Cliffs of Moher (Ireland)
These picturesque cliffs on Ireland’s west coast are the theme of many a corny postcard. Not many people know, that there’s an unofficial cycling trail, only 4ft wide and continuously crumbling due to natural erosion and there’s no railing, of course. Oh, and don’t forget the deadly drop, ranging from 120 to 240 meters, ending in spiky stones and raging waves. So, while cycling the cliffs isn’t illegal (yet), it certainly isn’t suitable for beginners and careless riders.
Yungas Road (Bolivia)
The first thing that comes up when you Google search “the most extreme biking trail” is always Yungas Road. Also, the trail’s nickname is The Death Road, which should insinuate a thing or two. But if you absolutely insist on visiting Bolivia’s most breath-taking ride, taking you from snow-covered plains (about 3,600m altitude) down to steaming Amazonian jungles, better pay up for a good guide.
Portal Trail Moab (Utah, USA)
Portal Trail is allegedly the deadliest MTB trail in all the USA and, after seeing the footage, we tend to agree. Like all extreme trails, this one requires being on high alert at all times and listening to your common sense also helps. But the views of the ever-sprawling Moab desert plains and Colorado River are worth the risk.
Higher Maritime Alps (South West Alps, France)
This kind of path is called the “goat ledge” and we think we can all guess why. It means you should walk it on all fours, certainly not ride a bike there. But you know, humans. If you, like us, are fine with just watching this vertigo-inducing footage to feel very, very uncomfortable, Higher Maritime Alps trail is not for you.
Radwanderung (Gamitzenklamm Gorge, Austria)
What’s up with the high-altitude and deadly drop obsession? “Radwanderung” literally means “bicycle tour” in German and it couldn’t be a bigger understatement. You have to navigate a narrow path on a series of bridges, boardwalks, and exposed single tracks. Apparently, if you take your eyes off the road for a second when on top, you can see all the way to the Mediterranean but we are not recommending doing that, for obvious reasons.
The White Line (Arizona, USA)
This route is classified as “the ultimate bottom-clenching experience” by seasoned mountain bikers. At first glance, you just see a huge rock with what would appear as series of wrinkles. But after a closer inspection, you can see that a tiny figure on a bicycle is actually making their way through one of those hair-thin ledges. Just, no.
Alp d’Huez (France)
You almost expect the violet Milka cow to appear on a mound after the next turn, looking majestic in the sunshine. This Mecca of the Tour de France, Alpe d’Huez and its 21 bends remain a marquee stage of the Grande Boucle. 1,118m elevation and average of 7.9 % slope makes for a very scenic descent among towering alpine peaks.
Annapurna Circuit (Nepal)
This one is something like a superstar of our gallery. Well known to any cycling thrill seeker and certainly not for the faint of heart. Although the road is walked by hundreds of travellers every year, on and off season, and it’s flagged by many brightly coloured posts, hiring a local guide is strongly recommended. Count on stunning view and the possibilities of carrying your bike over some of the passages with stone steps.
Via Ferrata – Bochette Alte (Dolomites, Italy)
The Via Ferrata or “iron roads” are a series of difficult walking trails in the Italian Dolomites that aided troop movements through the area in the First World War. Due to all the ladders and climbs, it’s strongly recommended to walk the trail, not ride it, but someone had to do just that, you know. But without the daredevils, we wouldn’t have such a mesmerizing drone footage.
Khardung La (Himalayas, Ladakh region, India)
And one eye candy of a video at the end. Just the location should tip you off that this is no ordinary dirt road. Khardung La (la meaning “pass” in Tibetan) is the highest motorable road in Himalayas and boasts an elevation of 5,359 m. The trail conditions and weather are equally unpredictable, surprisingly, which makes this scenic climb one of the most dangerous in the world. But we can reveal that Škoda and We Love Cycling have sent some cycling daredevils up there to face an extreme challenge, so watch our channels and stay tuned for the next big thing!
Which video was your favourite? Did you get inspired, or spooked for life?
