The Best Scenic Bike Routes in the US for Stunning Landscape Photography
Cycling and landscape photography share a unique connection—both are about experiencing and capturing the beauty of the world around us, but with a different pace and perspective. Cycling allows you to cover more ground than walking while remaining immersed in the surroundings, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning landscapes. For photographers, the freedom of cycling combined with the ability to explore remote or hard-to-reach locations opens up countless possibilities for memorable shots.
Why Scenic Bike Routes Are Ideal for Capturing Stunning Natural Landscapes
The beauty of cycling as a medium for landscape photography is that it allows photographers to explore natural landscapes at their own pace. Unlike traveling by car or bus, cycling gives you an intimate connection with your environment. It’s not just about capturing the big picture—it’s about immersing yourself in the details and discovering hidden gems along the way.
Scenic bike routes are perfect for landscape photography because they offer uninterrupted views, access to diverse terrain, and the freedom to stop whenever inspiration strikes. Whether you’re cycling along a coastal route, through mountain ranges, or across open plains, the variety of landscapes provides endless opportunities for creative shots. With the right timing, gear, and knowledge, cyclists can capture everything from dramatic sunrises to misty mornings and vibrant sunsets, making every turn a new photography opportunity.
Brief Introduction to the Article’s Focus
This article is dedicated to helping both cycling enthusiasts and landscape photographers find the best scenic bike routes in the United States that offer jaw-dropping views and the perfect opportunity to capture nature’s beauty. We’ll explore a variety of routes, each with its own unique landscapes and photographic potential. Along the way, we’ll also share tips on how to get the best shots during your bike ride, including composition techniques, the best times of day for photography, and the essential gear you’ll need to carry on your bike.
Whether you’re a seasoned long-distance cyclist or just someone who enjoys weekend rides, this guide will help you find new destinations that double as your personal photography studio. Let’s dive into the best routes and get you ready to capture some stunning landscape shots on two wheels!
Table of Contents
Why Scenic Bike Routes are Perfect for Landscape Photography
The benefits of cycling as a means of capturing photos in nature.
How cycling allows access to off-the-beaten-path locations and spontaneous photo opportunities.
Top Scenic Bike Routes in the US for Landscape Photography
Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, California
Highlights of coastal views, cliffs, and ocean vistas.
Great Allegheny Passage, Pennsylvania to Maryland
Capture diverse landscapes, from forests to historic landmarks.
Katy Trail, Missouri
Perfect for rural landscapes and riverside shots.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina
Majestic mountain views and vibrant fall foliage.
Oregon Outback
Capture the stark beauty of Oregon’s high desert and rugged terrain.
Tips for Capturing Stunning Landscape Photos on Your Bike Ride
How to plan your shots for the best lighting (golden hour, midday, etc.).
Composition tips: the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing.
Best photography gear for cyclists (lightweight cameras, lenses, etc.).
Timing Your Ride for the Best Landscape Photos
The best times of day and year for different locations.
How to make the most of changing light and weather for dramatic photos.
What to Look for When Cycling with a Camera
Key landscape features to photograph on your ride (mountains, rivers, forests, wildlife).
How to capture motion while cycling.
Post-Processing Tips for Landscape Photography
Basic editing for enhancing colors and contrast in landscape photos.
Using filters and editing tools to bring out the best in your cycling photos.
Why Scenic Bike Routes are Perfect for Landscape Photography
Cycling through scenic bike routes offers a unique combination of perspective and access that makes it an ideal mode of transportation for landscape photography. Unlike other forms of travel, biking gives you a closer connection to the environment while allowing you to cover more ground and explore hidden spots that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Unique Perspective and Access that Bike Touring Provides
One of the biggest advantages of cycling as a form of landscape photography is the perspective it offers. Riding a bike allows you to experience the natural world at a pace that’s slower than driving, but faster than walking. This gives you a more immersive experience of the landscape—whether it’s the rhythm of your pedal strokes through a forest, the quiet sound of your wheels on a dirt trail, or the vastness of a panoramic view at a mountain pass.
