While some people’s idea of a vacation is to sit on the beach and watch the waves, others crave adventure. Touring by bike is just one way to explore the heart of a foreign land while, at the same time, challenging both your body and your mind. Taken a step further, there exist many adventurers who don’t want to waste their time with short excursions but, instead, long bike trips.
For example, there are over 300 sun-drenched trails to explore in the Sonoran Desert in both Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, according to Wild Bunch Desert Guides. With that much terrain to explore, you can choose the right adventure for you and your budget.
That said, what are some other challenging and stunning long-distance bike tours that are located all over the globe? According to a 2022 report by Lonely Planet, adventuring by bike is the complete opposite of the modern love of quick,
For many, traveling by bike is the antithesis of the modern trend of fast, fly-in-fly-out-quick travel. For some, it’s not easy to envision a better way to explore the country than on your favorite bike. It’s not a race, however. You can do it slowly while the stunning landscape passes you by, and your guide fills you in on all sorts of wonderful, historic details of the location.
In fact, cycling is said to give you time to admire your surroundings. It will draw you away from busy and annoying tourist crowds. It’s also sustainable and causes little to no harm to the environment.
If you’re passionate about biking and adventure travel, you might be inspired to set out on any one the following epic rides around the globe. Consider these “life-affirming trips” that can have you freewheeling over the salt flats of Bolivia or up and down the high peaks of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains while curious nomads look on.
South Namibia
Start point: Windhoek
End point: Felix Unite
Total Distance: 621 miles or 1000km
In terms of population density, Namibia boasts the second lowest on Earth. You can find most of its people living in the north while the south is almost empty. South Namibia is said to be an arid, unforgiving country. Amenities and the small towns that provide them are few and quite far between. Roads almost always consist of loose gravel. But that land is visually spectacular.
In general, a seven-day, 621 mile or 1000km bike tour through South Namibia, from the capital at Windhoek to the South African border, requires precise planning, packing, determination and, even if you are traveling with a guide, extreme self-reliance.
By factoring in long distances between roadhouses, towns, campgrounds, and stunning attractions, one ideal itinerary is to go southwest to Sesriem to visit Ssuvlei’s red dunes and salt pans. You then make a right turn at Helmeringhausen and Seeheim to take a break in Hobia for a view of Fish River Canyon, which is said to rival the Grand Canyon. You then head south to Felixe Unite, which is close to the Noordoewer International Crossing to South Africa.
Cuba’s La Farola
Start Point: Cajobabo
End Point: Baracoa
Overall Distance: 34 miles or 55km
Considered one of the seven engineering wonders of Cuba, La Farola or the Lighthouse Road, connects the Cajobabo beach town on the dry Caribbean coast with the mysterious and fascinating country’s oldest city, Baracoa.
At 34 miles or 55km in total length, the old road traverses the steep, cliff-like-sided Sierra del Puril. The road is then said to snake its way gradually through a landscape of pine-scented forest and granite cliffs before suddenly dropping onto the lush tropical Atlantic coastline.
For in-shape cyclists, the bike trip is said to offer a Tour de France-style with hard climbs, invigorating drops, and fairly smooth roads. La Faerola begins 124 miles or 200km east of Santiago de Cuba and can be incorporated into a wider and longer Cuban cycling adventure. It’s also possible to hire a taxi to deliver you to the starting point.
Bolivia’s, Salar De Uyuni
Start point: Uyuni
End point: Sabaya
Total Distance: 186 miles or 300km
Said to be an undisputed highlight of any South American adventure, touring by bike on top of the salt crust of Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is an incredible adventuring experience. It’s a relatively high altitude locale that can take five or six days, which are broken up with food and water resupply at the midway point/settlement of Llica.
Considered the largest salt flat on the globe, bike touring on the Salar De Uyuni provides an almost outer-worldly experience. Pitching your tent after a long day of adventuring by bike and seasoning your dinner with the ground while waking up to a radiance of lavender and glowing light can be a mind-blowing experience, to say the least.
Keep in mind that this bike tour can only be attempted during the Bolivian winter since the summer salt lakes are plagued by the rainy season.
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