With 25% of Hong Kong travellers looking to take an activity-driven vacation in 2025, here below is a fresh list of global destinations best explored on two wheels. For those who enjoy a mix of leisurely bicycle rides and competitive races, these handpicked spots offer scenic trails and local flavours, proving that adventure, culture, and discovery are best experienced at your own pace.
Hokkaido, Japan
Among Japan’s most underrated adventures, cycling in Hokkaido offers views into vast, untamed beauty and peaceful roads. Drift past lavender fields in Furano, before ascending the gentle volcanic inclines of Daisetsuzan National Park, where the air is crisp and clean. From the coastal route around Shakotan Peninsula, a 30 km (18.6 miles) ride around the mountainous peninsula to the Lake Toya cycling route, which offers volcanic views softened by hot spring detours, no two rides in Hokkaido are alike.
Off the bike, Hokkaido is a festival of flavours and sights, from freshly caught seafood, including sea urchin and Hakodate squid, in bustling fishing towns to the mesmerising avant-garde architecture of HIGO and the 360° house in Sapporo.
Where to stay: Tokachigawa Moor Onsen Seijyakubow, offering a 5-star ryokan experience, is an excellent spot for cyclists wanting to explore the area’s most beautiful routes. The traditional Japanese inn features comfortable and minimalist rooms, many with private open-air baths fed by the moor hot springs on-site. With a private garden, terrace and spa facilities, including a hot spring spa to rest those tired limbs. There is no better place to shift gears and wind down after a day on the road.
Hangzhou, China
Located in Zhejiang Province, cycling along the Qiantang River offers a captivating journey through time, blending historic sites with modern marvels. Cyclists can begin their exploration from Liuhe Pagoda Cultural Park. Along the way, discover architectural beauty like the Hangzhou Bay Bridge, and pause to appreciate the serene White Pagoda at Baita Park. Travellers can also stay after sunset to witness the spectacular nighttime light show.
Off the bike, Hangzhou is a symphony of timeless elegance and modern innovation, from the poetic waterways of West Lake to the emerald expanses of Longjing tea plantations and the dazzling Qianjiang New City skyline. This city offers travellers a harmonious fusion of ancient tradition and contemporary vision.
Where to stay: Located steps from Jinshahu Subway Station, Crowne Plaza Hangzhou Qiantang offers cyclists prime access to Qiantang River routes and West Lake trails. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms with city views and a mix of diverse cuisine for breakfasts to fuel their adventures.
Anakiwa, Marlborough, New Zealand
Located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Anakiwa is famed for the lush native bush, turquoise bays and the ideal location for cycling and outdoor enthusiasts to explore. The coastal village is situated at the eastern gateway to the Queen Charlotte Track. This route is for the more experienced cyclists out there, stretching 73.5 km (45 miles) across an undulating track, with hills ranging from sea level to a maximum of 400 metres (0.25 miles). For a relaxed family ride, follow the gentle Link Pathway to Picton or explore the scenic Kenepuru Road loop, where sheep might be your only companions.
To explore the area from a different angle, the Half Day Sea Kayak Guided Tour offers travellers a closer look at Queen Charlotte Sound, across the beautiful cove of azure blue waters. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seals, often spotted playing in the waters along the way. History lovers can explore the old wharf pilings or relax on a weathered bench as the day slips by.
Where to stay: Anakiwa 401 guest house in the neighbouring Picton offers direct beachfront access and seaside views. Guests can relax on the sun terrace to give themselves some time to coast and recharge after a day on the road. This homestay is the perfect base to explore Anakiwa’s natural beauty, with bicycle hire, a tour desk for route planning, and gear for canoeing, hiking, and snorkelling excursions.
Patagonia, Chile
Cycling in Patagonia is more about enjoying the views and soaking in the scenery compared to speed. Located at South America’s southern tip, cyclists can travel endless open roads past glacial valleys, the turquoise lake of Torres del Paine, and the jagged peaks surrounding the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. The Carretera Austral (Route 7), one of the region’s most famous cycling and walking routes, stretches over 1,200 km (745 miles) from Puerto Montt and winds through Patagonia’s rainforests, volcanoes, lakes, and glaciers, offering a mix of paved and unpaved challenges.
When getting off the bike, you can explore the charming mountain town of El Bolsón, browse its vibrant 200-stall street fair, and sample local produce and crafts, including homemade cuckoo clocks and impressive leatherwork. For a thrilling experience and an epic view, why not head out on this Private Rock Climb Experience in Northern Patagonia? Reach new heights amongst the beautiful surroundings of stunning, rugged landscapes dominated by granite spires, glaciers, and alpine lakes.
Where to stay: Bories – Boutique Guest House in Ultima Esperanza offers cyclists a convenient and relaxing stay near popular routes, including the Carretera Austral. You can explore some of the area’s most beloved attractions, such as the Municipal Museum of History and Puerto Natales’ charming Main Square. Rejuvenate into cozy modern rooms and feast on a hearty breakfast to start the day to fuel up for a day of cycling.
Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger is a quietly stylish coastal city, located in the southwest of Norway, where cyclists and city dwellers coexist in Scandinavian harmony. The area boasts fjord-framed roads and emerald valleys, with scenic routes climbing toward Lysefjord and the dramatic, brutally beautiful Preikestolen cliff. Riders who are ambitious and experienced can try to take on the challenge of the legendary Lysebotn climb, which is well known for its 27 hairpin bends carved into sheer rock. For a gentler ride, consider pedaling along the coast past Sola Beach, where expansive sea views and wind turbines provide pleasant company. Inland, the popular Dalsnuten climb rewards cyclists with panoramic sights over Stavanger and its surrounding mountainous peaks.
For travellers who don’t cycle, a guided sunrise hike to Pulpit Rock, a towering cliff-plateau directly suspended over Lysefjorden, offers breathtaking views and a serene start to the day. Stavanger is a place where visitors can ride hard in the morning and unwind with a stroll along the harbor, with a drink in hand, in the afternoon.
Where to stay: Providing guests with bicycle rentals and parking, the RoaldsPiren Stavanger is a calm boathouse-style bed and breakfast perched on a private pier outside Stavanger. After a day of cycling, guests can enjoy the sunset over the water on the private terrace, enjoy a selection of picnic foods in the property’s outdoor seating area or a dip in the saltwater pool on-site to cool off.
