In a couple of weeks, I am lucky enough to be starting this tour, but I’m undecided on certain aspects of the route. I come here seeking voices of wisdom and experience for advice on which variation might be the most enjoyable.
I have a friend in Milan that I absolutely want to visit en route, so thats the first major destination. But how to get there?
Please note that the lines are vague indications of a suggested route, and not precise at all.
**Option 1, Green**: South through France, via Paris. Cut across the alps somewhere between Lyon and Marseille. Benefits of this route are that I have some distant family I’d be able to crash with intermittently throughout France.
**Option 2, Blue**: Follow Eurovelo 5, and traverse the alps north-south over Switzerland.
The next ‘must-hit’ destination is Southwest Bulgaria, where I also have some friends I’d like to visit. To get there, I also have a few options:
**Option 1, Green**: I could cycle south through Italy and get a ferry to Albania from Bari.
**Option 2, Red**: Follow the Adriatic coastline down through Croatia, and cut across Macedonia.
**Option 3. Orange**: Cycle East through northern Croatia, then head south through Serbia. This would allow me more time out of Schengen.
That last point is the main consideration for timing here. I have only 90 days to spend in Schengen, but outside of that I’m quite flexible.
Please do offer your thoughts!
fmb320 on
Enter the Alps in the west and travel along them then plop down by one of the lakes towards Milan. You’d be crazy to miss out on it. It will be by far the most incredible part of your trip. Do some passes
Loeibaer on
I would take the blue one to begin but then dont go through Switzerland, but go more north via Munich to Austria. And then take the Grossglockner Mountain Pass to cross the Alps. From there, go to Slovenia en and than follow the red route. The Balkans are amazing. I would also choose Bosnia and the Albanian Mountains instead of the coast: very hot and very dangerous traffic
Cycle-Tourist on
None of these look ideal to me as planned..
I would suggest taking the blue route to near Switzerland then head east to Austria, going down through Slovenia. The Alps are stunning and not worth missing out on – if you don’t want to do too many big climbs you can take the Alpe Adria trail, starting from Germany which is the easiest pass on a bike across the Alps.
Northern Italy on the plains is known for being bad for cyclists – the roads are busy and polluted and it iz the industrial heartlands of Italy so amongst the ugliest parts of the country.
The Balkan coastline is also absolutely rammed with cars and not the best cycle. The best options are usually heading inland like your other suggestion or travelling along islands in Croatia and then heading inland around Mostar.
Illustrious-Exit290 on
Italy for sure. Great food.
bikeroaming on
My recommendation would be based on few questions:
1. How experienced in touring are you?
2. Would you prefer an easier and simpler route (flat, paved, through more populated area), or more difficult and wilder one (mountains, more remote)?
3. Are you strong or do you want to avoid climbing if you can?
4. What kind of bike and tires are you riding: ok with gravel and/or rough surface?
If you’re in Croatia still in June, you’ll avoid the really too busy roads in July/August, but still the main coastal road will be busy and hot. Probably the worst would be to just follow the coast, with no islands or no inland parts.
dLimit1763 on
Green,red,green
Awoolgow on
Are you really keen on seeing Serbia? Red is way more beautiful I’ve heard, also interior of Italy apparently doesn’t have good infrastructure for cyclists
LePetitToast on
Via Francigena in Italy is incredible ! Strong recommend
9 Comments
Hey y’all.
In a couple of weeks, I am lucky enough to be starting this tour, but I’m undecided on certain aspects of the route. I come here seeking voices of wisdom and experience for advice on which variation might be the most enjoyable.
I have a friend in Milan that I absolutely want to visit en route, so thats the first major destination. But how to get there?
Please note that the lines are vague indications of a suggested route, and not precise at all.
**Option 1, Green**: South through France, via Paris. Cut across the alps somewhere between Lyon and Marseille. Benefits of this route are that I have some distant family I’d be able to crash with intermittently throughout France.
**Option 2, Blue**: Follow Eurovelo 5, and traverse the alps north-south over Switzerland.
The next ‘must-hit’ destination is Southwest Bulgaria, where I also have some friends I’d like to visit. To get there, I also have a few options:
**Option 1, Green**: I could cycle south through Italy and get a ferry to Albania from Bari.
**Option 2, Red**: Follow the Adriatic coastline down through Croatia, and cut across Macedonia.
**Option 3. Orange**: Cycle East through northern Croatia, then head south through Serbia. This would allow me more time out of Schengen.
That last point is the main consideration for timing here. I have only 90 days to spend in Schengen, but outside of that I’m quite flexible.
Please do offer your thoughts!
Enter the Alps in the west and travel along them then plop down by one of the lakes towards Milan. You’d be crazy to miss out on it. It will be by far the most incredible part of your trip. Do some passes
I would take the blue one to begin but then dont go through Switzerland, but go more north via Munich to Austria. And then take the Grossglockner Mountain Pass to cross the Alps. From there, go to Slovenia en and than follow the red route. The Balkans are amazing. I would also choose Bosnia and the Albanian Mountains instead of the coast: very hot and very dangerous traffic
None of these look ideal to me as planned..
I would suggest taking the blue route to near Switzerland then head east to Austria, going down through Slovenia. The Alps are stunning and not worth missing out on – if you don’t want to do too many big climbs you can take the Alpe Adria trail, starting from Germany which is the easiest pass on a bike across the Alps.
Northern Italy on the plains is known for being bad for cyclists – the roads are busy and polluted and it iz the industrial heartlands of Italy so amongst the ugliest parts of the country.
The Balkan coastline is also absolutely rammed with cars and not the best cycle. The best options are usually heading inland like your other suggestion or travelling along islands in Croatia and then heading inland around Mostar.
Italy for sure. Great food.
My recommendation would be based on few questions:
1. How experienced in touring are you?
2. Would you prefer an easier and simpler route (flat, paved, through more populated area), or more difficult and wilder one (mountains, more remote)?
3. Are you strong or do you want to avoid climbing if you can?
4. What kind of bike and tires are you riding: ok with gravel and/or rough surface?
If you’re in Croatia still in June, you’ll avoid the really too busy roads in July/August, but still the main coastal road will be busy and hot. Probably the worst would be to just follow the coast, with no islands or no inland parts.
Green,red,green
Are you really keen on seeing Serbia? Red is way more beautiful I’ve heard, also interior of Italy apparently doesn’t have good infrastructure for cyclists
Via Francigena in Italy is incredible ! Strong recommend