13 Best Places To Go Mountain Biking In Europe

Take a wild ride through the forest in Tuscany, Italy. Start at the medieval Ristonchi Castle at 601m high and ride down through charming small villages and winding forest roads with incredible views of the valley below. This mid-range difficulty trail will bring you back up the steep and rocky trek to the castle where a well balanced meal with lean protein will be ready for you. The castle now runs as a bed and breakfast and caters to adventure travellers so you can stay the night to rest your legs or longer and explore the other amazing trails to Vallombrosa Abbey and more.

Contributors: Stefanie Grassley from Ristonchi

Who would've thought that merely 1 hour flight away from the big capitals of Europe, one can find the unexplored wilderness, with great mountain biking place? Yes, sure Ukraine is not as hip yet, as the major destinations on the continent. However, that's what makes it attractive for adventurous traveler. 

Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine have plenty of marked and unmarked trails, with challenges suitable for all types of mountain biking fans. Pylypets Mountain Bike park has four organized mountain biking trail, three of which are used for professional MTB competitions. It is also easily accessible by car from Lviv (large city with an airport connections to Germany, Poland, and Italy). 

Chornogora mountain range, on another hand, is located a bit farther 3 hours drive from Lviv. To cover up for the distance, it boasts multiple trails over the highest mountain peaks of Ukraine, including Goverla Mt (2061 m). All in all, Ukrainian Carpathians offer plenty of adventure, while keeping the large sway of tourists still at bay. Add to it extremely low prices, good locally grown food, quality accommmodation, and you are in for a high-action good-value weekend adventure trip.

Contributors: Oksana Arkhypchuk from Active Ukraine

Bike Republic Solden in Tirol Austria gives you high adrenaline mountain biking amongst stunning alpine beauty.

Bike Republic was opened in 2015 and has over 20 natural trails and three shaped lines consisting of steep curves, wallrides, scooters and also spirals. The more difficult trails even have jumps.

Labelled like ski runs, the trails range from blue to black, the blue being the easy “family” trail.

Beginners can go through training sessions with Ride On Bike School. There are cute Austrian mountain huts you can stop in at for lunch along the ride.

Contributors: Caroline Makepeace from Y Travel Blog

These cliff side trails are filled with breathtaking views. The Northern Italian trails work around spectacular near-vertical drops and majestic lakes.

Contributor: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics

One of the best places I have  been mountain biking was in Slovenia. You can ride through the Slovenia Alps and choose trails from easy cross country to extreme downhill within a day. On top of that they have some great parks and unique trails that include riding through an abandoned mine shaft underground. If you are looking for an adventure or just some gorgeous scenic rides you can find both in Slovenia.

Contributors: Jeffrey Walsh from Nomo FOMO

One main highlight for advanced mountain bikers is to take the famous high alpine road across the nature reserve Hohetauern. It's a tougher road for serious mountain bikers, but it's so well worth it! The views are stunning and along the way you can take stops and maybe even stay overnight in one of the famous alp houses.

Contributors: Helene DSouza from Masala Herb

The agricultural and rural nature of the Alentejo region of Portugal contribute to a slower, more traditional pace of life, and one of the best ways to experience it is by bike. You might pedal across its beautiful plains from the Atlantic coast to the mountains that sit on the eastern border with Spain. On a bicycle, you might share the Alentejo road with a farmer and his ox cart, or with women walking in their traditional black dresses not far from their whitewashed farm houses.

Contributors: Jayme Simoes from Louis Karno

This beautiful part of the world is full of wonders. These wonders include jagged mountains waterfalls, Lava Fields, desserts, and gouges. What makes it all worth doing is the hot springs where you can recover after an intense ride.

If you're riding in the highlands it's more than likely going to be during summertime, in spite of that we'd strongly recommend taking some time over tyre choice for a trip here, especially making sure you have something that can take you up as well as down - Find out more on RadNut.

Contributor: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics

This train runs parallel to the Oslo-Bergen Railway and is home to some of the most stunning hills. The peaceful rocky mountains will make you feel like never going home again.

Contributor: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics

For families wanting to do a relaxed mountain bike outing, I suggest to check out the Kitzbühel area. Kitzbühel is a well known small city in the alps. It's a jet-setters holiday destination. The towns in the area are picturesque with plenty of special cycling routes across fields and forests. So, you can pick your route and difficulty level and perhaps enjoy a relaxed picnic at the Black Lake in Kitzbühel.

Contributors: Helene DSouza from Masala Herb

Bikers can enjoy the amazing nature and even enjoy the beauties of one of the most magnificent volcanos in Europe.

Contributors: Eleni Koi from Love with the Med

Unique natural beauty with rivers, lakes, picture perfect villages, ancient stone bridges, and delicious food. An area ideal for the lovers of exploring undiscovered destinations.

Contributors: Eleni Koi from Love with the Med

Arosa, one of Switzerland’s hidden gems. With over 300 miles of trails along the majestic Graubünden Mountains, there’s something for cyclists of all levels to enjoy. Travelers can take in the area's stunning panoramic views on the Heidi & Gigi Trail or participate in one of the Tschuggen Grand Hotel biking experiences.

A luxury resort set in the spectacular alpine region, the Tschuggen Grand provides unlimited access to the area’s trails, the chance to Mountain Bike with a Pro, and more.

Contributors: Elizabeth Hatry from Imagine Global Communications