Top 10 Scenic Virtual Cycling Routes to Explore on Your Indoor Trainer
The whir of the flywheel, the drip of sweat on the top tube, the familiar blank wall of your garage... For years, this was the reality of indoor cycling. It was a necessary evil, a tool for maintaining fitness when the weather turned foul or time was short. But it was hardly inspiring.
Thankfully, those days are long gone. The revolution of smart trainers and virtual cycling platforms has transformed our pain caves into portals to a global cycling paradise. Now, you can trade that blank wall for the sun-drenched switchbacks of the Italian Alps or the volcanic landscapes of a digital world, all without leaving your home. This technology has been a game-changer for motivation, making structured training more engaging than ever.
So, where do you start? With countless routes available across platforms like Zwift, Rouvy, FulGaz, and Wahoo RGT, the choices can be overwhelming. That's why we've curated this list of the top 10 most scenic, challenging, and downright fun virtual cycling routes. It's time to pump up your tyres, log in, and explore the world from your saddle.
1. Alpe du Zwift, Watopia (Inspired by Alpe d'Huez, France)
Let's start with the undisputed icon of the virtual world. Alpe du Zwift is a near-perfect digital replica of the legendary Alpe d'Huez, a climb steeped in Tour de France history. This is a rite of passage for any serious Zwifter. The route takes you up a massive volcano through 21 hairpin bends, each one numbered and taunting you as you grind your way to the summit.
The genius of this route is how it gamifies a brutal effort. The scenery changes as you ascend, moving from lush green foothills through alpine forests and finally to the snow-dusted peak. Each turn offers a new vista and a brief moment of psychological relief. Reaching the top is a genuine achievement, and you're rewarded with a random prize at the "spinner," which could be a new set of virtual wheels or gloves.
- Platform: Zwift
- Stats: 12.2 km (7.6 miles), 1,036 m (3,399 ft) elevation, 8.5% average gradient.
- Pro Tip: Pacing is everything. Don't go out too hard on the lower slopes. Break the climb down mentally, focusing on reaching the next hairpin bend. It's a long, sustained effort, so fuel and hydrate as you would on a real-world epic.
2. Mont Ventoux, France
Known as "The Giant of Provence," Mont Ventoux is one of cycling's most revered and feared mountains. Its barren, lunar-like landscape near the summit creates an unforgettable and intimidating atmosphere. Thanks to platforms that use real-world video, you can experience this beast in stunning high-definition from the comfort of your trainer.
Riding Ventoux virtually is a lesson in perseverance. The climb from Bédoin is notoriously difficult, with a long, punishing section through the forest where the gradient rarely dips below 9%. As you break the treeline, you're hit with the iconic sight of the weather station at the summit. The virtual wind might not be real, but the sense of exposure and the sheer scale of the mountain certainly are. I was chatting with my friend Goh Ling Yong the other day, and we agreed that conquering a giant like Ventoux, even virtually, provides a massive mental boost for the rest of your training.
- Platforms: Rouvy, FulGaz, Bkool
- Stats (from Bédoin): 21.5 km (13.4 miles), 1,610 m (5,282 ft) elevation, 7.5% average gradient.
- Pro Tip: The middle section in the forest is the real crux of the climb. Settle into a sustainable rhythm here. Once you're out of the forest, the views open up, which can provide a much-needed lift for the final push to the summit.
3. Stelvio Pass, Italy
If you love switchbacks, the Stelvio Pass is your paradise. This Italian giant is famous for its wall of 48 hairpin turns on the Prato side, creating one of the most recognizable "spaghetti roads" in all of cycling. It's a visual masterpiece and a formidable physical challenge, making it a perfect candidate for a long virtual session.
The experience of riding the Stelvio on a platform like Rouvy or FulGaz is breathtaking. You get a true sense of the road snaking up the mountain ahead of you, with panoramic views of the Ortler Alps all around. Each turn of the pedals brings you higher, and looking down at the road you've already conquered is incredibly satisfying. It's less of a relentlessly steep grind and more of a rhythmic, hypnotic climb.
- Platforms: Rouvy, FulGaz
- Stats (from Prato): 24.3 km (15.1 miles), 1,808 m (5,932 ft) elevation, 7.4% average gradient.
- Pro Tip: Use the hairpins to your advantage. Briefly coming out of the saddle as you take the wide outside line can give your muscles a micro-rest and help you maintain momentum.
4. Cap de Formentor, Mallorca, Spain
Not every epic ride has to be a mountain-top finish. The route to the Cap de Formentor lighthouse in Mallorca is arguably one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. It’s a rolling ribbon of tarmac that clings to cliffsides, dives into valleys, and offers jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea at every turn.
This route is perfect for a day when you want a solid workout without a single, soul-crushing climb. The constantly changing gradients keep you engaged, forcing you to shift gears and vary your effort. The virtual ride captures the stunning scenery perfectly, from the turquoise water to the dramatic rock formations and the iconic lighthouse waiting at the end of the peninsula. It’s a true cyclist's playground.
- Platforms: Rouvy, FulGaz
- Stats: ~20 km (12.4 miles) one way, with significant rolling hills.
- Pro Tip: This is a great route for practicing your pacing on undulating terrain. Attack the short climbs but be sure to recover on the descents. The beauty of doing it virtually is you don't have to worry about tourist traffic!
5. Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds Course, USA
Want to feel what it’s like to race against the pros? The 2015 UCI World Championship course in Richmond, Virginia, is a modern classic, famous for its punchy, leg-sapping climbs and technical city circuit. It’s a fantastic route for a high-intensity workout or a virtual race.
