Cycling in the United States
The United States offers cycling adventures for every kind of rider, from epic long-distance touring routes and converted rail trails to world-famous mountain biking singletrack. The country’s diverse terrain and growing network of dedicated bike paths make it a premier destination for two-wheeled exploration.
Road cyclists and bikepackers can tackle coast-hugging highways and continent-spanning dirt routes, while families and casual riders enjoy flat, scenic rail trails built on former railroad grades. Mountain bikers, meanwhile, flock to the slickrock deserts and alpine trails that helped birth the sport.
Whether you crave a multi-week wilderness bikepacking expedition, a leisurely ride through wine country, or the technical challenge of legendary singletrack, American cycling routes deliver. Many rail trails and scenic byways are car-free or low-traffic, making them accessible to riders of all abilities.
Top Cycling Routes#
Pacific Coast Route, Washington to California The Pacific Coast Bicycle Route runs roughly 1,800 miles down the West Coast, following Highway 1 and quieter coastal roads from the Canadian border to Mexico. Cyclists are treated to endless ocean views, redwood forests, and charming beach towns. Riding north to south takes advantage of prevailing tailwinds, and hiker-biker campsites along the way keep costs low.
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, Canada to Mexico The Great Divide is the world’s premier off-pavement bikepacking route, running some 2,700 miles along the Continental Divide from Banff to the Mexican border. It crosses remote mountain passes and vast stretches of dirt and gravel through the heart of the Rockies. Completing it is a supreme test of endurance and self-sufficiency in wild, sparsely populated country.
GAP and C&O Canal, Pittsburgh to Washington DC The Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath together form a continuous 335-mile car-free route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. The trail follows former rail lines and canal towpaths through the Allegheny Mountains and along the Potomac River. Its gentle grades, historic towns, and scenic river valleys make it one of the most beloved long-distance rides in the East.
Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana Cycling Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is a bucket-list climb up a spectacular alpine route carved into the mountainside. In spring, before the road opens to cars, cyclists have the car-free ascent to themselves amid towering peaks and waterfalls. The grueling climb to Logan Pass rewards riders with some of the most dramatic scenery in the Rockies.
Katy Trail, Missouri The Katy Trail is the longest continuous rail trail in the country, stretching 240 flat, crushed-limestone miles across Missouri. It follows the route of Lewis and Clark along the Missouri River, passing river bluffs, wineries, and quaint small towns. The gentle, car-free grade makes it a favorite for multi-day tours and casual riders of all ages.
San Juan Islands, Washington The San Juan Islands in Puget Sound are a cyclist’s dream, a car-optional archipelago linked by ferries and laced with quiet country roads. Riders pedal past rolling farmland, forests, and rocky shorelines with views of passing orcas. Hopping between islands by ferry, with a bike as the only vehicle needed, makes for an idyllic Pacific Northwest tour.
Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee to Mississippi The Natchez Trace Parkway is a favorite among cyclists for its 444 miles of smooth, low-traffic pavement with no commercial vehicles allowed. The gentle terrain and historic setting, following an ancient travel corridor, make it ideal for long-distance touring. Frequent historic sites and campgrounds allow riders to break the journey at a relaxed pace.
Cape Cod Rail Trail, Massachusetts The Cape Cod Rail Trail runs 25 flat, paved miles through the heart of the Cape, connecting charming villages, cranberry bogs, and kettle ponds. Built on a former railroad bed, it offers easy, family-friendly riding within reach of beaches and clam shacks. Its accessibility and New England scenery make it one of the most popular rail trails in the Northeast.
Mickelson Trail, South Dakota The George S. Mickelson Trail winds 109 miles through the Black Hills of South Dakota, following an old railroad grade past pine forests, granite spires, and historic mining towns. The trail passes near Mount Rushmore and the town of Deadwood, blending scenery with Old West history. Converted trestles and tunnels add character to this gentle, crushed-limestone route.
Erie Canalway Trail, New York The Erie Canalway Trail spans some 360 miles across New York State, tracing the historic canal that opened the American West to commerce. The flat, largely car-free path connects Buffalo and Albany, passing canal locks, aqueducts, and Erie Canal towns. It is a rolling history lesson through the industrial heartland of the early United States.
Slickrock Trail, Moab, Utah The Slickrock Trail near Moab is one of the most famous mountain biking routes in the world, a technical loop over undulating Navajo sandstone. The remarkable grip of the rock allows bikes to climb and descend impossibly steep slopes. Riding across the surreal, wave-like petrified dunes with the La Sal Mountains in the distance is a rite of passage for mountain bikers.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina The Blue Ridge Parkway offers cyclists a challenging, scenic ride along the crest of the southern Appalachians, with sweeping mountain vistas and no commercial traffic. The relentless climbs and descents reward strong riders with blazing autumn color and misty ridgeline views. Its high elevation and quiet pavement make it a legendary, if demanding, destination for road cyclists.