoiardi villages like Aussois and Bonneval sur Arc.
St Michele de Maurienne Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach: Maurienne - Col du Galibier, Col de Telegraph, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer, Col de la Madeleine, Lacets de Montvernier, Haute Maurienne - Col d'Iseran, Mont Cenis , Plan d'Aval Dam, plus many more
Bike stores and rental: Rentmybike competent bike store with quality rental options.
Bike friendly accommodation: Check out this list of bike friendly accommodation in the Maurienne valley. St Michele is quite a small town and it is also worth to enquire with the property you are interested directly if they have bike specific storage and services. Alternative accommodation can be found in St Jeanne de Maurienne or in Aussois in the Haute Maurienne.
Tourism website: Maurienne region overview good info over the valley, SNCF trains train times and tickets for travelling in the Maurienne valley.
Briancon (Southern Alps) - France
France highest city.
Briançon is a stunning alpine town nestled in the Hautes-Alpes region of southeastern France, close to the Italian border. It is the highest city in France, sitting at 1,326 metres above sea level.
Road cycling around Briançon in the French Alps is renowned for its high-mountain terrain, legendary Tour de France climbs, and dramatic alpine scenery. From town you can ride directly onto iconic passes such as the Col d’Izoard, the steep and demanding Col de Granon, or head toward Col du Lautaret and continue up the mighty Col du Galibier, one of the highest paved roads in the Alps. Climbs are typically long—often 15–25 km—with sustained gradients of 6–9% and frequent elevation gains exceeding 1,000 meters per ride. The rewards are sweeping views, quiet secondary roads, fast technical descents, and a strong cycling culture throughout the region. The main season runs from June to September when the high passes are usually snow-free, and lower-traffic D-roads offer the most enjoyable riding compared with busier valley routes. Overall, Briançon is a true hub for serious alpine road cycling, combining physical challenge with some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain landscapes.
Further, a nice 80 km, 1,600m climb circular route to the north goes to Bardonecchia via the Val di Pres, the return is on busier roads though. Find out more here.
There is also a great circular ride of 94km and 2,220m elevation gain, climbing the Col d'Izoard and returning via the Durance valley. Find out more here.
Isola (Alpes de Provence) - France
At the confluence of the Alps and the Provence.
Situated 90 km from Nice and 20 km from the Italian border, Isola is a medieval village perched at an altitude of 870 m, nestled at the confluence of the Tinée and Guerche rivers. The village is ideally situated to exploring the Southern French Alps and into Provence.
You can cover the high passes of the Cime de la Bonette and the Col de la Moutiere to the north in the Parc National de Mercantour.
Italy via the Col de la Lombarde (and Isola 2000) is in reach and a further descend to the Santuario Sant'Anna di Vinadio is highly recommended.
To the south are the climbs of the Col de la Couillole/Valberg and the Gorge du Cian or a longer ride to Saint Martin Vesubie via the Col de la Colmiane with their unmistakable provencal vegetation and feeling.
Isola is a small village, it is very charming and has a nice pool to relax but has limited accommodation and restaurants. Bike repair shops are up the Tinee Valley in Auron (Sport 2000) or in St Martin Vesubie to the south (Sport Addict).
Further places to base yourself for a cycling holiday in France
Exploring the Northern French Alps from Bourg St Maurice opens a large number of climbs. Killer passes like the Col d'Iseran, Cormet de Roselend and the Petit St Bernard are in striking distance. There are climbs along the Tarentaise valley like Les Arcs, La Plagne and the Col du Tra. Further afield is the Col de la Madeleine. What is not to like?
Tarentaise Valley
The Southern French Alps around the Mercantour national park are less accessible and the distances can be longer. The cols close by are the Col d'Allos, Col de la Cayolle (both can be combined to a 122 circular road with 3,400m elevation gain), and Cime de la Bonette. Further afield is Gulliestre via the Col de Vars or the Col de Larche at the Italian border.
Parc Mercantour
Located in the northern, lower lying Alpes du Chablais, and a great place to explore the many passroads. Here are some route suggestions to get you started: 95km ride to Chalet and Lake Morgins at the Swiss border. Short loop between Morzine and Avoriaz. Shorter loop to Col du Joux Plane and les Gets. Longer loop to Col du Joux Plane.
Northern Alps
Port de Soller (Mallorca)- Spain
Climbing the Tramontana mountains.
Port de Sóller (pronounced So-yer) is the best place to base yourself for exploring the Tramuntana mountains. Sóller, the larger town, lies 3 km inland and is cut off from the rest of the island by a wall of mountains rising over 1,000 m high. There is no way out without some climbing. Moreover, most of the island’s best climbs are within reach of a day’s ride.
Although Port de Sóller still has a working harbour, today it is a charming resort town, with a beautiful promenade set around a horseshoe-shaped bay and plenty of restaurants. From a cycling perspective, it is ideally located: iconic climbs such as Puig Major, Sa Calobra, Coll de Sóller, the west coast road to Valldemossa, and the inland passes like Coll d’Honor are all easily accessible.
You could stay in Sóller itself, a bustling little town with an intricate old centre and a large cathedral, or in one of the nearby villages, such as Fornalutx. However, being based by the sea in Port de Sóller is particularly appealing. Having dinner at one of the restaurants along the beach promenade, watching the sun set while refuelling and unwinding after a day’s riding, is hard to beat.
Ride here and you certainly won’t be alone. It is popular with cyclists, and with its smooth roads and fantastic scenery, it’s easy to see why.
Port de Soller Factfile
Passes and climbs in easy reach: Puig Major, Sa Calobra, Coll de Soller, Coll d'Honor, Can Costa, Port de Valldemossa
Bike stores and rental: Tramontana Tours - they have Canyon and Trek road bikes, gravel and MTB bikes plus e-bikes. Really competent and friendly shop. They also offer guided rides and have tour suggestions on their website.
Bike friendly accommodation: Port de Soller has a large variety of accomation, anything from self catering to luxury, many catering for cyclists. I stayed in a 1 star place which is not everyone's cup of tea. If you are not bothered by a cheap no frills place where you can rest your head and keep you bike secure in your room (or rather in your hut which are dotted around the ground), check out Soller Gardens.
Bikepacking has a very different dynamic from day rides even if you ride on holiday and in new places. More immersed, more intense, more adventure, more freedom.
