Get your bucket lists ready my fellow cyclists. If you are looking to ride an epic journey through some of our country's most beautiful landscapes, I've got just the list for you. Here are some of the best long-distance bike paths in America.
1. The Denali Highway
This road was once was used as a supply route for miners during the Alaskan Gold Rush, but now it's the perfect pathway for cyclists looking to explore Alaska! The route runs from Paxson and Cantwell, is mainly gravel, and stretches 133-miles. Plently of camping, hiking, kayaking, and hardly any (if any at all) vehicular traffic.
2. Erie Canal
This route became popular for cyclists in the 1990s, but technically it 'opened' in 1925. The path is 400 miles and stretches from Buffalo to Albany following the canal. You'll be able to explore this flat terrain that is often called by cyclists the "historical eighth wonder of the world."
3. Great Divide Trail
You'll need 3 months of vacation and lots of energy. This trail runs 2,493 miles and includes incredible single-track, mixed gravel, and converted railroad beds. Connecting Canada to Mexico, this trail gains more than 200,000 feet of elevation.
4. Great Ohio Lake to River Greenway
Connecting Lake Erie to the Ohio River, this 110 mile paved path is relatively shorter then the rest of the paths on this list, but it's just as beautiful.
5. Coeur D'Alenes Trail
This Northern Idaho bike path is relatively flat and ideal for families and novice cyclists. With just under 200 miles of trail, the paved trails meander through wetlands and meadows with opportunities to spot wildlife such as moose and local birds.
6. Utah Cliffs Loop
Explore “Color Country,” Utah as you pedal along 287 miles of trail starting and ending in St. George. Cyclists ride alongside subalpine forests, red sandstone cliffs and famous landmarks such as Zion and Snow Canyon National Park. Elevation ranges between 2,500 to 10,000 feet above sea level.
7. Florida Connector
This 530-mile trail connects St. Augustine to Key West, Florida. It is most ideal to cycle December to March to beat the hot, humid and hurricane weather. The path includes a combination of cycling road lanes, sidewalks and bike-only paths. The terrain features a combination of flat and rolling hills. The path rolls through the rural lands with the possibility of spotting a roadside alligator.
