Want to try your hand at a cycling vacation this year? Well, you are in luck because there are some epic trails and rides taking place in just about every corner of the globe. So, whether you are looking to explore Sienna, the beauty of Argentina or the epic Atlas Mountains, there are a wide range of immersive cycling retreats that will have you pedaling through some of the most beautiful backdrops you can imagine.
Here are 10 great cycling trips you won't want to miss this year.
Fire and Ice Gravel Cycling Adventure in Iceland
The Epic Iceland Cycling Journey starts in Iceland’s capital, and home to two thirds of the small local population, Reykjavik. Our 600 km loop ride takes us through a stunning variety of landscapes – from West Iceland, across the highlands, past glaciers and over lava fields. This is a country shaped by fire & ice – a millennium of volcanic activity and the slow-moving mighty glaciers have carved out the majestic landscapes of Iceland. A gravel bike is the perfect way to experience the landscape.
Stay in cozy accommodations en route and learn why Iceland is renowned as a wellness destination. Bathe in hot springs, jump in ice cold pools. Experience the strangeness of life under the Midnight Sun – the sun never sets in Iceland during the summer. Enjoy support from local guides and a professional support team on our full-board tour.
Dates: July 21 to July 28, 2025
Gravel Biking: The Sierra Nevada Gravel Tour and Farmhouse-Based Gravel Holidays
Enjoy this expertly-guided, high altitude, point-to-point gravel tour through the Sierra Nevada mountains. Ride up endless gravel roads, with views of the high plains, snowy peaks and the Mediterranean sea. Explore the north and south-facing slopes of this little-known range, where you are more likely to see a flock of vultures than other riders. Stay in hidden white villages, where time stands still. Enjoy local wines beneath the stars in deep, rural darkness. And conquer the jewel in the crown--- the other-worldly Veleta Pass, at 3269 meters above sea level.
You'll ride a total of 216 kilometers and climb 6130 meters. Daily distances are not that big but expect a lot of climbing and riding at high altitude on this epic Sierra Gravel Riding Tour.
Dates: Multiple Departures
Coed Cycling Retreat in Tuscany, Italy
Cycle through the quiet back roads through the Tuscan wine country, visit magnificent medieval villages, discover the best gelato and cappuccino stops, and hike along the shimmering Mediterranean Sea.
You’ll also enjoy the mindfulness of daily poetry and yoga, savor the freshest local cuisine, learn to prepare authentic dishes from local cooks, taste the finest wines, olive oils, and cheeses together with the families that produce them, and experience true Tuscan hospitality and local color in all aspects of this unique, Co Ed Tuscan retreat. All ability levels welcome.
Dates: Sept 14 to Sept 21, 2025
Trans-Pyrenees Cycling Challenge in France
Summit 13 Pyrenean Cols, including the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Aspin, and Peyresourde. Prepare for stunning scenery, hard climbs, spectacular descents and breathtaking days in the saddle. Your accompanying team will be there to support you every pedal stroke of the way.
Stay in a different location each night as you make your way across the Pyrenees (Girona, Pobla La Lillet, Sort, Bagnères du Luchon, Saint Savin, St Jean Pied du Port and finally San Sebastian). All hotels and guesthouses have been hand selected to provide the most comfortable experience, each with their own unique style and features and all with high-quality facilities and friendly staff.
Dates: Multiple Departures
Gravel Cycling Holiday Retreat in Patagonia, Argentina
Immerse yourself in epic landscapes, embrace the camaraderie of the road and relax with warm hospitality on this Gravel Cycling Tour in Chile & Argentina.
Geared for advanced riders, this trip is designed for people who ride regularly and want back-to-back challenging days of riding. Rides are typically over 100 km with over 1,000 m of climbing--however e-bikes are also available.
Visit the great lakes of Patagonia, cycle across the border from Argentina and Chile and sleep in the heart of the rainforest on this epic cycling adventure.
Dates: Multiple Departures
Cycling Tour in Slovenia
Taste local wines & dine at a Michelin star restaurant. Climb into the Julian Alps and finish in the pretty mountain village of Bovec.
The Cycling Tour in Slovenia showcases some of the best roads and historical insights into this tiny but scenic country. It’s for riders wanting to escape the crowds, immerse themselves in nature, and enjoy warm hospitality.
Tailored for intermediate riders, this tour is specifically designed for people who are looking to enjoy more challenging rides. E-bikes are available on all of tours and average daily rides are up to 80 km with up to 1,000 m of climbing. Don't miss this one.
Dates: Multiple summer 2025 departures
Morocco Atlas Mountains Tour
Five amazing days in the saddle among Morocco’s Atlas Mountains will reveal some of North Africa’s stunning topography. Leaving the delights of Marrakesh, the loop will take you past Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa, and through the Onila Valley before returning to the comfort of the Diwane Hotel & Spa in Marrakesh.
The Morocco Atlas Mountain Tour also immerses you in traditional Moroccan culture, with stays along the way in Berber family homes and guest houses, and allows you to emulate past spice traders by camping beneath the myriad stars in the Atlas range. And with aromatic slow-cooked tagines, fresh juices, and bottomless pots of mint tea to keep you energized, you may just fall in love with this part of the world.
Dates: Multiple April and October Departures
Trans-Dolomites Cycling Challenge
This challenging seven-day tour through the Italian Alps traverses the Dolomite range in a series of long and varied climbs followed by sweeping, swift descents. The Dolomites, also known as the "Pale Mountains," are located in north-eastern Italy, 150 kilometers north of Venice, and their jagged, grey outlines dominate the landscape as you tackle the infamous Sella Ronda passes.
The Trans-Dolomites Cycling Challenge starts in Ravascletto before snaking through the mountain passes and finishing 300 kilometers later in Bormio. With plenty of long climbs that include sections of the Giro d'Italia’s race routes, this challenge is best for those with good levels of fitness and competency in the saddle.
Cycling & Cooking in Tuscany
What better way to refuel after an arduous day in the saddle than a hearty meal of fresh pasta and vegetables, washed down with a fine Tuscan wine? Staying in a private country house, Palazzi del Papa, each day will involve rides out into the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val d'Orcia, discovering superlative wineries, the ancient Roman spa of Bagno Vignoni, and the Via Francigena.
With authentic Italian cooking classes along the way, not only will the Cycling And Cooking in Tuscany Tour improve your fitness and mental health, but you’ll also learn to prepare your own delicious post-ride meals, made from locally sourced fresh ingredients from Tuscan farms.
Dates: Multiple 2025 Departures
Classic Climbs of Málaga
The city of Málaga sits at the foot of the Montes de Málaga, a mountain range in southern Spain whose steep climbs often feature in Spain’s biggest cycle races. With accommodation in the heart of the city, a short walk from Málaga Cathedral and the Picasso Museum, you not only have the ideal base from which to tackle the classic climbs but also to explore the coastal city in the evenings.
The Classic Climbs of Málaga tackles one of the region’s best and trickiest climbs each day, including El Puerto del Leon, El Puerto del Sol, and a stunning ride up the narrow El Chorro gorge. With alternating views of the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea along the way and an ideal climate for long rides, the tour is ideal for intermediate riders looking to increase their leg power in stunning surroundings.
Dates: Multiple Departures
Our Final Thoughts...
If you’re looking to ride your way to new experiences while recharging your mind and reinvigorating your body, these cycling trips and riding holidays could be just what the doctor ordered.
Take the first step to discover some of the world’s most beautiful yet challenging cycling regions, and get in touch to learn more about these exciting and exclusive cycling retreats around the world. And if you are looking for a list of what to pack for your next bikepacking adventure-we've got just the ticket.If you want to map out the routes you will be taking-you can do that using this gravelmap. And if you are new to gravel-be sure to check out everything you need to know to master gravel.
For more exciting rides, check out more trips at activretreats.com