A new take on an historic ride.
For years, this route has shimmered like a mirage on the horizon for so many riders—always tantalisingly close, yet somehow just out of reach. There is nothing like it. It is not just a cycling tour. It is a ride stitched into the fabric of ancient history. It is epic. Following in the tyre-tracks of one of the greatest military commanders of antiquity, this journey charts the path Hannibal Barca and his army—complete with elephants—across the Pyrenees, over the Alps, and into the heart of Italy. It is a feat that astounded Rome, shook the ancient world, and for the last 15 years has formed the backbone of our most ambitious and revered Bike Odyssey!
The Background: Hannibal – the Original Odyssey
Make no mistake—Hannibal is the most formidable of our Odysseys. It’s a 33-day marathon of mountains, myth, and muscle. Riders have come from around the world to take it on – crossing three countries, traversing iconic Tour de France cols, and cycling through vineyards, Roman ruins, and Alpine majesty… it was named in the top 100 rides in the world in 2022…
In the summer of 2010, a most unusual cavalry rode out from southern Spain—not on warhorses or elephants, but on bicycles. Sam, the founder of Bike Odyssey, together with his brothers Ben and Danny Wood, retraced one of the most audacious campaigns in military history: Hannibal’s legendary march from Iberia to the gates of Rome.
Their journey became On Hannibal’s Trail, a cycling travelogue commissioned by the BBC, chronicling not only the geography of the route, but the enduring legacy of the man who dared to challenge the might of Rome itself. The series blended history, humour, and human endurance, and its resonance was immediate. Picked up by National Geographic and Viasat, it soon galloped across the globe, screened in over 70 countries—a testament to the universal appeal of Hannibal’s epic and the charm of three brothers on a madcap classical crusade.
In 2012 it became an Odyssey…. our first trip was with 4 guests and many friends and family who joined. We rode the full route in 21 days, with one rest day! It was tough, too tough and over the following dozen years we increased the length and pleasure of the trip to where it currently sits at 33 days long with multiple rest days in some of Europe’s great towns.
However 33 days is a long time on the road and a lot of hotel changes and at times you still feel like you are dashing through these great regions of Europe…
The Idea: “Highlights of Hannibal” – A More Elegant Campaign
And so, we had a strategic rethink.
Inspired by those who long to experience this route, but seek a more measured undertaking, we’ve forged a new campaign: Highlights of Hannibal. This isn’t a diluted version—it’s a finely tuned distillation. A 16-day epic that captures the essence and splendour of the original, while offering more comfort, flexibility, and breathing space.
We’ve included five triple-night stays—yes, five!—so you can unpack, settle, and truly savour the landscapes, cuisines, and cultures along the way. There are daily ride options to suit your legs and mood: long, short, morning-only—your own tactical manoeuvre.
From Catalonia’s volcanic hills and beautiful Costa Brava coastline to the lavender filled rugged landscape of Provence to soaring peaks of the Alps, and down into the rich, vineclad ridgelines of Piedmont on to the sun-baked Val d’Orcia of Tuscany, this is still a ride that will challenge you—but it will also nourish you, inspire you, and, just perhaps, leave you feeling a little like one of Hannibal’s own. It is also in the very best locations of not just the Hannibal tour but Europe. If you had to choose a ‘best of’ cycling tour you would be hard pressed not to include Catalonia, Provence, Alps, Piedmont and Tuscany! They are the best places to ride a bike!
Details here. Riders, mount up. The Highlights of Hannibal await.