Blue Ridge Parkway tops the list of 30 best cycling routes in the world

There are some incredibly beautiful bike paths and cycling routes on this planet. And, a new list showcases the top 30 with three in the United States and one in Canada landing in the top 10.

The researchers took an Instagram-worthy angle to the world’s prettiest pedal territory to find out “which cycle routes and areas around the world are prompting people to share the most photos.” In the end, the report highlights a list of stunning pathways, race routes and trails from popular tourist routes to challenging mountain tours.

“By cross-referencing the route’s distance with the number of hashtags associated with the route, we can reveal which cycle routes around the world have had the most photo uploads per kilometre,” read the report, authored by adventure travel company Explore Worldwide. “The routes with the highest ratio of Instagram uploads per kilometre have been crowned as our most picturesque cycle routes.”

Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail landed 9th on the global list. Blue Ridge Parkway in the USA comes out on top with 832 Instagram images shared for every kilometre of its 755KM distance, and the list includes breathtaking cycling routes such as the Kinderdijk cycle path in The Netherlands and Simpsons Gap in Australia.

Here is a look at the top 10.

Blue Ridge Parkway

Running across North Carolina and Virginia, Blue Ridge Parkway has captured the hearts and cameras of cycling aficionados. Taking travellers through the Appalachian Mountains, it’s nicknamed ‘America’s favourite drive’ but cyclists are welcome to take in the beauty and wonder of the region as they pedal amongst the diverse vegetation and glorious ascents and descents of this picture-perfect cycling route.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana, USA

With 730 photo shares per kilometre, Going-to-the-Sun Road is a cyclist’s paradise in the spring months as all motor traffic is forbidden. While exploring Montana’s Glacier National Park, be prepared for twists, turns, and jaw-dropping views. Logan Pass and the Weeping Wall are two unmissable stops along the way for cyclists looking for gorgeous photograph opportunities.

Lake Ohrid, Albania

Can’t decide between mountain biking and road cycling routes? The path around Lake Ohrid gives you the best of both worlds in a scenic 92-kilometre cycling journey. With small towns, traditional fishing villages, and crystal-clear water, Lake Ohrid’s circular loop is certain to fill your camera roll.

The Shinanami Kaido, Japan

Connecting the main island of Honshu to the island of Shikoku, Japan’s Shinanami Kaido route offers memorable views to any cyclist who is ready to make the 70km journey across the smaller islands that lie in the Seto Inland Sea. But it’s not just sea views you can expect: each individual island offers an array of cultural attractions, so be prepared for a path that will quickly fill your Instagram feed.

The South Downs Way, England

Welcoming cyclists to the British coast via pretty countryside trails, the South Downs Way is a several-day bike journey amongst traditional English towns, rivers and chalk downs. Those who make the journey are recommended to prepare for some rainfall, depending on the time of year, but whatever the weather the ride will deliver some spectacular views between Winchester and the Seven Sister cliffs.

Kinderjijk Cycle Route, The Netherlands

Shortest on our list so far at only 43km long, the Kinderjijk Cycle Route tallies up an impressive 486 photos shares on Instagram per kilometre. Taking cyclists along the River Lek, this bike path guides you to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site at Kinderdijk, home to 19 historical windmills, making up the biggest collection of functional windmills in The Netherlands. The roads are flat, the scenery is beautiful and the Dutch are happy to guide you along the way.

Simpsons Gap, Queensland, Australia

There is a 17-kilometre cross-country path linking Flynns Grave and Simpsons Gap which is ideal for riders looking to admire the panoramic views surrounding the remote town of Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory.

Carretera Austral, Patagonia, Chile

Taking you through the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the ‘Southern Way’ route (a.k.a. Carretera Austral) is one of the world’s most famous cycling routes. Crammed with glacier rivers, snowy mountain vistas and aquamarine lakes, the route is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful routes in South America, and in the summer season cyclists of all nationalities head here to experience the views for themselves.

Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail, Canada

Etched into the edge of the dramatic Cape Breton Highlands, the 300-kilometre-long Cabot Trail rewards cyclists intrepid enough to take it on with mesmerizing coastal views. September is a great time to cycle this route, with the spring months being a bit wet and the summer being the busiest time with motorists.

Crater Lake Loop, Oregon, USA

The third entry from the USA within the top ten most picturesque cycle routes is the Crater Lake Loop. Clocking it at roughly 52 kilometres, there are plenty of water and toilet stops en route, as well as some top opportunities for photographs at Vidae Falls, Cloudcap Overlook and Phantom Ship Overlook.

Here is the rest of the list:

The Katy Trail, Missouri, USA

Romantic Road, Bavaria & Baden-Württemberg, Germany

The Camel Trail, Cornwall, UK

Cape Point Nature Reserve Table Mountain National Park, South Africa

Cilento National Park, Salerno Province, Italy

Parenzana, Croatia, Slovenia & Italy

Chapel Loop, Provence, France

The Hauraki Rail Trail, Coromandel Peninsula & Hauraki Plains, New Zealand

Yungas Road, La Paz & Yungas, Bolivia

Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon, Portugal

Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path, Eindhoven, Netherlands

EV5 Via Romea Francigena (EuroVelo 5), UK, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Italy

Route of the Seven Lakes/Ruta de los Siete Lagos, Patagonia, Argentina

Elbe Cycle Route, Poland & Germany

Route des Grandes Alpes, French Alps, France

Alps to Ocean Trail, South Island, New Zealand

High Atlas, Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Centenary Trail, Canberra, Australia

Ho Chi Minh Trail, North & South Vietnam

Otago Central Rail Trail, Central Otago District, New Zealand