EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance cycling routes criss-crossing Europe, with 2 more in early construction across various stages of completion.
EuroVelo routes can be used for bicycle touring across the continent, as well as by local people making short journeys.
[4] The idea of creating a network of international cycle routes spanning Europe started in 1995.
It was initially coordinated by the ECF, De Frie Fugle (Denmark) and Sustrans (UK) and the original plan was to create 12 long-distance cycling routes.
Despite sometimes tight financial constraints, the EuroVelo project has already begun to fulfil the vision of its founders with sections of the network being implemented in countries as far apart as Finland, Cyprus, Spain and the UK.
[6] Stretching the length of the continent, from North Cape, Norway to Valença, Portugal, the EV1 connects Norway, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales, the West Country of England, France, Spain and Portugal.
It then passes through Italy (more closely following Sigeric's route) to Rome before continuing on to the Adriatic port city of Brindisi.
On the state of the route there is an OpenStreetMap wiki page [16] EV11 connects (theoretically) Norway's North Cape with Athens.
It features in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest unbroken signposted cycling route.
[19] EV15, with an overall length of about 1,320 km (820 mi) passes through four countries from the headwaters of the Rhine in Andermatt in the Swiss Alps to the estuary in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, via France [20] and Germany.