Activity Levels Explained: How We Grade Every Tour in Our Portfolio

We grade all our cycling tours using a single scale. The activity level covers both the physical effort and the technical demands of a tour. When we determine it, we look at four things:

• Daily distance – how far you cycle each day

• Daily elevation – how much climbing is included in total

• Climbing – how steep, how long, and how sustained the individual climbs are

• Infrastructure and/or terrain – what types of roads and paths you ride on, from dedicated cycling paths to busy main roads, and from smooth asphalt to rough gravel

These four factors affect each other. A 50-kilometer ride on a flat cycling path is very different from a 50-kilometer ride with 600 meters of climbing on steep, winding roads — even though the distance is the same.

In the same way, a shorter route on rough gravel with several sharp climbs can be harder than a longer one on smooth asphalt through gentle terrain.

For this reason, the numbers we provide for each level are reference ranges, not strict boundaries. Our cycling experts assess each tour as a whole, taking into account how these four factors work together, which means a tour's rating can sometimes be higher or lower than the numbers alone would suggest.

The length of the tour also plays a small role — a 13-day tour is naturally more tiring than a 4-day one. Still, we focus mainly on daily stages, because how much you can handle in a single day matters more than the number of consecutive days. After two or three days on the bike, most people's bodies adjust to the routine.

To make each level easier to picture, we also include estimated daily cycling times. These are not separate factors but a practical reference that shows how the four aspects above come together on a typical day.

How We Grade Activity Levels

1/5 – Very Easy

• Daily distance: 10-30 kilometers

• Daily elevation: up to 100 meters

• Daily cycling time: up to 2 hours

Climbing: These tours are flat. There are no real climbs, and the terrain stays level throughout. You may encounter a gentle slope here and there, but nothing that requires any effort beyond normal pedalling.

Infrastructure: You ride on dedicated cycling paths, quiet side roads, or smooth, compact gravel roads. Traffic is minimal, and the surfaces are easy to ride on as they are well-maintained.

Who is it for: These tours are designed for comfort and enjoyment, making them accessible to anyone who can ride a bike, regardless of experience or fitness level. Daily distances and especially elevation gains are minimal, the pace is leisurely, and there are ample opportunities to pause. They are perfect for beginners, families, older adults, or anyone seeking a truly relaxed holiday.

2/5 – Easy

• Daily distance: 25-45 kilometers

• Daily elevation: up to 300 meters

• Daily cycling time: 1-3 hours

Climbing: The terrain is gently undulating rather than flat. You can expect short hills with an elevation gain of around 50 meters in one push and grades mostly below 5%. These climbs are brief and manageable, and you will have plenty of time to recover between them.

Infrastructure: You ride on cycling paths, quiet side roads, and smooth compact gravel roads, similar to level 1. Occasionally, the route may include short sections on low-traffic main roads, but these are the exception rather than the norm.

Who is it for: These tours are ideal for casual cyclists seeking a bit more adventure. The distances are slightly longer, and the terrain is no longer completely flat, but the effort remains comfortable for anyone with a basic level of fitness. If you enjoy cycling casually on weekends or use a bike to get around in daily life, you should have no trouble at all. These tours remain a great choice for beginners, families, and older adults who want a little more variety in the landscape without a significant step up in difficulty.

3/5 – Moderate

• Daily distance: 40-60 kilometers

• Daily elevation: 100-600 meters

• Daily cycling time: 2-4 hours

Climbing: The climbs become noticeably longer, with individual hills reaching up to approximately 200 meters of elevation gain and grades of up to 8–10%. These are no longer short bumps in the road — they require a steady effort to get through.

Infrastructure: The roads and paths are similar to level 2, but with more frequent sections on main roads carrying heavier traffic. Gravel surfaces, where present, can be rougher and less even than on easier tours. Overall, you should be comfortable sharing the road with other vehicles.

Who is it for: An active person with some cycling experience is the right fit for these tours. You don't need to be a trained cyclist, but you should know that your body can handle a few hours on the bike and a solid climb or two during the day. If you stay active and feel comfortable on a bike, you should manage well. These tours are not recommended for non-active travelers, complete beginners, or those who haven't been on a bike in several years and don’t trust their bike-handling skills.

