Award Winning Active Holidays
Big descents, bigger views.
Thrilling downhills, spectacular views, and the all-important endorphin rush – an inclusive mountain biking holiday at one of our Beach Clubs is an epic experience. A mountain biking holiday in Europe means you'll be riding along stunning coastlines and through national parks and rolling countryside. The mountain biking possibilities are endless.
With guided mountain bike rides every day, there’s no need to map your trail – just turn up and ride. Or if you fancy hitting the road and eating up some miles, check out our road cycling holidays to mix things up. On a Neilson Beach Club holiday, there are routes to cater for all abilities and fitness levels, from mountain biking holidays for beginners to experienced cyclists.
Book one of our mountain biking holidays in Europe by contacting our team today.
Different Ways To Ride
Get On Your Bike
Guided mountain biking
If navigation isn't your strong point, then our guided mountain biking holidays are the answer. Our bike team does most of the hard work for you. All our rides are fully guided so you can just turn up and ride. You can focus on your fitness or take it easy while enjoying the view.
Every Beach Club has a variety of rides mapped out and the team will take the time to make sure you're happy and comfortable on the bikes. You'll receive guidance on all parts of the ride if you need it.
To get riding straight away, sign up for a ride with the bike team at the welcome meeting. After completing your first ride, more can be booked with the bike team.
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Free riding
Prefer the idea of a self-guided mountain biking holiday? Doing your own thing has never been easier, safer or more accessible. Bikes are available to use at any point during the day, and one of our team will always be on hand at the cycling centre to advise and assist with routes and bike mechanics.
Our use of the popular cycling and running smartphone app Strava has made free riding easier than ever. All our routes are now available through destination-specific Strava pages.
We provide secure phone mounts to ensure the safety of your phone, giving you the flexibility to explore your mountain biking holiday destination at your own pace. If you need advice on how to use the tech, speak to one of the bike team at your Beach Club.
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Beginner Mountain Biking Holidays
Available at all Beach Clubs (except Turkey and Mauritius), our 'green' rides are leisurely and achievable for everybody on a mountain biking holiday. Ride to nearby beaches, villages, and tavernas, with distances varying from 5km up to 10km. You can get riding tips from the bike team or join an introduction session.
A small step up, our ‘blue’ rides take you further afield and may include slightly harder terrain. Blue rides vary from 10km to 25km and will take you inland to villages or along the coast.
We're proud to offer beginner and improver mountain biking holidays everyone can enjoy. Check our activity levels for mountain biking and other activities.
Intermediate and expert mountain biking
For more adventurous and technical mountain biking holidays, speak to our bike team about 'red' level rides at our Beach Clubs. You’ll venture far and wide – and it's a fantastic way to explore more of your holiday destination with technical ascents and descents.
If you're up for something longer, steeper, and even more challenging, give our 'black' rides a go, they're guaranteed to make you work hard.
Red and black mountain bike routes are available in Levante Beach Club, Vounaki, Cosmos, Messini, Buca and Baia dei Mori Beach Clubs. They are perfect for those looking for intermediate and expert mountain biking holidays. Look at our activity levels for mountain biking and other activities.
Family mountain biking holidays
Families will be well-catered for during your holiday. Our bike team have scouted out the perfect routes for a family ride. We have junior bikes suitable for 9 to 12-year-olds and XS mountain bikes, ideal for 13+ years.
If you’ve got a budding teenage mountain biker who wants to go further, we will also offer teen rides during the school holidays. All teens need to fit our standard mountain bikes. Those aged 14+ can join guided bike rides with an adult if their ability matches the available routes.
For the little ones (2-8), we have kids' bikes for use in the Beach Club. Remember, with our kids' clubs, you can head out on the mountain biking trails knowing they'll be enjoying themselves while you enjoy some time to yourself.
Our Mountain Bikes
We have a fleet of mountain bikes that are perfect for getting you round trails.
MTB's
- Trek X-Caliber 9 MTB - Available at Messini, Buca and Baia dei Mori
- Trek X-Caliber 9 MTB - Available at Alana, Vounaki and Levante Beach Club
- Trek Roscoe 7 - Available at Cosmos Beach Club in Greece
- Trek Pro-Caliber 6 MTB - Available at Neilson x Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort in Sicily
e-MTBs
- Powerfly 4 625 Gen 4 – Available at Alana and Baia de Mori Beach Clubs
- Trek Marlin 6+ - Neilson x Cook's Club Adakoy
- Trek Marlin 8+ - Neilson x Mangia's Torre del Barone Resort and Neilson x The Ravenala Attitude
Mountain Biking In Greece
The spiritual home of Neilson mountain biking, with five Beach Clubs to choose from. Tackle valleys and mountainous terrain on rides for every level, from leisurely green spins to nearby tavernas right up to technical red and black routes. Head to Levante on Rhodes, Messini and Buca in Analipsi, Vounaki in Paleros or Cosmos in Vassiliki.
Mountain Biking In Croatia
Zip along gravelly roads from Alana Beach Club in Paklenica. Green and blue rides suit everyone, and there's an e-bike fleet if you fancy a helping hand on the hills.
