Cycling Central Lapland Gravel Loop in Finland

Bikepacking in Europe: 10 bike adventures with some gravel [2026]

Gravel is often associated with demanding off-road riding and remote wilderness adventures. In reality, many of Europe's best cycling routes include at least some unpaved sections, often without requiring any special skills or equipment. Forest roads, riverside tracks and former railway lines can add variety, tranquillity and access to beautiful landscapes that are rarely reached by car. For many cycle travellers, gravel is simply another surface encountered along the way. It is often part of enjoyable and accessible long-distance cycling.

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Cycling in Lapland, northern Finland — Central Lapland Gravel Loop in Finland

The routes in this collection range from the Altmühl Valley Cycle Route in Franconia to the remote Central Lapland Gravel Loop in Finland. Some feature only occasional gravel sections, while others spend much more time away from asphalt. Even highly rated routes such as the Drava Cycle Route include long stretches of good-quality gravel that are enjoyed by thousands of touring cyclists every year. What these routes have in common is a balance between adventure, beautiful scenery and comfortable bike travel.

The best cycle routes with gravel sections we've ridden:

Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route (Alpe-Adria Radweg) - Austria, Italy
Lakes Route (Seen-Route) - Switzerland
Loire by Bike (La Loire à Vélo) - Loire Valley, France
Drava Cycle Route (Drauradweg) - Carinthia, Austria
Altmühl Valley Cycle Route (Altmühltal-Radweg) - Franconia, Germany
Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route (Wokół Zalewu Szczecińskiego) - Poland, Germany
Carinthian Lake Loop (Kärnten Seen-Schleife) - Carinthia, Austria
EuroVelo 10 - Pomorskie, Poland
Central Lapland Gravel Loop - Lapland, Finland
EuroVelo 10 - Courland, Latvia

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All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.

Gravel section through the vineyards — Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route in Italy

Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route (Alpe-Adria Radweg) - Austria, Italy

Cyclists often remember the Alpe Adria Cycle Route for its dramatic Alpine scenery, but gravel also appears regularly along the way. Some of the first unpaved sections can be found south of Salzburg, where the route follows rivers and former railway corridors through mountain valleys. Additional gravel stretches occur in the Drava Valley in Carinthia, often on pleasant traffic-free riverside paths. Further south, on the Venetian Plain approaching the Adriatic coast, short gravel sections continue to appear between long stretches of quiet asphalt roads and cycle paths.

More: Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route in Austria and Italy

Gravel section of the Lakes Route — Lakes Route in Switzerland

Lakes Route (Seen-Route) - Switzerland

The Lakes Route crosses Switzerland from east to west, linking some of the country's most beautiful lakes with a surprisingly varied landscape of mountains, vineyards and historic towns. Most of the route follows paved cycle paths and quiet local roads, making it one of Switzerland's more accessible long-distance rides. Gravel appears only occasionally, usually on lakeside paths, riverside sections and short stretches through natural areas. These unpaved interludes are rarely long, but they add a pleasant change of rhythm to a route otherwise dominated by asphalt.

More: Lakes Route in Switzerland

The Loire cycle route near Savonnières — Loire by Bike in France

Loire by Bike (La Loire à Vélo) - Loire Valley, France

The Loire à Vélo is one of Europe's best-known cycling routes, following the Loire River through a landscape of castles, vineyards and historic towns. Although many sections run on asphalt cycle paths and quiet local roads, gravel is a frequent part of the route. Cyclists regularly ride on compact riverside tracks, flood embankments and former towpaths, sometimes for many kilometres at a time. These unpaved sections are usually smooth and well maintained, making them accessible for touring bikes, gravel bikes and bikepacking setups.

More: Loire by Bike in France

Gravel section of the route in Carinthia — Drava Cycle Route in Austria

Drava Cycle Route (Drauradweg) - Carinthia, Austria

Many cyclists associate the Drava Cycle Route with smooth riverside riding, but gravel is an important part of the experience in Carinthia. Some of the longest and most attractive unpaved sections can be found in the Rosental Valley, where the route follows the Drava through quiet natural landscapes between the Karawanks and the river. Additional gravel stretches appear both west and east of Villach on traffic-free riverside paths. Most surfaces are firm and well maintained, adding variety to the ride without making it more demanding.

