Tackling the ups and downs and taking the rough with the smooth are all part and parcel of a cycling vacation. On a cycling retreat, in addition to tackling some of the world’s toughest and most scenic trails, many offer morning and evening restorative yoga sessions ease your aching muscles and clear the mind to help you get the most from the epic trails. Whether you choose to tackle your own mini-Giro d'Italia, Vuelta a España, or Tour de France, these immersive cycling retreats will have you pedaling past majestic mountains, award-winning vineyards, and through verdant countryside as you improve your physical fitness and boost your mental well-being from the comfort of your saddle...
Here are 10 great cycling trips you won't want to miss this year.
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.
Bike & Yoga Retreat in Sicily
Experience a break in the quiet countryside of a rural area of Sicily. This Bike &Yoga Retreat In Sicily at a small family run Agriturismo, will give you the time your mind and body need to relax and revive. Enjoy five days in agriturismo. Lounge by the pool, enjoy stunning landscapes, excellent food, and fine wines.
Enjoy gorgeous rides and a little bit of zen with daily yoga sessions. E-bikes are also available for rent.
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.
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.
Cycling Tour of Yorkshire
The epic Cycling Tour of Yorkshire takes you coast-to-coast across northern England, across the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, before meandering through the Lake District’s verdant countryside and waterways. En route, you’ll cross the Ribblehead Viaduct, skirt around Lake Windermere, and refuel and refresh in country pubs and guest houses along the way.
The Cycing Tour of Yorkshire, in addition to cycling the rolling, green English hills, will allow you to immerse yourself in the British way of life: craft beers in English pubs, afternoon teas in quaint English tearooms, fish & chips by the North Sea, a traditional Sunday roast, and an endless supply of the best tea in the world.
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.
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.
Gravel Cycling Adventure in Uganda
Experience Uganda’s most unique and beautiful nature and wildlife by bicycle. Cycle past breathtaking lakes and ride through tropical rainforests full of monkeys. Visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and take on a thrilling cycling safari through one of Uganda’s most beautiful national parks to see lions, buffaloes, elephants and much more. Experience local culture and meet Uganda’s friendly locals on your trail while slaloming between magical crater lakes with a backdrop of the Rwenzoris mountain range.
This 9-day gravel adventure is rolling out in 2024 and you’re invited! Climb from the savannah to the jungle, boat & bike your way through the national park, stay in local lodges, guesthouses, and safari camps, and experience the joy, life, and vibrancy of Uganda and its people. This Uganda Cycling Tour should definitely be on everyone's bucket list.
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.
Our Final Thoughts...
If you’re itching to get back in the saddle and pedal your way to new experiences while recharging your mind and reinvigorating your body, a challenging cycling retreat could be just what the doctor ordered. The combination of cycling, yoga, and retreat-style luxury offers the perfect escape from your daily grind and allows you to experience new challenges with stunning scenery as an emboldening backdrop.
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