4/5 – Demanding

• Daily distance: 55-75 kilometers

• Daily elevation: 300-1000 meters

• Daily cycling time: 3-5 hours

Climbing: The climbs are longer and steeper than at level 3, with some individual ascents reaching up to 500 meters of elevation gain and grades of up to 12–14%. Not every climb will be this demanding, but you should be prepared for sustained efforts during the day and know how to pace yourself on a long uphill.

Infrastructure: The routes run largely on main and side roads, with almost no dedicated cycling paths. Many roads are steep and winding, especially on mountain passes. The asphalt can be rougher and less well-maintained than on easier tours, with occasional potholes or cobblestone sections. Descending on these roads requires solid bike handling skills — you need to be confident braking and steering through tight, fast turns. Gravel routes may also include rougher or steeper terrain.

Who is it for: A regular cyclist with good fitness and confidence on the bike is who these tours are designed for. You should be familiar with longer rides and comfortable tackling steeper climbs without needing to stop frequently. No specialized training is required beyond consistency. However, these tours are not the right starting point for someone who cycles occasionally. If unsure, we recommend starting with a level 3 tour first.

5/5 – Very Demanding

• Daily distance: 70+ kilometers

• Daily elevation: 1000+ meters

• Daily cycling time: 4+ hours

Climbing: These tours are often designed around big climbs — they take you through the most spectacular mountain scenery and reward you with unforgettable descents. Individual ascents can reach up to 1,500 meters of elevation gain with grades of up to 20%. Some days feature multiple major climbs one after another.

Infrastructure: The routes primarily follow main roads through mountainous terrain, with steep, winding sections on both the ascents and descents. Road surfaces can vary, including rougher asphalt, cobblestones, and gravel sections. You need to be fully in control of your bike at all times, especially when descending at speed through sharp turns.

Who is it for: These tours are designed for cycling enthusiasts looking for a challenge. They feature long mountain climbs, big distances, and demanding descents because that is exactly what the people who book them want. If you love being on the bike all day, get excited about a mountain pass, and consider a hard climb the highlight of your ride, these tours are made for you. If not, however, you can get a taste of this on level-four tours without it being an essential part of every stage.

What About E-bikes?

An e-bike is not a motorbike or a moped. It is a pedal-assist bicycle — the motor only engages when you pedal, and it adjusts its support based on the effort you put in. You still cycle, and you still get exercise. The difference is that the motor takes the edge off the hard parts, especially climbs and headwinds.

An e-bike mainly reduces the physical effort of a tour. It does not change the roads you ride on, the surfaces you encounter, or the bike handling skills required on steep descents. A level 4 tour will feel closer to a level 3 in terms of effort, but the infrastructure and descents remain just as demanding. You still need to be comfortable with the types of roads described for that level.

This is especially worth considering for level 3 and level 4 tours. Many of them lead through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery we offer — terrain that would be a shame to miss simply because the climbs feel out of reach.

An e-bike makes these tours accessible to people who might not have the fitness for them otherwise, without taking anything away from the experience. You will still arrive at your destination pleasantly tired and ready for a good meal — just without the feeling that your legs have nothing left to give.

E-bikes are also a great solution for couples, families, or groups where people have different fitness levels. Instead of one person struggling to keep up or the other holding back, an e-bike balances the difference, letting everyone enjoy the same tour at the same pace. They are equally useful for older adults or anyone recovering from an injury who still wants an active holiday on two wheels.

Most e-bikes used on cycling tours carry batteries between 500 and 750 Watt hour batteries, which comfortably cover 80–120 kilometers on flat to moderate terrain. In the mountains, however, with frequent and sustained climbing, the range can drop to as little as 50 kilometers.

Therefore, for level 5 tours, we do not recommend e-bikes. The distances and climbs are too long for the battery to last a full day, and running out of power halfway through a mountain stage would make the rest of the ride significantly harder than planned.

What Now?

Now that you understand how we grade our cycling tours, you can browse our full selection with confidence.

To help you find the right fit, we have put together a few guides that will answer any remaining questions and doubts you still may have: