By Claire WhitakerUpdated November 2026
Finding local free cycling routes takes less effort than most riders expect, but the sources vary a lot in how useful they are once you are on the road or trail. Some guides give you turn-by-turn detail and elevation profiles. Others offer inspiration without enough specifics to actually plan a ride. This list compares five route books based on the factors that matter most for a rider who wants to plan a ride from a book or a map: how clearly routes are described, whether distances and climbs are listed, how well the routes are organized geographically, and whether the book is useful for riders at different fitness levels. Each pick is evaluated from its listing details and the kinds of feedback owners commonly report, not from personal testing.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallLonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas: 200 Amazing Cycling RoutesView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for long-distance touringPacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1: Vancouver, British Columbia to Astoria, OregonView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for big-mileage mountain bikersGreat Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2: Polaris, Montana to South Pass City, WyomingView on Amazon - 4
Best for local singletrackMountain Bike: Park City: 47 Select Singletrack RoutesView on Amazon - 5
Best for inspiration and global ideasCyclist Ride: The Greatest Cycling Routes in the WorldView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas | Riders wanting a wide range of regional routes | 200 routes with maps and travel tips |
| Cyclist Ride | Riders looking for ideas and destinations | Global selection of well-known cycling routes |
| Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2 | Experienced mountain bikers planning a long route | Listed as a 510-mile route between two named points |
| Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1 | Multi-day road touring | Listed as a 402-mile route from Vancouver to Astoria |
| Mountain Bike: Park City | Riders who want local trail options near one town | 47 selected singletrack routes in one area |
Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas: 200 Amazing Cycling Routes
Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas: 200 Amazing Cycling Routes | Maps & Travel Tips | Easy & Challenging Adventures | Stunning Photography
Best for: Riders wanting a broad, varied set of routes in one book
This is the most general of the five picks. It suits riders who want to compare many options across North and South America, from easy weekend rides to demanding multi-day efforts, before choosing where to ride locally or further afield.
Key specs
- Title lists 200 cycling routes
- Includes maps and travel tips
- Covers both easy and challenging rides
Pros
- Large number of routes to compare in one place
- Mix of difficulty levels helps match a ride to your fitness
- Maps and travel notes make planning simpler
Cons
- Coverage is regional, so very local rides may not appear
- Route detail varies by entry, so check distances against a current map
Bottom line: A strong first choice for riders who want variety and inspiration across a large area, and who are comfortable checking details against an updated map.
Cyclist Ride: The Greatest Cycling Routes in the World
Cyclist Ride: The greatest cycling routes in the world
Best for: Riders looking for ideas and destinations rather than turn-by-turn planning
This book fits riders who are deciding where to go next and want to see a curated set of celebrated routes. It works well as a planning companion once you already know roughly what kind of ride you want.
Key specs
- Global focus on widely recognized cycling routes
- Designed as an inspiration-led guide
Pros
- Good source of destination ideas
- Routes are chosen for interest and scenery
- Easy to browse for a feel of what is possible
Cons
- Less practical for finding routes close to home
- Route data may need supplementing with a mapping app
Bottom line: Best for riders who want inspiration and big-picture ideas before they start planning the details.
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2: Polaris, Montana to South Pass City, Wyoming
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2: "Polaris, Montana – South Pass City, Wyoming – 510 miles"
Best for: Experienced mountain bikers planning a long, self-supported route
This is a focused route guide rather than a general book. It suits riders who already ride mountain bikes regularly and want a defined long-distance corridor with a clear start and finish.
Key specs
- Route listed as 510 miles between Polaris, Montana and South Pass City, Wyoming
- Single-route focus rather than a collection
Pros
- Clear defined endpoints make logistics easier to plan
- Useful for riders building a multi-day mountain bike trip
- Focused content means less time comparing options
Cons
- Not useful for riders looking for short local loops
- Demands significant fitness, navigation skill and resupply planning
Bottom line: For experienced riders who want one serious long-distance mountain bike route, this is the most targeted option on the list.
Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1: Vancouver, British Columbia to Astoria, Oregon
Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1: Vancouver, British Columbia – Astoria, Oregon – 402 miles
Best for: Multi-day road touring along a coastal corridor
This guide covers a single long coastal route, which makes it practical for riders planning a multi-day trip rather than a day ride. It is most useful for those comfortable reading route notes and planning stops.
Key specs
- Route listed as 402 miles from Vancouver, British Columbia to Astoria, Oregon
- Coastal corridor with defined start and end points
Pros
- Clear endpoints suit point-to-point planning
- Good match for riders seeking a scenic multi-day tour
- Single route keeps planning focused
Cons
- Limited value for riders staying near home
- Stops and services will need checking against current information
Bottom line: A good pick for road or touring riders who want one defined coastal trip rather than a library of local options.
Mountain Bike: Park City: 47 Select Singletrack Routes
Mountain Bike: Park City: 47 Select Singletrack Routes
Best for: Riders who want local trail options around one town
This is the most locally focused pick. If your goal is to find free routes close to where you live or where you are staying, a single-area guide like this one is more practical than a global collection.
