eMTB trails and destinations in Europe
Riding an eMTBs is a fantastic way to challenge yourself and explore the world. As dedicated mountain bikers, when we imagine a dream vacation it usually involves getting on an electric MTB, hitting trails we’ve never ridden before, and shredding some incredible lines. One of the best places on earth to do that is in Europe…This article will discuss some of the best eMTB trail options and their European destinations to inspire you for your next adventure. Let's get into the heart of Europe!
Why go eMTB riding in Europe?
The beauty of Europe is just how varied the landscape is from one country to another. The highs of the French Alps, the winding Amalfi coast of Italy, and the fairytale vistas of Switzerland. It offers so much, and that’s just riding bikes. The culture changes, the terrain, and the people make it an incredibly special place for eMTB trail riding.
Are eMTBs allowed on trails in Europe?
The short answer to this question is—yes! The locations we’ve selected are all e-bike-friendly, and many businesses in these locales actually rent them out. Alpe d’Huez from our French recommendations boasts 16 routes suitable for ‘VTTAE’ (the French abbreviation for eMTB), while nearby Morzine has a huge 22 e-bike-friendly routes.
There are some laws to be aware of, though if you’re bringing an e-bike with you that was not bought in Europe. In the EU, e-bikes are limited to a maximum continuous motor power of 250 watts, and motor assistance must cease once the bike reaches a speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). However, the peak power of eMTBs distinguishes each motor's capacity to provide maximum output in a short period, allowing the rider to accelerate or climb a steep slope. Amflow PL models can provide a peak output of up to 850 watts. Find out more about continuous power and peak power in eMTBs.
In the EU, there are no specific EU-wide regulations that directly dictate the minimum width of paths for e-bikes. However, the use of e-bikes on specific types of paths, such as cycle lanes, pedestrian areas, and shared-use paths, is subject to local or national regulations. These rules may vary from country to country or even city to city. It's important to check local regulations for the area where you're riding, as some cities may impose restrictions on the types of paths e-bikes can use, especially faster models or those exceeding 25 km/h.
Top-5 European Countries to eMTB
From all-time greats to undiscovered gems, we’ve picked out five of our favorite countries to visit for European off-road adventures. From the iconic peaks of the Tour de France, to lesser-known but idyllic Balkan backwoods, there’s so much to explore in the following top destinations.
Best eMTB trails in France
France is the home of cycling and a mountain biking paradise. The French Alps, Loire Valley, and the beautiful coastal Nice. What’s not to love? Cycling is not a sport in France. It's a lifestyle, and it is one many people take very seriously. Getting on your eMTB and enjoying the trails is quite extraordinary in France, and here are a few we recommend.
Short Trails: Alpe d’Huez Loop – What could be better than taking on a trail on the legendary Alp d’Huez? The famous mountain's history can be explored off-road between towns throughout the local area, taking in breathtaking views.
Medium Trails: Morzine Les Gets – This collection of routes explores Morzine. Beautiful first trials and great riding in the wilderness. It is the perfect way to explore a region of France renowned for great mountain biking.
Long Trail: Grande Traversée des Alpes – If you’re looking for a route for a long ride spanning over multiple days then the Grande Traverrsée des Alpes is for you. Dramatic landscapes, mountain passes, and the challenge you never knew you needed.
Best eMTB trails in Italy
Italy can offer something for every mountain biking enthusiast, from the beautiful rolling terrain of Tuscany to the winding roads around Lake Como and the Dolomites epics. It’s not just rich in great terrain but also in culture, food, and pizza, which is incredible fuel. Italy is another great destination to explore for mountain biking and is very accessible for eMTBs, too. MTB in Italy is incredible and must be explored.
Short Trails: Dolomiti Paganella – Stunning views of the Dolomites, challenging terrain, and one of the best trail options in Italy. The Dolomiti Paganella is a great way to explore and challenge your skills.
Medium Trails: Val di Fassa – This collection of routes is going to showcase some of the best trails in the northern Val di Fassa region. Not only known for its beautiful views but smooth terrain and high passes.
Long Trail: The Asiago Loop—This eMTB trail is not for the faint of heart. It is a challenge for many riders and covers all terrain, including gravel, trails, and even some road sections. It is best explored over multiple days.
