Touring - Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

On my recent tour of the UK, I came across the designation "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" or AONB. I even rode through one (Forest of Bowland).

It got me thinking of what other areas I'd ridden through I would rank as AONBs.

I came up with a list of 12:

California's Big Sur Coast
Gorges du Tarn, France
Acadia National Park in Maine
The Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat, Gloucestershire, England
Switzerland
Clear Lake, Oregon
Speen Bridge to Kingussie, Scotland
Swan Valley, Idaho and the Snake River, Wyoming.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Carson Pass and the Hope Valley in California
Payette River valley to Stanley, Idaho
Maine in Autumn

I wrote an article describing each place and a photo (http://www.biketouringtips.com/showTipComments.php?tipID=1779) if you'd like to know more.

I'd be interesting in areas that you've ridden through that you'd rate as AONB.

Ray

Haven't biked through either, but the Grand Tetons are amazing of course, and I really, really love the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding mountains. Go over toward West Virginia and it gets even better.

And yeah, any place on the East Coast gets turned up to 11 in October or so (maybe further north it happens in September but around here it's October to mid November)

Kalispell, Montana to Jasper, AB. You can stick to the highway or take sections on forest roads to avoid the crowds. Lots of wildlife, forests, lakes, rivers and mountains await the hardy cycle tourist. I had one close run-in with brown bears that did not become serious, and if I went again I would bring a bear bell and bear spray.

Cabot trail, Nova Scotia:
http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s1/v56/p1126021586-3.jpg (http://www.borealphoto.com/p333531444/e431db9d2)

Newfoundland's northern peninsula:
http://www.borealphoto.com/img/s4/v67/p1126029438-3.jpg (http://www.borealphoto.com/p333531444/e431dd87e)

Anywhere you get to the coast in Newfoundland is outstanding. I would add the Labrador Coastal Drive as well.
The south shore of the St-Lawrence river east of Quebec City and the Gaspé peninsula are quite a ride.
Many regions of Quebec are beautiful in autumn, especially the Eastern Township and Megantic regions. I guess that's true for much of Eastern Canada and New England.
Icefield Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, although I haven't toured on bike there, yet.

Gorgeous photos, Erick. And for me they bring back fond memories of travels in Quebec! Our trips to places like Perce, Quebec City, Montreal, and points in between were wonderful. Great people too. I'm sorry it's been so long since I've been there - hard to believe it's been over 20 years!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtOrwAE0BrQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQEnbhgDOj4&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

The Canadian Rockies ... specifically, the David Thompson Highway (Hwy 11). That has to be my #1 Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it is combined with the most beautiful cycling highway I've ever set wheel on.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2620584436_7b7300ea39_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/72157619203595712/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/1520543402_ca178d86ed_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/72157619203595712/)
(Click photos for link to Icefield Parkway and Hwy 11 photo collection)

The Japan Alps (basically anywhere from Nikko to Gujo Hachiman), which may be my all-time favourite cycling route.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=176390&v=5V&part=2
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=183221&v=2n

The North-west coast of Scotland
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=57587&v=G0
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=57593&v=Fm

The Coromandel Peninsula and Te Urawera National Park on New Zealand's North Island
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=96361&v=Dj
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=96587&v=De
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=97741&v=Dd

Fjordland, the West Coast, and probably most of New Zealand's South Island
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=30958&v=B2
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=31139&v=B8

Tasmania's west coast, although Bruny Island, Maria Island and The Tasman Peninsula on the East aren't bad either.

Rishiri-To, Japan.

The Border Ranges of Northern NSW and Southern Qld in Australia (albeit a little spread out and not so well known to cycle-tourists).

Go over toward West Virginia and it gets even better.
Riding along the Cheat River was the best section of my NC-PA tour a few years ago.
West Fork rail trail also excellent in WV.

214023Glacier National Park214022

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davez2007/3676639154/in/set-72157620763740044

There are also a lot of beautiful places along the coast here in Victoria and into South Australia

Between Inverloch and Cape Paterson, in Victoria (we were cycling there a couple weekends ago)
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5969598939_8a54423c76.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/72157602419256784/)

Near Victor Harbor, in South Australia (we spent Easter cycling around this area)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5669651056_ba59ba5b59.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/72157602419256784/)

Near Port Fairy, in the western part of Victoria (we've been there twice because we really like that area)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4318026277_f45447a850.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/collections/72157602419256784/)

And of course ... the Great Ocean Road!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4331392361_2513b512cf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157623312198466/)

I love cycling along the ocean. :)

Newfoundland's northern peninsula:
http://www.borealphoto.com/Cycling/Atlantic-Canada/Photos/DSC2062b/362754533_K2ZGN-S-5.jpg (http://www.borealphoto.com/Cycling/Atlantic-Canada/Photos/DSC2062b/362754533_K2ZGN-L-5.jpg)

Anywhere you get to the coast in Newfoundland is outstanding. I would add the Labrador Costal Drive as well.
The south shore of the St-Lawrence river east of Quebec City and the Gaspé peninsula are quite a ride.
Many regions of Quebec are beautiful in autumn, especially the Eastern Township and Megantic regions. I guess that's true for much of Eastern Canada and New England.
Icefield Parkway in the Canadian Rockies, although I haven't toured on bike there, yet.

Whoa. I'm sold on Newfoundland.

Oregon's Coast attracts people from around the world,
so tough to get those empty road photos, here.