Key specs
- 47 selected singletrack routes listed in the title
- Focused on one area
Pros
- Strong local relevance for one area
- Large number of routes gives options for many ride lengths
- Singletrack focus suits trail riders
Cons
- Useless outside its area
- Trail conditions and access rules change, so verify before riding
Bottom line: The best choice on this list for riders who want many local trail options in one specific place.
Buying Guide
Coverage area and how local the routes are
Start by deciding how far you are willing to ride to a route. A regional book is useful for weekend trips, while a single-area guide is better for daily riding. Consider whether you want routes within 10 to 20 miles of home or are planning longer drives to trailheads.
Good picks for this: Mountain Bike: Park City, Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas
Route length, distance and elevation data
Look for guides that state total distance and, ideally, climbing. Distance alone does not tell you how hard a ride will be. A 20-mile route with 3,000 feet of climbing is a very different day than a flat 20-mile loop. When a book lists distances, check them against a mapping tool before you commit.
Good picks for this: Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2, Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1
Terrain type: road, gravel or singletrack
Match the guide to the surface you ride. Road routes, gravel routes and singletrack trails need different bikes and different planning. A trail guide will rarely help a road rider, and the reverse is also true. Check whether the book states the surface type for each route.
Good picks for this: Mountain Bike: Park City, Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1
Map quality and navigation support
Maps are the core of any route guide. Look for clear maps with scale bars, labeled junctions and readable elevation profiles. Pair printed maps with a phone-based navigation app as a backup, and download offline maps before you leave coverage areas.
Good picks for this: Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas, Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2
Skill level and fitness match
Choose routes that match your current fitness, not your goals. A guide that labels routes as easy, moderate or challenging helps you start conservatively. Riders new to long distances should begin with shorter routes and build up gradually.
Good picks for this: Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas, Cyclist Ride
Trip length: day rides versus multi-day tours
Decide whether you want a single day or several days on the road. Multi-day routes need information about lodging, water sources and resupply. Point-to-point routes need transportation planning to get back to your start.
Good picks for this: Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1, Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2
Currency of information
Trail access, closures and road conditions change. Check publication dates and confirm critical details with local land managers, bike shops or current online sources. A route description is a starting point, not a guarantee.
Good picks for this: Mountain Bike: Park City, Cyclist Ride
FAQ
Are free cycling routes safe to follow without a guide?
Many free routes are well used, but safety depends on your skills, the weather and the route itself. Check road conditions, carry water and a repair kit, and tell someone your plan. Riders who are unsure should consult a local bike shop or a certified cycling instructor before riding unfamiliar terrain.
What is the easiest way to find local routes without buying a book?
Start with your state or regional cycling resources, local bike advocacy groups and public trail maps. Many agencies publish free route maps. Compare any route you find against a current map to confirm its length and surface.
How do I know if a route is right for my fitness level?
Look at distance and total climbing together. As a rough guide, start with routes you can ride comfortably at a conversational pace, then increase distance or elevation gradually. If a route description says it is challenging, treat that as a signal to plan extra time.
Do route guides include up-to-date trail conditions?
Usually not. Printed guides capture a route at the time of writing. Check land management websites, local forums or bike shops for closures, seasonal restrictions and recent damage before you ride.
Can I use these books for gravel riding?
Some routes overlap with gravel terrain, but not all are labeled that way. Check the surface description for each route. If a route is mostly unpaved, plan for a slower pace and wider tires.
What should I carry on a free route I found online?
Carry water, food, a spare tube, a pump or inflator, basic tools, a charged phone with offline maps, and a light if there is any chance you will ride after dusk. Adjust the list for the length and remoteness of the route.
Is a printed guide still useful if I have a phone?
Yes. Printed guides work without battery or signal, and their layout often shows the full route at a glance. Many riders use both a printed guide and a phone app for navigation.
Conclusion
For most riders, the best starting point is a book that matches the area and ride type you care about. Lonely Planet Epic Bike Rides of the Americas gives the broadest set of options for planning across a region. Mountain Bike: Park City is the strongest choice for local trail riding in one area. Pacific Coast Bicycle Route – 1 and Great Divide Mountain Bike Route – 2 suit riders planning defined multi-day trips. Cyclist Ride is most useful for inspiration before you commit to a specific route. Whichever you choose, verify distances and current conditions before you ride.
For more planning help, see Finding Regional Cycling Routes and State Resources, Finding Bike Touring Routes: Maps, USBRS and Navigation, and Multi-Day Bike Routes: How to Choose and Plan Them. If you are planning a longer trip, Planning a Bike Tour: Route, Distance and Stops covers stops and daily distances in more depth.
Sources
- Information on federal lands, recreation areas and trail access rules that affect many long-distance routes (usbr.gov)
- Park-specific trail information, closures and seasonal restrictions for routes that cross national park land (nps.gov)
- Federal guidance on bicycle facilities and road design standards relevant to route planning (fhwa.dot.gov)
Related reading
- Top 7 Bike Trails San Francisco Bay Area Guides and Routes
- San Jose Bike Trails: 7 Best Routes and Guides Compared
About Claire Whitaker
Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our bike touring & bikepacking guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
