The EuroVelo cycling routes are a network of 17 long-distance cycling routes connecting most parts of the continent of Europe. As of 2023, approximately 45,000 km of the planned 90,000 km are in place. The routes are managed by the European Cyclists' Federation, who work with the countries the routes pass through to develop the routes.
Used by both cycle tourists and commuters, the routes are well used, and can be busy in the summer months.
Understand
[edit]- See also: Cycling in Europe, Tour cycling
While Europe has few border controls, bicycle infrastructure varies a lot between countries. The European Cyclists' Federation aims to implement a series of high quality cycle routes in all European nations.
The official website of the network has downloadable GPS tracks, but you can see them also on OpenCycleMap along with many other cycle routes in Europe.
Routes
[edit]There are 17 routes. The numbers indicate the general direction: odd-numbered routes run north-south, even-numbered routes run east-west. That's why the numbers reach 19, but there are only 17 routes.
North-South routes
[edit]- 1. Atlantic Coast Route (8,186 km): North Cape - Sagres
- 3. Pilgrims Route (5,122 km): Trondheim - Santiago de Compostela
- 7. Sun Route (7,409 km): North Cape - Malta
- 11. East Europe Route (5,984 km): North Cape - Athens
- 13. Iron Curtain Trail (10,400 km) Barents Sea – Black Sea
- 15. Rhine Route (1,320 km) Andermatt – Wijk bij Duurstede – Hook of Holland
- 17. Rhone Cycle Route (1,250 km) - Andermatt - Lausanne - Geneva - Lyon - Avignon - Montpellier - Marseille
- 19. Meuse Cycle Route (1,050 km) - Langres - Verdun - Charleville-Mezieres - Ardennes - Namur - Maas Country - Roermond - Den Bosch - Rhine-Meuse Delta - North Sea
West-East routes
[edit]- 6. Atlantic Ocean to Black Sea: (4,448 km): Nantes - Constanta. This route includes the Danube Cycleway.
- 8. Mediterranean Route: (5,888 km): Cádiz - Athens, plus Izmir Province and Cyprus
Circuits
[edit]- 10. Baltic Sea Cycle Route: (Hansa circuit - 7,980 km)
- 12. North Sea Cycle Route: (5,932 km)
Main points on the EuroVelo routes
[edit]- Legend: Green: North-South / Blue: West-East / Red: Circuits