The course is defined by three short but brutal hills: the 23rd Street climb with its brutal 19% sections, the cobbled Libby Hill, and the final drag up Governor Street to the finish line. Riding this circuit on Zwift is a thrilling experience, especially in a race or group ride. You learn quickly that positioning and timing your efforts are critical to survival. It’s a full-gas effort that will leave you breathless.
- Platform: Zwift
- Stats (per lap): 16.2 km (10.1 miles), 103 m (338 ft) elevation.
- Pro Tip: Save your energy for the final three climbs. Libby Hill is the most technical, so carry as much speed as you can onto the cobbles. The race is often won or lost on the final drag up Governor Street.
6. Sa Calobra, Mallorca, Spain
Another gem from the cycling paradise of Mallorca, Sa Calobra is an engineering marvel. It's a 10 km climb that coils back on itself through a series of dramatic switchbacks, including the famous 270-degree "tie-knot" curve. What makes it unique is that you have to descend it first, meaning the only way out is back up.
Virtually, this ride is just as spectacular. You get to enjoy the thrilling descent before turning around at the bottom to tackle the main event. The consistent gradient makes it a fantastic climb for steady-state efforts like FTP tests or sweet spot intervals. The surrounding Tramuntana mountain scenery is a constant, beautiful distraction from the burning in your legs.
- Platforms: Rouvy, FulGaz
- Stats: 9.5 km (5.9 miles), 670 m (2,198 ft) elevation, 7% average gradient.
- Pro Tip: Because you descend first, use that time to mentally prepare for the climb. Take note of the key bends and sections so you know what’s coming on the way back up.
7. Innsbruckring 2018 UCI Worlds Course, Austria
Host of the 2018 UCI World Championships, the Innsbruckring course combines a beautiful ride through the Austrian city with a truly monstrous climb. Most of the lap is relatively flat and fast, lulling you into a false sense of security before you hit the "Höll," which translates fittingly to "Hell."
This climb is a wall. It’s short, but it hits a maximum gradient of 28%, which will test the limits of your smart trainer and your legs. Surviving this climb lap after lap, as the pros did, is a monumental effort. It’s an excellent route for practicing explosive power. The reward is the fast descent and the scenic roll through the city before you have to face the beast again.
- Platform: Zwift
- Stats (per lap): 23.6 km (14.7 miles), 494 m (1,621 ft) elevation.
- Pro Tip: Approach the "Höll" with a bit of momentum, but be prepared to shift into your easiest gear almost immediately. This is an out-of-the-saddle, grind-it-out effort. Recovery on the rest of the lap is crucial.
8. Mount Fuji, Japan
For a change of scenery, why not head to the Far East and tackle the largest mountain in Japan? The climb up the Fuji Subaru Line is a long, steady ascent that takes you through dense forests with periodic, breathtaking glimpses of the iconic snow-capped volcanic cone.
The virtual experience offers a serene and almost meditative quality. The gradient is very consistent, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm and just spin the legs while taking in the unique Japanese landscape. It's less of a dramatic European pass and more of a steady, powerful pilgrimage. As my coach, Goh Ling Yong, emphasizes, these long, steady-state climbs are fantastic for building a deep aerobic base.
- Platforms: Rouvy, FulGaz
- Stats: 24 km (14.9 miles), 1,286 m (4,219 ft) elevation, 5.7% average gradient.
- Pro Tip: This is the perfect route for a "tempo" or "sweet spot" workout. The steady gradient means you can hold a specific power target for a very long time without interruption.
9. Crown Range Road, New Zealand
If you're a fan of epic, "Lord of the Rings" style landscapes, look no further than New Zealand. The climb over the Crown Range from Wanaka to Queenstown is the highest main road in the country, and it serves up some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.
This route is characterized by sweeping vistas of the Southern Alps and a series of challenging switchbacks near the summit. The real-world footage on platforms like FulGaz makes you feel like you're truly there, climbing through one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It's a tough climb, but the visual payoff is immense, making every pedal stroke worthwhile.
- Platforms: FulGaz, Rouvy
- Stats: ~10.5 km (6.5 miles), with an average gradient of around 4.3% but with much steeper sections.
- Pro Tip: The climb gets progressively steeper as you near the summit. Hold a little back in the first half so you have the energy to tackle the final, challenging hairpins with their double-digit gradients.
10. Volcano Climb, Watopia
We’ll bookend our list with another fantastic fictional route from the creative minds at Zwift. The Volcano Climb is a staple for many virtual riders. It's a short, punchy, and visually spectacular loop that takes you up, around, and right through the heart of Watopia's simmering volcano.
This route is perfect for when you're short on time but want a high-quality workout. The climb is steady enough for interval training, and the loop format makes it great for efforts of a set duration. Gliding through the glowing, crystal-laden lava tubes inside the volcano is a unique experience that you can only get in the virtual world. It’s pure, unadulterated fun.
- Platform: Zwift
- Stats (per lap, including lead-in): 22.8 km (14.2 miles), 203 m (666 ft) elevation.
- Pro Tip: The Volcano KOM is a popular segment for racers. If you’re feeling competitive, try to set a new personal best on the 3.75 km climb. It’s a great 5-10 minute effort to test your fitness.
Your Next Adventure Awaits
The world of virtual cycling has opened up a universe of possibilities for indoor training. Gone are the days of monotonous suffering; now, every session can be an adventure. Whether you want to test yourself on a legendary Tour de France climb, race a world championship course, or simply enjoy a scenic ride along a coastal highway, it's all just a few clicks away.
These ten routes are just the beginning. The real magic lies in exploring the vast libraries of roads and finding the ones that inspire you to get on the bike. So, what are you waiting for? Pick a route, start pedaling, and see where your indoor trainer can take you.
What are your favorite virtual cycling routes? Did I miss any must-ride gems? Share your top picks in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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