The best long-distance cycle routes..!

North Sea Cycle Route

Another of EuroVelo's epic paths, the North Sea Cycle Route (EV12) requires several ferry crossings to complete, taking riders from the far north of Scotland, down the east coast of Britain, across to the Hook of Holland, along the coast to Denmark, over to Sweden and round the Norwegian coastline to Bergen, before returning to

Britain via the Orkneys and Shetlands.

See www.northsea-cycle.com

Plans for a 422-mile cycle path linking Venice with Turin were given the backing of tourism ministers in Italy last week. The VenTo route would follow the course of the Po river, passing through towns such as Valenza, Pavia, Cremona, Boretto and Ferrara en route to the Adriatic.

Here we look at other long-distance bike paths around the world...

C2C - Whitehaven to Sunderland

The C2C cycle route from Whitehaven to Sunderland is one of Britain's most popular routes, taking riders 140 miles through the Lake District, including the town of Keswick, past Penrith and over the Pennines to Stanhope and - eventually - the North Sea. At least two days are needed, three or four if you rather take your time.

The West Country Way

This is the best possible way for a cyclist to grasp the range of scenic pleasures available in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The 252-mile route from Padstow to Bristol and Bath includes Bodmin Moor, Exmoor and more. Allow four to six days.

See www.westcountryway.co.uk

The Pacific Coast Route

Taking cyclists from Vancouver to the US border with Mexico, this route includes landscapes ranging from frozen mountains to southern Californian beaches. See www.adventurecycling.org/cyclosource-store/route-maps/pacific-coast-route. Adventurous pedallers in the US can also attempt the 4,262-mile TransAmerica Trail, the East Coast Greenway (www.greenway.org), or the Mississippi River Trail (www.mississippirivertrail.org/index.html).