Seven of the Best Summer Cycling Holidays

Here we feature seven of our tours, all of which offer great conditions for summer cycling. We've excluded destinations where temperatures regularly climb into the thirties, and, where routes do cross into warmer, more southerly locations, we've ensured there are plenty of places to cool off with a swim in a lake or a lido along the way.

Wherever you choose to do your pedalling, as ever, we'd urge you to book fast. The destinations below are popular during summer months so if you've got your eye on one, either enquire online or speak to our team on +44 (0)1273 224066.

Sandy beaches, tranquil, turquoise waters - not things you'd naturally associate with Germany. So you might be surprised to learn that its northern coast is lined with scenes just like the one below.

On our Lübeck to Stralsund Bike Tour, you'll ride between these idyllic coastal settings and hop between pretty seaside villages, all while enjoying the mild summer air of the Baltic Sea.

The mostly gentle cycle paths will also help to keep you from working up a sweat. Still, we think there's no reason not to reward your leisurely efforts by lounging in a publicly available deckchair with views of the sea at the day's end.

Freedom Trekkers say:

"Fantastic coastal cycle ride with interesting and beautiful towns and landscapes... The hotels were varied and high quality and the arrangements for moving the luggage worked seamlessly. We were almost all in our 70s and found the distances perfectly manageable... the paths were mostly uncrowded and almost always separate from the traffic... A real highlight was the beach chairs: 'orbs' which have to be seen to be believed." - Liz Meek

View tour: Lübeck to Stralsund Bike Tour

Take a scenic ferry journey between picturesque islands off the Swedish west coast on our Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour. On the route, you'll disembark to cycle remote and pristine coastal stretches and journey inland into peaceful, ancient forests.

And it's not just the natural scenery that provides the highlights. The wonderful city of Stockholm is blessed with incredible medieval facades and cobbled streets, and there are plenty of spots along the route where you can find beautifully preserved ancient churches.

Departure dates are limited to June, July and August due to Scandinavia’s short summer so these are really the best and only months to cycle in Scandinavia.

Freedom Trekkers say:

"This was our first holiday in Sweden, having been itching to go for some time, but never quite getting round to it. As an introduction to the country, this is a fantastic tour, and one of the best cycling holidays we've ever done. It's really well organised, and the Stockholm Archipelago is just an absolute joy to island hop through..." - Steve Watson

View tour: Stockholm Archipelago Bike Tour

Our Lake Constance Bike Tour is one of the easiest routes in our entire programme. Take a leisurely lap of Europe's largest freshwater lake along flat, car-free cycle paths, with crystal blue waters and alpine peaks providing a spectacular backdrop to your hours in the saddle.

Why does it make the list? As well as gentle paths making the cycling totally unarduous (absolutely ideal for the height of summer), it also offers plenty of opportunities to cool off with a swim. If you're ever feeling a little warm, simply park up your bike and wade into the lake, or keep an eye out for one of the many lidos dotted along the route.

It's not just the picturesque landscape and leisurely cycling that draws people to the banks of the lake. The waterside route is dotted with outstanding attractions including the medieval town of Stein am Rhein, the butterfly house on Mainau Island and the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen.

Freedom Trekkers say:

"I enjoyed the trip. The cycling routes were well-marked and indicated. I went alone and had no problem completing the routes. The accommodation was good as well. You definitely go for the scenery and I was glad I chose this route. There are various options for stops and option to take the trains too so you don't have to worry about completing the day, you'll get there. The route booklet is very well-made and detailed. It's a good momento to keep after the trip." - Yi Fan Seah

View tour: Lake Constance Bike Tour

A little further along the northern edge of the Alps lies the route of our Lakes of Southern Bavaria Bike Tour. This is perhaps the most stunningly picturesque tour on this list, with easy-to-moderate, well-connected cycle paths taking you between soaring peaks and glimmering blue lakes.

As you may have inferred from the name, this tour is another that offers plenty of opportunities to cool off with a paddle and a swim. The route south from Munich passes by three lakes, the largest of which is Starnberger See, which has earned the nickname 'the bathtub of Munich' among locals.

We'd highly recommend bookending your tour with an extra night in Munich. Bavaria's capital is home to stunning Gothic architecture, buzzing nightlife and some of the world's greatest beer gardens, which are best enjoyed during the summer months!

