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London is a city of spin addicts – evidenced by the exponential rise of studios like Psycle, SoulCycle and Boom Cycle – but what about cycling in the great outdoors?

One of the best ways to explore Europe is by bike. Not only will you give your body a challenge but you’ll also be able to see stunning parts of Europe that even trains and cars can’t reach.

From Germany’s Romantic Road to Cornwall’s Coastal Way and Sweden’s first national tourist cycle route, below are some of the most stunning cycle paths in Europe.

Danube Cycle Path, various countries

Runs: from the Danube’s source to the Black Sea – through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Romania.

Length: 2,896 km

Follow Europe’s most famous river from the source of the Danube in Germany to the Black Sea in Romania. Along the way, stop to explore the Austrian, Slovakian and Hungarian countryside before heading further east through Croatia, Serbia and Romania – where the path isn’t as well formed. For mild to hot temperatures be sure to plan your trip for the summer months to avoid the chill of European winters.

danube-cycle-path.com/

Via Francigena, Italy

Runs: from the Swiss Border to Rome.

Length: 1,700 km

Part of the traditional pilgrimage route that runs from Canterbury in the UK to Rome, Italy, the best way to cycle Via Francigena is by starting at the Colle di Gran San Bernardo at the Swiss border before descending into the Italian countryside, passing along dirt roads of the Tuscan Hills, along the Dora River and ultimately to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. If pressed for time, you can choose one of the 23 stages to complete, each promises stunning views away from busy roads.

viefrancigene.org/

The Cornish Way, England

Runs: from Land’s End to Bude.

Length: 288 km

Part of the National Cycle Network, discover the best of the Cornish Coast along The Cornish Way. Starting at Land’s End on the western tip of Cornwall, make your way up to Bude on the Devon border, passing through coastal villages of Penzance, Hayle and Mevagissey. The majority of the route is on quiet lanes so the experienced cyclist should be able to complete the route in two days while the moderately experience should plan for four days – but tack on extra time if you can to make the most of the coast.

cycle.travel/

Kattegattleden, Sweden

Runs: from Helsingborg to Gothenburg.

Length: 395 km

Sweden’s first national tourist cycle route follows the Scandinavian nation’s west coast running through picturesque fishing villages and cosy cities. Well sign-posted, the route is split into eight stages offering a number of hotels and restaurants to stop off at en route. To avoid the freezing Swedish winter, be sure to visit during the summer months to make the most of the beaches you’ll find along the way.

kattegattleden.se/

Romantic Road, Germany

Runs: from Würzburg to Füssen.

Length: 500 km

With historic old towns, medieval cities and picturesque Bavarian villages, this route lives up to its name. The route is relatively flat which makes it a great challenge for less experienced cyclists. The Tauber, Sulzach, Wörnitz and Lech river valleys are stand-outs of the Romantic Road as is the destination, Füssen, a charming village close to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. This also puts you close to the Austrian border if you want to continue your European journey.

romantischestrasse.de/

Baltic Sea Cycle Route

Runs: through Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Length: 9,214 km

Not for the faint hearted, this 9,000-kilometre route will take you around the circumference of the Baltic Sea – through a total of nine countries. Best attempted in sections and during the summer months to avoid the icy northern winters, you’ll pass by stunning beaches, cliffs, woodlands and fishing villages along with cultural hotspots like Saint Petersburg, Tallinn and Helsinki. This year, the route has ‘grown’ by 105 kilometres as Bornholm, a small Danish island, has been added to the itinerary.

eurovelo.com/

Ronde van Nederland, the Netherlands

Runs: from the North Sea coast to Achterhoek.

Length: 1,300 km

Translated as ‘tour of the Netherlands’, this combines several of the country’s long-distance cycle networks (LF) to complete the ‘ultimate’ Dutch cycle route. It will take you through Dutch villages, towns, dunes, woodlands and past rivers and hills too. While it’s probably best to do the route in sections, once you’ve completed the route you will receive a certificate from the Dutch organisation for recreational cycling – all you need to do is take a picture of yourself at the six specifically-marked areas along the way.

hollandcyclingroutes.com/

Baltic-Adriatic route, various countries

Runs: through Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Croatia.

Length: 2,270 km

As the name suggests, this route stretches from the Baltic to the Adriatic Seas, cycling through some of Europe’s most stunning nations. Connecting UNESCO heritage sites with beautiful medieval towns and idyllic landscapes, you’ll start in Poland’s Gdansk, cycling along the Baltic coast through the Polish and Czech countryside, on through Austria’s Vienna and Slovenia’s Ljubljana before ending in Croatia’s beachy Pula region.

eurovelo.com/