Bike touring also provides access to remote and less-traveled areas that might be difficult to reach by car. These routes often pass through rural regions, national parks, and coastal paths that are off the beaten path, offering incredible photo opportunities. Being on a bike gives you the ability to stop whenever something catches your eye—whether it’s a dramatic cloud formation over a mountain or the delicate glow of a sunset over a remote plain.
Spontaneity and Flexibility of Capturing Landscapes from a Bike
Unlike car travel, bike touring offers a level of spontaneity that is perfect for landscape photography. On a bike, you can stop at a moment’s notice to capture serene views, hidden landscapes, or the fine details that might otherwise go unnoticed. This allows you to adapt to changing light conditions, whether it’s chasing the golden hour at sunrise or adjusting to the soft light of a cloudy afternoon.
The flexibility of biking also enables you to adjust your route on the fly, taking detours to explore areas that seem promising for a photograph. If you see a breathtaking vista or a secluded spot along the trail, you have the freedom to pull over, unpack your gear, and capture the moment.
Bike touring allows you to stay in the moment, fully engaged with your surroundings. It’s about experiencing the landscape in real time and having the ability to document it in ways that reflect the natural beauty of the places you visit. Whether it’s a desert sunset, misty forest trail, or vibrant coastal cliffs, cycling offers the ideal platform for spontaneous, flexible, and stunning landscape photography.
Top Scenic Bike Routes in the US for Landscape Photography
The United States is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world, and cycling through these areas provides the perfect opportunity to capture stunning photographs. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best scenic bike routes that offer a wealth of photographic opportunities. From coastal views to mountain ranges, these routes are perfect for photographers looking to capture the natural beauty of the country while enjoying a memorable bike ride.
Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, California
The Pacific Coast Bicycle Route is a must-ride for any cyclist, offering some of the most spectacular ocean views in the world. This route stretches from Washington State to California, with cyclists experiencing dramatic cliffs, secluded beaches, and the rugged Pacific coastline.
Key Photography Spots:
Big Sur: Capture the stunning cliffs and waves crashing below, especially at Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most photographed spots along the route.
Mendocino Headlands State Park: Stop for photos of the coastal bluffs and rocky shorelines, ideal for sunset shots.
Santa Monica Pier: The end of the route, where you can capture the iconic End of the Trail sign and the famous pier with the ocean in the background.
Great Allegheny Passage, Pennsylvania to Maryland
The Great Allegheny Passage is a beautiful route through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, offering lush forests, charming towns, and scenic river valleys. It runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Cumberland, Maryland, and features a mix of rail-trails and forested paths perfect for landscape photography.
Key Photography Spots:
Ohiopyle State Park: Famous for its waterfalls and riverside views, this park is a fantastic place to capture long exposure shots of rushing water.
Youghiogheny River: Cycle alongside this river for sweeping views of forested landscapes and dramatic cliff faces.
Cumberland, Maryland: End the route in this historic town, capturing the classic charm of Victorian architecture and the surrounding mountain views.
Katy Trail, Missouri
Running through the heart of Missouri, the Katy Trail is the longest continuous rail-trail in the United States. Following the Missouri River, this route takes cyclists through peaceful forests, vineyards, and small towns, offering plenty of opportunities to capture a variety of landscapes.
Key Photography Spots:
Bluffton: Capture the expansive views over the Missouri River, especially in the early morning when the mist rolls off the water.
Hermann: Known for its vineyards and historic German-style architecture, this town provides stunning photo ops of the Missouri River and surrounding hills.
Booneville: Stop in this charming town for shots of the riverfront, wildflowers, and classic American railroad landmarks.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a cyclist’s dream, offering a 469-mile stretch of mountain views, dense forests, and winding roads through the Blue Ridge Mountains. As one of the most famous scenic highways in the United States, it’s a photographer’s paradise.
Key Photography Spots:
Linn Cove Viaduct: This curved bridge offers a spectacular view of the mountains and is one of the most photographed spots along the parkway.
