Amsterdam → Moscow by bike: the great EuroVelo 2 adventure
Crossing Europe by bike, connecting capitals, feeling the landscapes change kilometer after kilometer… On paper, EuroVelo 2, also called the “Capitals Route”, is one of the most beautiful cycling journeys in the world.
More than 5,000 km between Ireland and Moscow, 7 countries, 17 UNESCO sites, legendary cities such as London, Berlin or Warsaw…
But be careful: this European dream has limits. With the current international situation, it is now almost impossible to reach Moscow by bike.
👉 EuroVelo authorities clearly advise against crossing Belarus and Russia at the moment because of border and travel restrictions.
So what is this adventure really worth? And how far can you go today? Here is the complete guide.
🌍 EuroVelo 2 at a glance
- Distance: ~5,000 km
- Countries: Ireland, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia
- Level: Intermediate to advanced
- Type: Mix of cycle paths / open roads
⚠️ Key point: EuroVelo is not one continuous cycle path. Some sections are excellent… others are still “theoretical”.
🚧 Can you really go all the way to Moscow today?
Let’s be clear: no, not under normal conditions.
🇧🇾 Belarus
- Entry is heavily restricted
- Complex visa requirements
- EuroVelo route still under development
🇷🇺 Russia
- Borders are difficult or even closed
- Visa required + administrative constraints
- Limited cycling infrastructure
👉 In practice: most travelers currently stop in Poland (Warsaw).
💡 Alternative: some cyclists detour through the Baltic states or take a train/plane to “skip” the area.
🚴 Road quality (the real terrain)
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Cycling paradise:
- Separated paths everywhere
- Perfect signage
- Ultra safe
🇩🇪 Germany
- Very good cycle network
- Mix of paths / quiet roads
- Some less fun sections in rural areas
🇵🇱 Poland
- Variable quality
- Many shared roads
- Network improving quickly
🇧🇾 🇷🇺 East
- Almost no infrastructure
- Standard roads with traffic
- Sections still planned
👉 Honest summary: the farther east you go, the more adventurous it becomes.
⛺ Camping & accommodation
Western Europe
- Frequent campsites
- Price: €10–25
- Very active Warmshowers community
Eastern Europe
- Fewer official campsites
- Wild camping often tolerated (outside protected areas)
- Cheap accommodation (€10–30)
💡 Tip: always ask in villages → the welcome is often excellent.
🔥 Safety & risks
- Western Europe: very safe
- Poland: sometimes dense traffic
- East: isolation + language + logistics
👉 The real danger is not crime, but:
- long distances without resupply
- shared roads with trucks
🍽️ Travel cost
- Netherlands / Germany: €40–80/day
- Poland: €20–50/day
- East: €10–30/day
👉 Tip: the East is much cheaper… but more demanding.
🌟 10 spots not to miss
- Amsterdam – iconic start
- London – legendary urban crossing
- Snowdonia (UK) – wild landscapes
- The Hague – Dutch coast
- Berlin – historic and modern vibe
- Potsdam – palaces and parks
- Poznań – colorful center
- Warsaw – impressive rebirth
- Białowieża Forest – unique primeval nature
- Moscow – Red Square (if accessible)
🧠 Practical tips
- Download the official GPX (some sections are not signposted)
- Plan a GPS → essential
- Gravel bike recommended
- Check borders before leaving
👉 Important: some parts of EuroVelo are more “suggestions” than real routes.
🚀 Conclusion
Amsterdam → Moscow by bike remains a legendary adventure… but today it is incomplete.
👉 The realistic version in 2026:
- ✔ Amsterdam → Berlin → Warsaw = exceptional
- ❌ Warsaw → Moscow = very complicated, even impossible
But good news:
Even shortened, this route remains one of Europe’s most beautiful cycling journeys.
And maybe precisely… even more interesting when you truly understand the terrain.