Best eMTB trails in Slovenia
Incredible lush forests, clear blue lakes and alpine peaks abound in Slovenia. It might not be the first place you think to go in Europe for mountain biking, but it is really a hidden gem that many have yet to discover. Slovenia is quickly becoming a top destination for mountain biking, and we can see why after exploring these routes.
Short Trails: Notranjski Regijski Park - For short loops and micro-adventures, visiting the Notranjski Regijski Park is a great way to enjoy eMTB trail options in Slovenia. It offers great views, is not far from the capital, Ljubljana, and has amazing people.
Medium Trails: Bohinj Valley - With lake views and gentle paths through the forest, the stunning Bohinj Valley is a beautiful place to ride. It’s perfect for some scenic riding through a place that many mountain bikers have yet to see and enjoy.
Long Trail: Trans Slovenia – A long-distance route that comes either guided or non-guided. The Trans Slovenia trail takes in breathtaking views, small towns, and lots of the local culture.
Best eMTB trails in Bulgaria
Bulgaria's untamed landscape is the perfect place for mountain biking as far as MTB in Europe goes. Rugged trails wind through historic villages, mountain ranges, and thick forests, which are dense with options. Inland Bulgaria is a hidden mountain biking gem that we can't wait to tell you about.
Short Trails: Vitosha - Vitosha is just below the capital of Sofia in Bulgaria. It is renowned for its incredible beauty and great mountain biking routes. There are many options for climbing or technical routes and many short runs that can be done in a few hours.
Medium Trails: Rila Mountains - The Rila Mountains are one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful places, and for mountain biking, they are perfect. There are lots of great routes that take you out into the wilderness to enjoy the hidden places Bulgaria has to offer. Being mountainous, you can expect epic climbs and descents.
Best eMTB trails in the UK
Short trails: BikePark Wales – probably the UK’s greatest and most diverse selection of all-weather mountain bike trails. As the name indicates, this is a bikepark, with extremely well-maintained trails and a selection of difficulty levels, from beginners to double black diamond.
Medium trails: Comrie Croft, Scotland – Comrie Croft is a small village in Perthshire, Scotland, and is home to some of the best riding anywhere north of Hadrian’s Wall. there’s a trail center in the village, but also some amazing routes to be explored and uncovered in the wider woodland around. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous you could join one of the locals’ ‘night rides’, just remember to bring your lights!
Long trails: Pennine Bridleway – 330km (205 miles) of dedicated off-road cycling trail. This National Trail running through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria was specially designed to be used by horse riders and cyclists… Make sure you pack your climbing legs, as this route goes uphill and down dale all the way from start to finish.
Other notable places in Europe great for eMTB adventures!
We have mentioned a few amazing places for adventures in Europe with your eMTB above. However, Europe is a HUGE place with a great variety of both landscape and culture. If you’d like to go deeper into researching even more of the best places to ride electric mountain bikes in Europe, we can advise checking out the following spots.
All these countries offer an amazing experience for you to enjoy. If you are looking for great destinations, also speaking to your local mountain biking club is a great idea.
Tips for planning your European eMTB adventure
Always remember that you don’t need to have a set eMTB trail ready for you to go. With applications such as Komoot and RideWithGPS, you can search what other riders are doing and see routes that fellow enthusiasts have recommended. This allows you to create your own adventure and explore a country in your own unique way. TrailForks is a fantastic resource for getting insight into the quality, current condition and availability of trails – with user-submitted tips and hints. They also do a great job of signposting trails that are open to electric mountain bikes.
Top tips for eMTB in Europe
Finally before we go here are some top tips for eMTB and MTB in Europe!
The best eMTB for European all-mountain adventures
Regardless of whether you head for the iconic Alps, the Balkan backwoods, or the British bridleways, you want to set out on your adventure with the best equipment.
If you want to take on a broad variety of trails and get the most out of everything your chosen destination has to offer, you’ll need the power to get up steep hills, a long-lasting battery, and a bike that can handle technical terrain. The Amflow PL Carbon and PL Carbon Pro will be ideal for you when it comes to all-mountain biking.
Featuring a powerful motor with a peak power of 850w, and providing 105 nm of torque, a drive unit from the experts at DJI, an 800Wh battery giving up to 157 km autonomy, and full suspension combined with high-quality components, there’s very little it can’t handle.
Amflow PL
The Amflow PL electric mountain bike offers 850 watts of power in an ultra-light sub-20kg build. With an unrivaled combination of power, range, and weight, it delivers the ultimate ride.
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