Grandfather Mountain: Known for its towering peaks, this area provides stunning vistas and dramatic shots of mountain ridgelines.
Waterrock Knob: A great place to catch the sunrise over the mountains, with panoramic views that stretch for miles.
Oregon Outback
For a more rugged and remote landscape, the Oregon Outback is perfect for cyclists who enjoy both challenging rides and stunning views. This route takes you through high desert and mountainous terrain, offering dramatic shots of arid landscapes and rugged wilderness.
Key Photography Spots:
Fort Rock: Capture the ancient volcanic rock formations set against the expansive desert backdrop, perfect for sunrise or sunset photography.
Crater Lake: Known for its deep blue waters, this is one of the most iconic photography spots in Oregon. Cyclists can capture the breathtaking views of the lake framed by mountain peaks.
Hart Mountain: A secluded area with dramatic landscapes and wildlife, including pronghorn antelope and wild mustangs—ideal for nature photography.
Sierra Nevada Route, California
The Sierra Nevada Route offers cyclists the chance to explore some of the most majestic mountain scenery in the United States. This route takes you through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, offering stunning alpine lakes, towering peaks, and dense forests.
Key Photography Spots:
Lake Tahoe: Capture the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by towering pines and snow-capped peaks.
Mono Lake: A unique spot where you can photograph the otherworldly tufa formations set against the mountainous backdrop.
Kings Canyon National Park: Explore and photograph the iconic giant sequoia trees and sweeping views of high-altitude valleys.
Tips for Capturing Stunning Landscape Photos on Your Bike Ride
Cycling offers a unique opportunity to capture breathtaking landscape photos, but it also presents its own set of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a hobbyist, these practical tips will help you get the best shots while riding.
Choose the Right Camera Gear for Cycling
When cycling, lightweight gear is essential, but you also need equipment that’s capable of capturing the details of the landscapes you’ll encounter. Consider the following:
Compact Cameras and Mirrorless Cameras: Lightweight and portable, these cameras are perfect for cycling tours. They offer high-quality images without the bulk of traditional DSLRs.
Action Cameras: If you’re looking to capture motion while riding, an action camera like a GoPro is a great option. Mount it to your bike or helmet for dynamic shots.
Smartphones: While they won’t replace professional cameras, modern smartphones have great cameras and are incredibly convenient for capturing spontaneous moments.
Plan Your Shots in Advance
Although the flexibility of cycling allows for spontaneity, planning ahead is key for capturing the best photos:
Scout Locations: Before you start your ride, research your route to identify the best photographic spots. Look for iconic views, unique natural features, or dramatic landscapes.
Think about Composition: While riding, always think about composition—the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing can help create visually compelling images. For example, leading lines from a road or trail can draw the viewer’s eye into the shot.
Use Natural Light to Your Advantage
The right lighting can make or break a photo. Here are a few tips for harnessing natural light during your ride:
Golden Hour: The best light for capturing vibrant and warm tones is during the golden hour—the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The light is soft and diffused, creating dramatic shadows and highlights in landscapes.
Cloudy Days: Overcast days offer diffused light, which is perfect for capturing details in landscapes without harsh shadows. If you’re shooting forests or rivers, this type of light can enhance the textures and depth of the scene.
Stop and Capture the Moment
Take advantage of the freedom cycling provides by stopping at any point that offers a great shot. Unlike driving, you have the flexibility to pull over when you see something spectacular. Don’t rush through your ride—take the time to set up your shot, experiment with different angles, and enjoy the process of capturing the landscape.
Use a Tripod for Stability
While cycling can provide dynamic action shots, a tripod is essential for capturing long exposures or shots requiring extra stability. Many compact tripods are lightweight and easily foldable, making them a great addition to your gear for a bike ride.
These practical tips will help you make the most of your cycling journey, allowing you to capture stunning landscape photos along the way. Whether you’re stopping for a quick shot or planning a full photoshoot, having the right gear and techniques will ensure your photos reflect the beauty of the places you explore.
