(Photo: courtesy by F. Terrazzani)
Cycle tourism is one of the best and most popular ways to explore regions and engage in a form of slow tourism that respects the environment and the cultural identities defining various European countries. Every year, millions of people embark on cycling journeys to discover places that often lie off the beaten path—far from mainstream tourist circuits—and have thus preserved their authenticity and original character. Indeed, the bicycle allows travelers to traverse landscapes without a negative environmental impact, without noise, and without clogging up city centers crowded by mass tourism. Cycle tourism helps avoid the irrational concentration of tourists in the same locations and at the same times of year; it promotes travel beyond peak seasons and offers cyclists the chance to experience picturesque, authentic settings that are not part of the most overcrowded tourist routes.
"Longobard" Routes – The cycle-touring route outlined here traces the migration of the Longobards across Europe. It follows existing cycling networks—primarily dedicated cycle paths designed for maximum safety—that run alongside the rivers which served as key landmarks during the Longobard migration.
- Starting point: Hamburg – Departing from this major city, the route follows the *Elbe Radweg* (Elbe River Cycle Route) across Germany and into the Czech Republic. There, it connects to the EuroVelo 4 European cycle route, offering the chance to visit Prague and traverse the unspoiled landscapes of the Vysočina region. The route then continues to Brno and the vast area corresponding to “Rugiland”, a region where the Longobard presence was significant, as evidenced by numerous archaeological sites.
- From Moravia to Hungary – Following cycle paths that run alongside "water highways," one crosses Moravia and then reaches the Danube and Hungary. Here, the longobard presence left numerous traces of stable, prosperous settlements—particularly around Lake Balaton—as evidenced by the rich archaeological finds displayed in various Museums, most notably the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest.
- Slovenia and Friuli – From Hungary, the route leads to Slovenia, the final area of longobard settlement before entering Italy. This entry followed the crossing of the Resderta Pass and a journey through the Vipava (Vipacco) Valley into Friuli, marking the establishment of the first Longobard duchy in Italy: Forum Iulii (Cividale).