Mountain Biking In Sardinia
From Baia dei Mori in Budoni, take on hill climbs rewarded with sweeping views of the sea. With everything from gentle coastal rides to more technical routes, it's a brilliant all-rounder for mixed-ability groups.
Mountain Biking In Turkey
At Neilson x Cook's Club Adakoy , hop on your mtb or e-mtb and explore the pine-fringed peninsula on two wheels, with pedal assist to flatten out the climbs.
Our Beach Clubs
Top Beach Clubs For Mountain Biking
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News And Articles
Inspired By Good Energy
From expert tips and travel stories to guest favourites – here's where the energy lives on, long after the beach towels been packed away.
Mountain biking vs road cycling
Welcome to the great debate! Mountain bikers will talk to you for hours about the merits of their chosen sport, while roadies will do the same for their beloved road machines. Which is your favourite way of getting about on 2 wheels? We’re here to give a balanced view and debunk a few myths at the same time, pedal this way…
Mountain biking in Rhodes: The 6 best routes
Most people visiting Rhodes don’t go mountain biking. They’re too busy sipping cocktails on sun loungers or wandering round the old town, gelato in hand. And as much as that’s great - they’re missing out. BIG TIME!They’re missing out exploring the rugged, pine-scented trails where the only traffic, you’re likely to encounter is a stray mountain goat and the only noise you’ll hear is crunch of limestone under your tyres. Yep, when you think about it Rhodes isn’t really for sun-seekers. Rhodes is for mountain bikers. Those who prefer two-wheels, thick treads and loose gravel over sun-loungers.If that sounds like you, then you’re in luck because we’ve pulled together a list of the best mountain biking in Rhodes. So, grab your helmet, put some air in the tyres and get ready to hit the trails.
Cycling in Greece: The Complete Guide
Picture this. You've spent the last hour with your quads on fire, grinding your way up a sun-baked climb. But you're over the top now. You're cruising down a winding coastal road, the Aegean glittering below, a warm breeze on your back, and there's a little taverna at the bottom with your name on it. Fanta Limon. Maybe a cold Mythos. You've earned it.That's cycling in Greece. And while everyone else is packing their bikes off to Majorca or Girona, Greece remains something of a hidden gem — one that delivers island loops, mountain climbs, quiet back roads and jaw-dropping coastal descents in equal measure.Whether you're a seasoned road cyclist chasing KOMs, a mountain biker after epic trails, or someone who just fancies pedalling between pretty villages with a coffee stop in between, Greece has it all. This guide covers everything you need to know. The terrain, the best regions, when to go, what to pack, and how to make it happen.
Everything you need to know about mountain biking
Always fancied giving mountain biking a go but not sure if it’s for you? We’ve got good news: mountain biking is for everyone. Consider it official. The prospect of venturing off-road can seem daunting, but the truth is mountain biking has never been more accessible. From gentle novice trails to guides to show you the ropes, there’s plenty to help you take the plunge into this highly addictive sport. We’ve put together all the essential info and mountain biking tips for beginners.
Help And Support
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many benefits to off-road cycling – and a mountain biking holiday allows you to enjoy them while riding through idyllic settings. You can zip along gravelly fire roads in Croatia, take on hill climbs to soak up views of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Sardinia and tackle valleys and mountainous terrain in Greece.
A mountain biking holiday is perfect for anyone with a taste for adventure. But that’s not to say you can't take it easy. At Buca and Messini Beach Clubs, choose electric bikes for extra power on hill climbs. You can also mix up mountain biking with other activities such as tennis, yoga, paddle boarding and dinghy sailing - or mountain bike all day if you'd prefer.
If you plan to take on more physically demanding, technical routes you may want to do some prep beforehand. It may be sensible to ride frequently in the weeks leading up to your mountain bike trip so you can build your stamina. Cross-training, such as squatting with weights at the gym, will also help to build muscle endurance. Spinning classes will boost your fitness and yoga will help your posture and reduce the likelihood of injury. Check out our handy guide to help you get ready for your mountain biking holiday on the Neilson hub:
Mountain biking is a sport involving off-road cycling across rough terrain, on dedicated trails through woodland and on other off-road or cross-country routes. There are several differences between mountain biking and road cycling. With the former, riders benefit from shifting their weight and keeping their bodies loose to manoeuvre the bike, whereas road cyclists will focus on generating speed and power using the bike's pedals.
Mountain bikes are capable of riding off-road, as they have suspension to absorb the bumps created by uneven trails. They also have lower ratio gears to help you tackle steep hill climbs. A mountain biking holiday is a great way to stay active and boost your fitness!
Ready to book your next mountain biking holiday with us? Rest assured that we have over 40 years of experience in arranging holidays for happy customers. We have over 1,000 5-star reviews to prove this. We've also won British Travel Awards across a range of categories and our flight-inclusive trips are ATOL protected.
Check out the Neilson Hub to find out about group mountain biking or how to get in shape to get the most out of your mountain biking trip. Then, when you're happy to book, get in touch with our team.