Cycling is a popular activity in the Lakes & Mountains. There are few more thrilling ways to immerse yourself in the beautiful mountain and lakes scenery, than on your bike.
From relaxed guided tours with comfortable overnight stays in hotels and Inghams taking care of your luggage, to adventurous downhill racing on a mountain bike, there’s a cycling experience for everyone.
This handy list compiles some of our favourite, and most scenic locations to explore by bike.
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Slovenia has become increasingly popular with cyclists who wish to explore this wonderful, varied country. Cycling enthusiasts can easily navigate the spectacular mountains, lakes and waterfalls with clearly designed cycle routes and concise maps.
The flat roads around Lake Bled, with their minimal traffic, are safe and pleasant to cycle on. And of course, there are plenty of attractive forest trails which are clearly marked and suitable for both casual cyclists and experienced mountain bikers.
If you aren’t a fan of climbing steep hills on your bike, then you can always catch a local bus to the stunningly picturesque Pokljuka high plateau. We like to refer to this tactic as ‘conserving our energy’! From here you can cycle with ease down the idyllic Bohinj valley.
There are many delightful Slovenian restaurants and cafes along the numerous cycle routes. Make sure you stop to enjoy lunch as you soak in the spectacular views.
Inghams recommends:
The 4-star Hotel Kompas offers a high degree of comfort and excellent pool and spa facilities, complete with beautiful lake views. Guests are entitled to 2 hours’ free bike hire a day, subject to availability.
Morzine, France
The Portes du Soleil region, crossing the border from France into Switzerland is a Mecca for mountain bike enthusiasts, and Morzine has a long standing reputation for its excellent biking trails.
Morzine is suitable for all abilities. The trails are clearly marked, and comprehensive maps of the area are easy to follow. The wealth of cycle routes ranges from beginner tracks (marked in blue) to advanced paths suitable for experienced cyclists (marked in black). And the extensive lift system provides ready access to the mountain.
If you want to follow in the footsteps (or should that be bike tracks?) of the Tour de France, you should attempt the Col de Jeux Verte which links Morzine with the neighbouring village of Avoriaz. It's along here that you’ll experience some of the best views of the valley.
As one of the prettiest villages in the Alps, Morzine is an attractive destination for your Lakes & Mountains holiday. From gentle valleys and tranquil lakes, to towering peaks, forests and alpine meadows, there are plenty of interesting environments to explore on your bike.
Inghams recommends:
The family run 4-star Hotel Champs Fleuris is situated in a peaceful location only a minutes’ walk from the centre of the village. It is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day with access to fabulous spa facilities as well as an outdoor pool.
Hinterglemm, Austria
The home of mountain biking in Austria, Hinterglemm is renowned for its annual mountain biking championship which attracts visitors from around the world – both as competitors and as spectators.
Spectator or competitor it’s easy to get actively involved with the cycling in Hinterglemm. With over 400km of trails, you can explore the mountain at your leisure - whether that’s seeking the most challenging descent or pedalling at a gentle pace through the forests.
The scenery around Hinterglemm is as equally renowned for its beauty as it is for its cycling. The rolling hills of the Glemm Valley are dotted with rustic mountain huts, farms and flower filled meadows.
Inghams recommends:
The delightful, family run Hotel Sonnblick in Hinterglemm offers free bike hire and free packed lunches, so it is easy to explore the area by bike. Its unique location affords excellent views across the valley.
Jungfrau Region, Switzerland
Thanks to an excellent and efficient network of gondolas and trains you won’t require the fitness of a Tour de France athlete to reach incredible heights on your bike in the Jungfrau Region. The mountain scenery in this part of Switzerland is truly breath-taking, boasting iconic peaks such as the Mönch, Eiger and the Jungfrau.
Alongside the fabulous scenery, the Jungfrau Region is home to over 160km of mountain bike trails. We recommend taking the train up to Kleine Scheidegg for spectacular views over Grindelwald. From here you can cycle the wide track down to Wengen or the more challenging ridge to the Mannlichen gondola.
There are some great trails around the picturesque resort of Grindelwald, which also hosts the annual Eiger Bike Challenge, where participants race along an 88km trail overcoming an altitude difference of 3,900m - spectacular specator event!
Inghams recommends:
The Hotel Eiger in Grindelwald has an excellent location for exploring the mountains, just 5 minutes’ walk to the First gondola and 7 minutes’ from the train station. The hotel also has a spa with steam baths - perfect to recuperate and relax your legs after a hard day’s pedalling.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix is renowned among the cycling community for its challenging mountain bike trails. And it’s not surprising. With Mont Blanc in the background, this Alpine town has some of the most dramatic terrain in Europe. We’d recommend Chamonix to experienced cycling enthusiasts everywhere.
Many famous cycling races start or finish in Chamonix. Adrenaline junkies from across the world travel to Chamonix to compete on the wealth of trails, from steep road biking to cross-country mountain trails.
Of course, while all this challenging terrain will test your endurance, it also offers some of the most striking scenery in the Alps. The thrilling mountains that surround the valley are truly impressive. Chamonix will tempt you to unleash your inner adventurer.
Inghams recommends:
Our very own Hotel Sapinière in Chamonix is run by friendly Inghams staff. Your holiday includes breakfast, packed lunches, afternoon tea and dinner with free flowing wine throughout. It’s the perfect place to recuperate after tackling those challenging cycle routes.