More: Drava Cycle Route in Austria

Gravel section of the Altmühl Valley Cycle Route — Altmühl Valley Cycle Route in Franconia

Altmühl Valley Cycle Route (Altmühltal-Radweg) - Franconia, Germany

The Altmühl Valley Cycle Route combines two of Franconia's most attractive river valleys and links medieval towns with the natural landscapes of the Franconian Jura. Most of the route follows paved cycle paths and quiet local roads, but gravel sections appear regularly, especially along the Altmühl River and in more natural parts of the valley. These unpaved stretches are generally smooth and well maintained, making them suitable for touring bikes and gravel bikes alike. It is a good example of a classic long-distance cycling route where gravel adds variety without becoming the main challenge of the journey.

More: Altmühl Valley Cycle Route in Germany

Ina River cycling route — Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route in Poland

Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route (Wokół Zalewu Szczecińskiego) - Poland, Germany

Gravel is a defining feature of several sections of the Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route. On the Polish side of the lagoon and Lake Dąbie, cyclists ride around 40 kilometres of unpaved paths, many of them running close to the water or through forests. These sections are among the most scenic parts of the route and offer a noticeably different experience from the paved roads found elsewhere. Across the border in Germany, another 10 kilometres of pleasant gravel tracks connect Bugewitz and Anklam. Together, these sections create some of the most memorable waterside riding on the entire route.

More: Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route in Poland and Germany

Carinthian Lake Loop by the Drava river — Carinthian Lake Loop in Austria

Carinthian Lake Loop (Kärnten Seen-Schleife) - Carinthia, Austria

Although the Carinthian Lake Loop is best known for its lakes and mountain scenery, gravel appears regularly throughout the route. Some of the longest unpaved sections follow the Drava Valley, where cyclists ride on wide riverside paths similar to those found on the nearby Drava Cycle Route. Comparable conditions can also be found in the Glan Valley, where quiet gravel tracks pass through open countryside and small villages. These natural-surface sections fit seamlessly into the route and add variety to the ride without becoming technically demanding.

More: Carinthian Lake Loop in Austria

Beautiful forest section of EuroVelo 10 — EuroVelo 10 in Pomorskie

EuroVelo 10 - Pomorskie, Poland

Not every gravel route needs to lead deep into remote wilderness. Along the Baltic coast in the Pomorskie region of Poland, cyclists regularly leave the asphalt for natural and forested paths that fit perfectly into the character of the landscape. Some of the most enjoyable unpaved sections run through coastal forests, dunes and protected natural areas, where traffic is virtually non-existent. These gravel and hard-packed surfaces add a sense of adventure to a route that is otherwise known for its beaches, seaside resorts and Baltic views.

More: EuroVelo 10 in Pomorskie

Central Lapland Gravel Loop - Lapland, Finland

The Central Lapland Gravel Loop is one of Europe's most remote bikepacking routes, crossing vast forests, wilderness areas and open fell landscapes in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Gravel is not an occasional feature here - it defines most of the journey, with hundreds of kilometres of quiet forest roads linking small villages, rivers and national parks. The route spends long periods far from larger settlements, creating a strong sense of solitude and immersion in nature. Reindeer, wilderness shelters and endless gravel roads are among the experiences that make this route unique.

More: Central Lapland Gravel Loop in Finland (coming soon) 👇

Gravel roads in Western Latvia — EuroVelo 10 in Courland

EuroVelo 10 - Courland, Latvia

The Latvian section of EuroVelo 10 offers a different kind of gravel experience from many inland routes. Long stretches of compact forest and coastal paths run through pine woods, dunes and protected natural areas, often with the Baltic Sea only a short distance away. Some of the most memorable unpaved sections can be found near the Slītere National Park and along the quieter parts of the Courland coast, where nature takes precedence over infrastructure. The result is a route where gravel is closely connected to the landscape and often becomes one of the highlights of the ride.

More: EuroVelo 10 in Courland

Have a safe ride! 💚

Simon Thread
(Szymon Nitka)

I'm a passionate cycling traveler and the voice behind Cycling Thread. I explore Europe on two wheels, documenting the most scenic routes, inspiring places and cyclist-friendly practices. My writing blends personal experience with practical insights and a deep love of travel. I'm also a contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine.