There is a name that is capturing the attention of cycling enthusiasts across Europe. It’s the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail, the international project that won the Best Cycle Tourism Initiative Award: a European award assigned by EuroVelo dedicated to the best cycling tourism initiatives.
Born from an ambitious environmental conservation project along the Mur, Drava, and Danube rivers, this project is a one-of-a-kind itinerary.
A spectacular route that crosses five countries (Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Serbia) following the slow rhythm of nature: over 1,200 kilometers of road through local communities, natural parks, and biosphere reserves in a shared sustainable tourism project. Embarking on this itinerary means embarking on a journey that builds bridges between cultures, territories, and people, restoring cycling tourism to its most authentic dimension.
Cycling along the Amazon of Europe
The name “Amazon of Europe” is no coincidence: the area crossed by the trail is one of the most biodiverse on the entire continent, a network of rivers, floodplain forests, and small rural villages where time seems to have stood still.
This route follows the course of the Mur, Drava, and Danube rivers, crossing constantly changing landscapes: from the Austrian plains to the Slovenian floodplain forests, from the Hungarian nature reserves to the river expanses of Croatia and Serbia.
The trail is divided into two main routes (north and south), both well marked and designed to accommodate all types of cyclists, from experienced travelers to curious beginners. Along the route, there is no shortage of bike-friendly accommodation, repair shops, e-bike charging points, and local information centers. A sign of careful and widespread organization.
Every day offers different experiences: a flat stretch along the Mur, a Hungarian Baroque village, a suspension bridge over the Drava, or a sunset over the Danube. The variety of the landscape and the opportunity to encounter different cultures make this itinerary a unique adventure for those who love the slow pace of cycling.
Practical information and advice for travelers
Traveling along the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail means tackling a long and complex itinerary, but one that is accessible to everyone thanks to clear signage, GPS maps, and a flexible system of stages. The route is designed to be explored at your own pace: you can start from any point, choose how many stages to cover, and decide between various levels of difficulty and duration.
The official website features a useful interactive trip planner that helps you plan every detail, from accommodation to luggage transport, weather conditions to local events: a valuable resource for those who want to enjoy the experience independently but without compromising on safety and comfort.
For those who want to arrive prepared, we also recommend consulting our guide on How to organize a bike trip: a complete guide to cycle tourism, where you will find suggestions on equipment, maintenance, and logistics.
Reaching the route
To reach the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail and make it part of an even bigger cycling adventure, you’ll need to think about how to get your bike there. Bringing your own bike is doable, but it takes a bit of planning. Check out our guide on Traveling in Europe with your bike: a practical guide for the main rules on European trains, assembled or disassembled bikes, extra charges, and reservations.
Once there, the itinerary can be combined with one or more excursions in the surrounding areas: all this helps to transform the route into a multi-stage journey, in which the bicycle becomes the common thread linking different landscapes, cultures, and stories.
Here are three recommended destinations to combine with your trip on the Amazon of Europe Bike Trail:
- Carso Verde (Slovenia) – A rich cycling region with around 880 km of cycle paths, routes through lakes, caves, valleys, and forests, perfect for extending your experience in the area.
- Lika Region (Croatia) – Located in the Croatian part of the trail, it offers mountain and river landscapes, secondary roads, marked cycle paths, and wilder stretches: an ideal stop before or after the main part of the itinerary.
- Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) – Perfect for those starting from Italy and wanting a “before & after” to the trail: with its cycle paths connecting the Alps and the sea, it is convenient as an extension or approach stage.
A model of sustainable and shared tourism
The Amazon of Europe Bike Trail is now one of the most important examples of sustainable and cross-border tourism in Europe. Created as an international cooperation project, it has succeeded in bringing together local administrations, nature parks, and communities that believe in the value of slow tourism: it is no coincidence that it has been awarded the prestigious Best Cycle Tourism Initiative Award. Every cyclist who travels the trail contributes to supporting the local economy, preserving the environment, and promoting a more conscious and respectful approach to travel.
But the success of this project is not only in its ecological dimension: it is in its ability to create real connections between people and territories, uniting five cultures in a single, extraordinary adventure on two wheels. It is an invitation to slow down, to be surprised by what you encounter along the way and to rediscover the pleasure of travel as an experience of discovery and encounter.
If you have also contributed to projects or initiatives that have transformed the cycling tourism experience – such as new routes, innovative services, or actions that have brought new people to cycling tourism – this is your chance to showcase them on the stage of the Cycling Tourism Show. Apply to our Call for Abstract by November 30, 2025 by completing the form and sharing your success story