Timing Your Ride for the Best Landscape Photos
To get the most out of your landscape photography while cycling, timing is crucial. The natural light, weather conditions, and time of day can dramatically change how a scene looks. Here’s how to plan your ride to capture the best landscape photos at the perfect time.
Best Times of Day for Different Types of Photos
Golden Hour:
As mentioned earlier, golden hour—the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset—is one of the most magical times for landscape photography. During these hours, the light is warm, soft, and offers beautiful shadows and highlights that bring depth to your photos. It’s perfect for mountain views, desert landscapes, and coastal shots.
Midday Light:
The harsh light of midday isn’t ideal for soft landscape shots, but it can work well for capturing contrast and vibrancy in certain environments. For example, the bright sunlight enhances the colors of desert landscapes or open fields. If you’re shooting architecture or roadside landmarks, midday can be a great time, especially when you want the full intensity of the sun on your subject.
Blue Hour:
Just after sunset and just before sunrise, the blue hour provides a cooler, atmospheric light that’s perfect for cityscapes, night photography, and long-exposure shots. If you’re cycling into a town or a city, consider timing your arrival to capture the skyline with the blue hour’s soft light.
How to Plan Your Ride Accordingly
Set Time for Photo Breaks:
Factor in time for photography when planning your daily route. Instead of rushing through, set aside time for capturing your surroundings. Plan your route around the key spots where you can stop and take pictures, allowing for those magic moments during golden or blue hours.
Adjust for Changing Light:
As you cycle, you might encounter weather changes, cloud cover, or bright sunlight. Always be ready to adjust your shooting techniques based on the light. For example, if you ride into a cloudy spot, take advantage of the diffused light to capture detailed shots of forests, rivers, and other features. If the sun breaks through, it might create dramatic lighting that works well for wide-angle shots of mountains or wide plains.
Seasonal Timing:
The season can also influence the kind of shots you can get. Spring and fall provide vibrant colors in landscapes, with flowers blooming and foliage turning. In winter, snowy scenes can provide a stark contrast and unique textures for photography, while summer can offer lush greenery, beaches, and clear skies.
What to Look for When Cycling with a Camera
Cycling offers endless opportunities to capture stunning landscape photos, but knowing what to look for and where to stop is essential to getting the best shots. With the freedom to explore new areas at your own pace, here’s what cyclists should focus on when choosing spots to stop and photograph:
Look for Unique Lighting Conditions
Lighting plays a significant role in landscape photography. As you cycle along your route, keep an eye out for lighting conditions that can transform a scene:
Golden Hour: As discussed earlier, golden hour is one of the best times to capture soft, warm light. Look for moments when the sunlight is casting long shadows or highlighting textured surfaces like rock formations, mountain ridges, or water reflections. These times of day offer the perfect opportunity to capture dramatic and glowing images.
Backlighting: The light source coming from behind your subject can create stunning effects, especially during the early morning or late afternoon. If you see an area where light is filtering through trees, grasses, or fog, it can create a magical atmosphere. Look for opportunities to backlight plants, trees, or wildlife for striking silhouettes.
Soft, Diffused Light: Overcast days or cloudy skies create soft, even lighting that is perfect for capturing detail in landscapes, such as mountain forests, rivers, or desert valleys. This light reduces harsh shadows and brings out the finer textures in the scene.
Pay Attention to the Landscape’s Natural Features
When cycling, you’ll encounter a variety of landscapes, each with unique features that make for great photographs. Here’s what to look for:
Mountains and Hills: These offer the perfect opportunity for dramatic photos, especially with sunlight hitting the peaks or creating a shadowy contrast across valleys. Look for ridge lines, passes, or hillsides with sweeping views.
Water Bodies: Lakes, rivers, and waterfalls often make for beautiful photographs, especially with reflections or when captured in motion (like flowing rivers or cascading waterfalls). Pay attention to the light on the water and the reflections that can add depth to your composition.
