Best Family Cycling Routes in the World
If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to have a family adventure and see the world, then consider cycling. It’s an activity that’s great for the whole family, it’s not too fast nor too slow, it’s cheap and good for fitness and health, so it’s not a surprise more and more people choose bikes to travel with. If you want to join the trend, here’s where you can start from.
Otago Central Rail Trail, New Zealand
This popular 150-kilometre trail will take you through right back in time through the once-crowded goldfields of Otago, New Zealand. Central Rail Trail connects Clyde and Middlemarch while passing through many valleys and little hills. This trail is perfect for all levels of cyclists because it never gets steep, but it still offers amazing views and beautiful nature. Even if this is a short ride, you can still stretch it, thanks to the abundance of pubs and B&Bs you’ll want to check out.
Confederation Trail, Canada
This island is just perfect for cyclists, so much that a long time ago, all motor vehicles were even banned from the island. Prince Edward Island is flat, rich in produce and food and blessed with beautiful nature such as its red cliffs around Basin Head and sand dunes in PEI National Park. So, if you don’t have enough time to check out all 470 kilometres of the trail, make sure to check out those beautiful cliffs and dunes. PEI also has some high-quality food you taste, so don’t miss out.
San Juan Island, USA/Canada
Right between Vancouver and Seattle is San Juan Island, called by many “cycling perfection”. These islands are perfect for families of all kinds because each island can be toured in a day, the weather is nice, it’s relatively flat, and there are ample ferry connections between each island. This archipelago is contained from over 100 islands, but most cyclists choose San Jan, Orcas or Lopez.
Lopez is the tamest of the three, while Orcas is perfect for more seasoned cyclists (but it offers amazing views). If you still choose Orcas, make sure to keep both eyes open for orcas as you paddle along the coast. Your kids are going to love those beautiful predators. Also, accommodation on the islands is plentiful, so you can stay a couple of days and enjoy your time together.
Isle of Wight, England
The Isle of Wight is known as one of the most bike-friendly places in Britain and is also included in Lonely Planet’s 10 best cycling destinations. It has many scenic towns, narrow lanes, and white cliffs, and you can see all that while paddling a route that’s barely over 100 km long. It makes a perfect 2-day journey for biker families.
Murray to the Mountains, Victoria, Australia
This gentle trail of only 83 km will give you a great insight into Victoria’s High Country. It can be cycled in a day, but you better stretch it out for at least two, because there’s so much to see and taste there. The route passes many cellars, hotels, and restaurants you shouldn’t miss. If you’re a family that has very little or no cycling experience, then be free to start with this trail. You’re not going to need much, just some solid bikes, helmets and some Shimano mtb shoes, and soon you’ll be ready for some more challenging adventures.
Arusha Trail, Tanzania
If you want to experience a true adventure and travel a bit further from home, then why not visit Africa for a cool safari trip. When you get bored of sitting in a jeep, you can take a bike ride through the lush landscape of Arusha just in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Saying that the views are beautiful is an understatement, and you can see many interesting villages, coffee plantations, cow markets and chat with friendly locals. You and your kids will remember this for the rest of your lives.
Hanoi, Vietnam
Vietnam is widely famous for being a cycling country. Its also a stunningly beautiful country with many different cycling routes you can take to enjoy a perfect, relaxing vacation while taking in all the natural splendors along the way. Whether its urban centers like Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, or the beautiful outlands and the Mekong Delta, Vietnam will surely leave a great impression on almost everyone.
As you can see, you don’t have to be a pro cyclist to have a paddling adventure with your family. Take as many stops as you need to get rest, refresh with some local drinks and food, and take in all the beautiful scenery our planet has to offer. You’ll be itching to have another adventure as soon as you get home.
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