Freedom Trekkers say:

"We have traveled extensively around the world and this trip was in our top 5. The Germans sure are the experts in bike paths with hardly any paths being shared with cars. The paths meander form town to town, village to village through forest and agricultural fields mostly set with a backdrop of the magnificent Bavarian Alps. Exquisite! The old towns/villages were charming as it gets, keeping with the true tradition of the Bavarian architecture. Beautiful lakes and azure rivers were were another special part of our ride and hardly any other people until we arrived in Munich...The bikes were like new with great brakes and very comfortable. The trip overall was not demanding and actually very relaxing." - Benita Luke

View tour: Lakes of Southern Bavaria Bike Tour

Having been heavily invested in over the past few years, Poland's Krakow & Dunajec Cycle Path is rapidly gaining in popularity. However, if you are looking to cycle where the crowds are sparse, this quiet portion of the Polish countryside is still an excellent bet.

We recommend enjoying this lesser-cycled route before word of mouth brings more travellers here for their summer holidays. Along the way, you'll enjoy unspoiled landscapes, medieval towns, authentic villages and dramatic gorges.

One of the greatest highlights is cycling through the narrow Dunajec Gorge - you’ll pedal beneath limestone cliffs dripping with lush vegetation and even cross the border into Slovakia at one point.

Freedom Trekkers say:

"Probably one of our favourite cycle trips - we loved everything about it. Nearly all of it was on dedicated, well maintained cycle paths. Every day was filled with spectacular views and interesting sights, UNESCO wooden churches, wild flower filled meadows, rivers and lakes, mountains and forests, castles and pretty villages - it pretty much had everything we look for on a cycling holiday. Bikes and equipment were good and the hotels were stunning. Rooms with amazing views, excellent meals and some even had spas. Up there amongst the best we've ever stayed in." - Rita Stephens

View tour: Krakow & Dunajec Cycle Path

We just love our Austria bike tours, not least our Salzburg & 10 Lakes Bike Tour which takes you on a winding journey through the Alps via a total of ten gorgeous lakes.

We grade this tour as moderate, so there is a little more work to do to make your way over the undulating terrain - don't worry, not the alpine peaks themselves, just the foothills! However, there are so many places to swim along the way that you'll never be in want of places to cool off.

Aside from the stunning landscape of Austria, you'll get to enjoy Salzburg, a city of astounding Baroque spires and domes that is overlooked by the Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg mountains. And, if you're a Sound of Music fan, this is the tour for you! You'll spend a lovely evening in the romantic town of Mondsee where Maria married Captain von Trapp in the film.

Freedom Trekkers say:

"This was a great bike tour! The views and bike routes are amazing, Freedom Treks did a great job supporting and all the logistics/bikes/hotels/moving were seamless. Everything was on time and no surprises, the hotels were very accommodating (even if we showed up a little early), and our luggage just magically moved with us. My wife was not feeling well one day and the local support team was there to pick her up and transport her to the next hotel so she could recover, we were very appreciative of the help." - DuWayne Morse

View tour: Salzburg & 10 Lakes Bike Tour

This list wouldn't be complete without a tour along the ever-popular Danube. Our Danube - Passau to Vienna Bike Tour follows green riverbanks and traffic-free cycle paths from Germany to Austria. 

This Hotel & Bike tour is an ideal way to spend a summer holiday. The cycle paths along the Danube are flat and extremely easy to navigate, meaning you should never be too puffed out. you’ll experience some of the Danube’s most beautiful scenery, including the wooded slopes of the spectacular Great Loop. As you cycle downstream, you’ll pass riverside cities and traditional towns embedded in the Alpine foothills.

Halfway highlights include the storybook spires of Burg Clam Castle and the pristine white walls of Greinburg Castle, with both offering a magical glimpse into Austria’s history. Towards the end of the route, the majestic palaces of Wachau have earned the area World Heritage status - and what better way to conclude this tour than by cycling into the musical city of Vienna and treating yourself to a decadent Viennese coffee paired with a fresh, delicious pastry?

Freedom Trekkers say:

"I experienced a Freedom Treks holiday for the first time when myself and four friends did the Passau to Vienna bike tour - we had absolutely the best time! We received excellent customer service from start to finish, particularly as we'd put together our ideal itinerary and Saul did his very best to accommodate all our requests. The tour organisation was fantastic, with such detailed information provided in our 'tour guide' for the route and each place we were staying at along the way. The standard of accommodation throughout the tour was very good and the scenery along this part of the Danube was stunning. It also helped that we had amazing weather. We had a brilliant holiday, would thoroughly recommend Freedom Treks to anyone considering a cycling holiday." - Jessica Heavey

View tour: Danube - Passau to Vienna Bike Tour

As we mentioned at the outset, all of these tours are very popular and do sell out quickly. Their temperate climates and leisurely cycle paths draw many people during the summer months so we'd recommend booking as soon as possible so you don't miss out.

If you've found a tour you'd like to do then visit the tour pages to view departure dates and to book. Or if you're still undecided and would still like some more information, enquire online or contact our team on +44 (0)1273 224066.

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