Wide Open Spaces and Vast Landscapes: Large plains, deserts, and fields can look amazing in wide-angle shots, especially when the lighting is perfect or when looking toward the horizon. Look for patterns or textures in the land, like fields of flowers, desert dunes, or rural farmland.
Roads and Trails: Since you’re cycling, you’ll encounter roads or trails that can serve as leading lines in your photos. These paths often guide the viewer’s eye toward the horizon or a specific focal point, adding a sense of depth and perspective to your landscape shots.
Wildlife and Flora: Keep an eye out for local wildlife or interesting flora that can add context or life to your photos. Birds, wildflowers, and animals make beautiful additions, especially when they interact with the landscape.
Consider Framing and Composition
When deciding where to stop and capture a shot, consider how you’ll frame the scene:
Leading Lines: Roads, trails, rivers, or fences can act as leading lines to draw the viewer’s attention into the image. Use these lines to guide the viewer’s eyes through the landscape, creating a sense of depth.
Rule of Thirds: Position key elements of your shot (such as a mountain peak, tree, or water feature) off-center, creating a balanced and dynamic photo. This can help break up the scene and prevent the image from feeling too static.
Natural Frames: Look for elements in the environment that can act as frames around your subject. Tree branches, rock formations, or gaps in fences can serve as natural frames to add context and draw attention to your main subject.
Taking the time to stop at the right moments and carefully choose your photographic spots will help you capture the best landscape shots. Look for dramatic lighting, distinctive features of the landscape, and pay attention to composition techniques to create visually captivating images.
Post-Processing Tips for Landscape Photography
After you’ve captured stunning landscape photos on your bike tour, the next step is editing your images to bring out their full potential. Post-processing is an important part of photography, allowing you to enhance colors, contrast, and overall composition. Here are some tips to help you fine-tune your landscape shots:
Basic Editing for Landscape Photos
Adjust Exposure:
Start by adjusting the exposure to ensure your photo isn’t too bright or too dark. For landscape photography, it’s important to retain detail in both the highlights and shadows, especially in high-contrast scenes like sunset or bright sunlight.
Enhance Contrast and Clarity:
Increase contrast to make the dark areas of your photo stand out more against the lighter areas. This helps give your landscape shots more depth. Use the clarity or structure tool to add sharpness to the midtones, helping to define textures in rocks, clouds, or foliage.
Boost Saturation and Vibrance:
Use the saturation tool to enhance colors, but be careful not to overdo it. A vibrant landscape with rich colorscan create a strong visual impact. Vibrance is a more subtle tool than saturation and will adjust the muted colors in the image without affecting already vibrant hues.
Fine-Tuning Details with Local Adjustments
Graduated Filters:
Use graduated filters to darken skies, especially when shooting landscapes with wide open spaces. This helps balance exposure between the bright sky and the darker ground, resulting in a more visually appealing image.
Sharpening:
Apply subtle sharpening to bring out fine details in your landscape. Sharpening is especially useful for distant mountains, water reflections, and textures in the scene. Don’t over-sharpen, as this can introduce noise and reduce the image’s natural quality.
Dehaze:
The dehaze tool is perfect for removing atmospheric haze in the distance. This tool works well for landscapes where fog or mist might obscure the details of distant mountains or valleys, helping to bring more clarity to the image.
Creating a Consistent Editing Style
To create a signature look for your photos, you can apply a consistent editing style across your images. Whether you prefer a warm, nostalgic vibe or a cool, dramatic aesthetic, use presets or filters to speed up the process. It’s important to maintain consistency in your editing so that your photos work together cohesively, especially if you’re sharing them as part of a collection or album.
Exporting Your Photos
When you’re happy with your edits, export your images in high resolution for print or web use. If you’re sharing online, consider resizing your photos to suit social media platforms, ensuring they load quickly without sacrificing quality.
Post-processing is an essential part of landscape photography, allowing you to enhance your images and bring out the best in your captured moments. By adjusting exposure, adding contrast, and fine-tuning details, you can create photos that truly reflect the beauty of your cycling journey.