From across Europe to the U.S, discover 5 exceptional rides to tackle this long Easter weekend.
Spring has officially arrived and the Easter weekend is the perfect opportunity to get back to outdoors riding and discover some great destinations.
The Haute Route team have recommended their favourite rides from across the globe - from California to the Canton of Bern! Scroll for inspiration...
ALPINE DAM LOOP (USA)
92.7km | 1,829m+
5h30 approx.
Location: Larkspur, California
A magical trail through the forests, the Alpine Dam Loop takes you through several protected parks and beautiful alpine streams which lead you to the highest peaks of the Marin Hills, California's coastal mountain range. Take advantage of the light traffic and untamed landscapes to enjoy the climbs and admire the breath-taking mountains, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific.
ASSYNT ACHILTIBUIE CIRCUIT (U.K.)
121.8km | 2,072m+
5h approx.
Location: Achiltibuie, Scotland
Starting from the town of Achiltibuie, this loop will take you through the rugged Scottish landscapes, where beautiful, untouched ascents come in abundance. Take a moment to discover the preserved wild nature located in the North of the island and the remaining ruins of the Ardvreck Castle, dating back to 1490. Our top tip for cycling in Scotland - the month of April remains quite cool (on average 8°C), so don't forget to take a few extra layers on your ride!
PASSAU TO LINZ (GERMANY-AUSTRIA)
96.4km | 1,098m+
6 hours approx.
Location: Bavaria
If you’re looking for a challenging ride across a few days, this route from Germany into Austria is not for the faint hearted! Spanning over 95km, the point-to-point trail begins in Passau, Bavaria and isa popular trail for mountain and road cyclists. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the way to fuel up along with numerous overnight accommodations and campgrounds. Once you arrive in Linz, Austria we recommend heading up to the Pöstlingberg to capture a magnificent view over the city.
OLTSCHIBACHFALL - GROSSE SCHEIDEGG CIRCUIT (SWITZERLAND)
82.2km | 1,600m+
4h40 approx.
Location: Interlaken, Canton of Bern
Arguably one of the most scenic cycling passes in the Alps, the Grosse Scheidegg passes directly beneath alpine walls and glaciers at an impressive height of 1700 meters. Take a moment to admire the picture postcard views from the top of the famous Eiger Nordwand – which is on accessible via bike or foot. Along the way, you can admire the charming Swiss village of Brienz and its beautiful turquoise lake, where the only sounds you’ll encounter are the occasion cowbells!
Photo credit: https://creativecommons.org
LOOP 6: GRANDE TRAVERSÉE DES LACS (FRANCE)
134km | 1,950m+
6h approx.
Location: Clairvaux-Les-Lacs, Jura
Starting from the beautiful resort of Clairvaux-Les-Lacs, get ready to discover a multitude of iconic lakes from the Jura Mountain range. A route that winds between villages, forests, and historic sites from the stone age, this is a route full of surprises. April is the perfect time to take on this course, when temperatures are optimal, and the spring sunshine brings out the turquoise colours of the Vouglans and Chalain lakes.