North Cascades Highway

Blue ridge parkway, when the leaves begin to turn

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/47257/2916833560046505395S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2916833560046505395gRFbcO)
Highway 550. The Million Dollar Highway over Red Mountain Pass from Ouray to Silverton, Colorado.


http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/21089/2726222900046505395S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2726222900046505395YhrlCN)
Disappointment Valley in western Colorado.


http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/45808/2852775310046505395S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2852775310046505395ksmBop)
Canyon of the Dolores River, near Gateway, Colorado.


http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/1603/2281649290046505395S500x500Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2281649290046505395MmOBIB)
Unaweep Canyon, near Grand Junction, Colorado.


These were all from a 12 day trip we did in 2008.

The Oregon Coast
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/P0007334.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/capeperpetua.jpg

Oregon's Willamette Valley

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/IMGP1682.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/Rowtrail2.jpg

Utah's Canyon Country

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/Arches6.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/DeadHorse.jpg

Utah's Canyon Country

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d126/telehammer/Arches6.jpg



YES!!

That looks like Arches National Park or vacinity. I can see the Dewey Bridge Member of the Entrada Formation (the rumply layered section just above ground level.) The Slickrock Member of the Entrada Fm is just above it.

Sorry. I couldn't help myself. I love eastern Utah geology.

Spot on, that is the road inside Arches NP, a fine 50 mile ride out and back from downtown Moab.

Strangely I have not done that ride.
I've ridden the Potash Road and the road up to Canyonlands.
I have spent a bit of time in Arches as a geology student. Klondike Bluffs and the Syncline are most interesting.

just about any sunset in alaska

We just finished the Canadian section of the GDMBR and it was pretty amazing. I have never stopped this much on any tour to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

Norway would be my first choice for my next tour if time and money allowed. I came across this flickr set a while ago and have to share. He takes some fantastic photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37334990@N00/sets/72157624639023974/

You may not believe this but here me out. I just finished a coast to coast and visited several of the places mentioned. I think some areas of the Texas Panhandle should merit consideration. Specifically Palo Duro Canyon and areas along the "Caprock". I think the scenery is every bit as good as the Badlands and parts of NE Wyoming.

Admittedly, it is not a destination you would probably want to cycle "to", as the area all around is flat, boring, and windy. Sorry I don't have any pictures but you can google Palo Duro Canyon and Caprock and decide for yourself.

Also add Ten Sleep Canyon to the list.
http://keithreed.smugmug.com/photos/i-sscsGgd/0/L/i-sscsGgd-L.jpg

Four days on the eastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State felt like just dipping a toe into the AONB's around there.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1r4vFZo&doc_id=9262&v=1n

I'll second Switzerland, now that we've been there, but also add that the French alps around Chamonix are outstanding ...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8083014901_6d6e8b7e3e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157631598534353/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8083154693_e5d17573af_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157631598534353/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8075287172_042bc5a586_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157631598534353/)


But we also found parts of Hokkaido to be quite attractive ..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7593336704_a900d8a315_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157630063348587/)


And areas of Scotland were beautiful ...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7796540656_a86a4ecc4d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157630125688286/)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7826180388_e3f31c417e_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/machka-bb/sets/72157630125688286/)

Machka, those photos are lovely, but why are you resurrecting all these old threads? You have one for your trip, right?

Machka, those photos are lovely, but why are you resurrecting all these old threads? You have one for your trip, right?

I like to see other people's photos too. :)

We're hoping to travel through Utah's canyon country and along the Oregon coast ... the areas Shifty has posted photos of.

On my recent tour of the UK, I came across the designation "Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" or AONB. I even rode through one (Forest of Bowland).

It got me thinking of what other areas I'd ridden through I would rank as AONBs.

I came up with a list of 12:

California's Big Sur Coast
Gorges du Tarn, France
Acadia National Park in Maine
The Forest of Dean and Symonds Yat, Gloucestershire, England
Switzerland
Clear Lake, Oregon
Speen Bridge to Kingussie, Scotland
Swan Valley, Idaho and the Snake River, Wyoming.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
Carson Pass and the Hope Valley in California
Payette River valley to Stanley, Idaho
Maine in Autumn

I wrote an article describing each place and a photo (http://www.biketouringtips.com/showTipComments.php?tipID=1779) if you'd like to know more.

I'd be interesting in areas that you've ridden through that you'd rate as AONB.

Ray

I was looking through your articles ... they could be a good resource for nancysv and her question about week-long tours in the US. But I was especially interested in your "Idaho to Wyoming from Swan Valley to Wolf Creek Campground" report: http://www.biketouringtips.com/showDailyEntryDetail.php?entryID=145 I like the scenery!

And this one, "Banner Pass from Crouch, ID to Stanley, ID": http://www.biketouringtips.com/showDailyEntryDetail.php?entryID=137 Again, I like the scenery. I'm not particularly familiar with the mountains of the US.

Very tempting to head down into that area in a week or two, snow or no snow.

Machka,

If you have a chance to ride around Stanley, ID, with the Sawtooth Mountains in the background, do it.

http://www.biketouringtips.com/Graphics/Oregon-Wyoming.2009/7.22.09/IMG_0684.JPG

Banner Pass was also fabulous when I was there in July. I would think it might be cold and snowy about now. If you do go, spend time in Stanley (a good place for hub and spoke tours?). Reserve a place to stay before you go as there aren't all that many lodging options and they were all full when I arrived. Sleeping in the barren, side of the road, campground in November would be a challenge.

In fact, the ride along the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway (The Banks-Lowman Road off Highway 55) all the way to Stanley, ID was fantastic. And, I liked the little town of Crouch.


The ride from Swan Valley, ID to Jackson, WY was also wonderful. There isn't much to do in Swan Valley, though.

I got the route I followed from John Egan/Jamawani. If you have an interest in riding in this area, send him a PM for more ideas, especially with winter coming.

Thanks for reminding me of such good time and wonderful places!

Ray