La Scandibérique is the French section of EuroVelo 3. This European route crosses 7 countries over more than 5,400 kilometres. The journey starts in Trondheim, Norway, and takes you all the way to Cape Finisterre, Spain, via Santiago de Compostela. Discover some of the most famous pilgrimage routes in Europe along the Pilgrims' Cycle Route.
countries crossed
kilometres, from Trondheim to Cape Finisterre
UNESCO World Heritage sites
EuroVelo 3: which countries does it cross?
1
Scandinavia
EuroVelo 3 begins by crossing three Scandinavian countries: Norway, Sweden and then Denmark. To cross the Skagerrak strait, you will need to take a ferry between Gothenburg (Sweden) and Frederikshavn (Denmark).
2
Germany
The sea air will give you the strength to continue to Germany and the bustling city of Hamburg. The German section passes through many historic towns, including Bremen, Cologne and Aachen. Cultural stops that are truly worth the detour.
3
Belgium
Once you have crossed Germany, you will reach Belgium, with a compulsory stop in Liège, the “Cité ardente”. A legendary cycling country, home to races such as Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Tour of Flanders, you will soon find that “the flat country” does not live up to its nickname.
4
France
Once you arrive in France, after riding the stage Thuin – Maubeuge, you will cross 20 French départements and ride more than 1,700 kilometres before reaching Spain. You will cross the Franco-Spanish border a few kilometres from the famous medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
5
Spain
In Spain, you will follow the main stages of the pilgrimage, passing through Pamplona, Burgos and León. You will finish this magnificent adventure at Cape Finisterre, via the legendary city of Santiago de Compostela.
Details on how to reach La Scandibérique: via Belgium or via Spain.
Why cycle EuroVelo 3?
EuroVelo 3 gives you the chance to take in a wide variety of landscapes. Culturally, no fewer than 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites lie along the route. You will have plenty of opportunities to mix things up, enriching yourself and, above all, discovering new cultures. With 7 countries crossed, this European route is the perfect opportunity to discover yourself while meeting the locals. A human and sporting adventure of 5,400 kilometres that will let you fully recharge during an extraordinary journey. EuroVelo 3, the path that will take you far!
Reaching La Scandibérique via Belgium
In Belgium, the cycle route is fully developed and is part of the RAVeL network. Simply follow the RAVeL Sambre to reach Thuin and cross the border at Erquelinnes towards Maubeuge to continue your cycling adventure in France.
Visit the EuroVelo 3 website in BelgiumDownload the GPX track
The route in detail (north to south)
Leaving Aachen, EuroVelo 3 leads you towards Liège, the “Cité Ardente”. You will soon reach the highly symbolic “Three Borders” point between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. After about ten kilometres, you join the RAVeL on Line 38, which takes you through the hedgerow countryside of the Pays de Herve in a bright, green setting. Numerous viewpoints let you admire and enjoy the landscape.
After leaving the Liège metropolitan area, you follow the RAVeL along the Meuse and then the Sambre. You enjoy sweeping views of the rich historical, river and post-industrial heritage of these two valleys, as well as the cultural diversity of Wallonia in towns such as Namur and Charleroi. Before arriving in France, the restful atmosphere of the bucolic landscapes of the Haute Sambre brings you face to face with unexpected aquatic and bird life.
Going further: guidebooks
EuroVelo 3 Aachen–Paris guidebook (in German)
Get the latest guide from BVA to plan your EuroVelo 3 journey from Aachen to Paris. The German language should not be a major obstacle to enjoying the superb maps that only this publisher knows how to make! Order this guidebook
Esterbauer has also produced its own guidebook on the Aachen–Paris section of EuroVelo 3, published in 2022.
EuroVelo 3 maps
Belgien-Wallonie cycling tourist map (in German)
This map collection shows all the cycle routes in Wallonia, including the RAVeL network and EuroVelo 3. The legend is in German, but the map is easy to use without it. Order the map
Paris-Picardie cycling tourist map (in German)
This map shows the cycle network in the Hauts-de-France region. EuroVelo 3 plays a starring role on it, from its entry into France to Paris. Designed for German-speaking visitors, the map can nonetheless be used easily by everyone. Order the map
The EuroCyclo project
These resources were created as part of the EuroCyclo project. Bringing together around thirty French, Flemish and Walloon operators, the project builds on the exceptional growth of cycle tourism in Europe to create a high-quality tourism offer around the 3 major cross-border European routes (EuroVelo 3, 4 and 5) as well as routes of regional importance (Véloroute Nationale 30, Lys à vélo).
In parallel, the partners are rolling out node-point networks on both sides of the border to complete the cycling offer and enrich the cycling products available in the cross-border area.
Discover the full cross-border cycling offer on www.eurocyclo.eu.
Reaching La Scandibérique via Spain
In Spain, the cycle route is not yet developed. We nevertheless recommend 2 routes depending on the season.
In summer
In summer, you can take the path that passes through the sources of the Nive (the village of Esterençuby), the Orgambide pass, Orbaitzeta and Roncesvalles.
In winter
In winter, when the pass is snowed in, you will need to continue via the Arnéguy road, a route along the N135 that carries very heavy traffic and needs improvements. Best reserved for experienced cyclists, preferably on Sundays when traffic is lighter.
How to plan a route on EuroVelo 3?
EuroVelo 3 is not yet fully continuous across Europe, but some sections are already well developed. For all the practical information you need to plan your route on EuroVelo 3, see the dedicated page on the EuroVelo.com website. All the practical information on the French section of EuroVelo 3 can be found on this site dedicated to La Scandibérique.
