The 20 Best Bikepacking Routes In The World


The 20 Best Bikepacking Routes In The World


Adventure Cyclists, Add These To Your Bucketlist

Whether you're an experienced bikepacker with thousands of miles under your belt or a total newbie, there are countless amazing cycling routes for every skill level. They offer everything from breathtaking natural beauty to little-known historic villages, well off the beaten path. Here are the 20 best bikepacking routes in the world to ignite your soul as well as your thighs.

BikepackPhoto by Brent Olson on Unsplash


1. Denali Park Road

Alaska's Denali Park Road spans 92 miles of the Denali National Park. The route is mostly unpaved and challenging but the stunning and wild Alaskan landscapes make all that hard work worthwhile.

A road in the middle of a forest with a mountain in the backgroundBrianna Marble on Unsplash

2. European Divide Trail

This bikepacking route crosses through Europe from Nordkapp, Norway to Gibraltar, Spain. The trail which spans through 12 European countries is well marked, relatively easy to traverse, and is an amazing way to explore the continent.

woman walking down the hill at daytimeHolly Mandarich on Unsplash

3. Colorado Trail

Stretching across the Rocky Mountains of Colorado from Denver to Durango, this is the most difficult bikepacking route in the US. Most of the trail is situated 10,000 feet above sea level with the highest point reaching an altitude of over 13,000 feet.

File:Beautiful Colorado Landscape-Serpents Trail Colorado National Monument.jpgAirInSky on Wikimedia

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4. Altravesur

The Altravesur in Southern Spain is a challenging bike route for experienced bikepackers. Its 621 miles takes riders through some of Spain's most beautiful wild scenery as well as charming, lesser-known towns.

File:Bikepacking on a fatbike in Eastern Oregon.jpgKBryan0409 on Wikimedia

5. Trans Cambrian Way

The Trans Cambrian Way is a 200 mile route that crosses Wales from the east coast to the west. It's a moderately difficult trail that takes bikepackers through the country's untamed wild, vast open spaces, and historic towns.

File:IMBA UK Trans Cambrian Way - geograph.org.uk - 2442360.jpgJohn Horner  on Wikimedia

6. VTXL

The VTXL (Vermont Traverse XL) is a 300 mile route that takes riders through the state's mountainous terrain. Riders can expect steep climbs, incredible wildlife and scenery featuring rolling hills, dense forests, and mountains.

man in black jacket and black backpack riding on green bicycleMarek Piwnicki on Unsplash

7. Highland Trail 550

Traversing 550 miles of Scotland's most rugged terrain is the Highland Trail 550. The trail offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country to anyone who can manage the challenging topography and unpredictable weather conditions.

Sanjay PrakashSanjay Prakash on Pexels

8. The Silk Road Mountain Race

This 1,120 mile bikepacking route through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan is known for its extreme difficulty. The route follows long-abandoned Soviet roads. Riders can expect a seriously difficult ride at high altitudes through isolated areas.

Ekaterina BelinskayaEkaterina Belinskaya on Pexels

9. New Zealand Cycle Trail

The New Zealand Cycle Trail is a network of cycling routes traversing the country, offering riders various levels of difficulty from beginner-friendly coastal paths to challenging mountain passes. The whole network of trails spans 2,500 miles of picturesque landscapes.

File:Cycle Trail to Kurow.pngMountain Bike Mt Cook, New Zealand on Wikimedia

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10. The Karoo

The Karoo bikepacking route is a 750 mile trail exploring the Karoo region of South Africa. Riders can expect a challenging but gorgeous ride through the iconic African plains, crossing mountains, ancient rock formations, and canyons.

File:Karoo National Park 2014 39.jpgPhotograph by Mike Peel on Wikimedia

11. The Baja Divide

The Baja Divide stretches from San Diego, California to La Paz, Baja California Sur, the very southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The route is remote with challenging topography and can take up to six weeks to complete, traversing everything from desert terrain, steep mountain climbs, and coastal paths.

man in green jacket riding bicycle on brown field during daytimePatrick Hendry on Unsplash

12. El Camino de Santiago 

El Camino de Santiago is a popular pilgrimage route that ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, passing through diverse landscapes and charming historic towns. Bikepackers can complete the moderately challenging route in one to two weeks. 

xtberlinxtberlin on Pixabay

13. Patagonia Traverse 

This 1,500 mile route spans some of the most rugged landscapes of the Andes and Patagonian steppe in Chile and Argentina. The ride is advanced with plenty of climbing and harsh weather conditions but the breathtaking scenery from temperate rainforests to glacial lakes makes it all worth it. 

Nicolas PostiglioniNicolas Postiglioni on Pexels

14. EuroVelo 6

One of the most popular bikepakcing routes in Europe, the EuroVelo6 is a 1,600 mile route from the west coast of France to the Black Sea. The path is mostly flat and fairly well-maintained, making it accessible to less experienced riders and passes through a variety of breathtaking landscapes and historic sites.

File:EuroVelo Route 6 map.svgFlappiefh on Wikimedia

15. Peloponnese Peninsula Bike Route

One of the best ways to explore Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula is by taking this bike route that spans the Peloponnese from coast to coast. The route offers picturesque coastal and mountain views and a pleasant Mediterranean climate year-round.

brown rocky mountain beside body of water during daytimeEvangelos Mpikakis on Unsplash

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16. The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way runs the full western coast of Ireland. It's 1,550 miles of rugged landscape, passing through some of the country's most charming cities and towns including Galway and Cork.

green grass field near body of water during daytimeHanna May on Unsplash

17. The Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountin Bike Trail takes riders through Morocco's Atlas Mountains. The challenging trail winds through the mountain range at high altitudes on tough terrain. Bikepackers get to enjoy unbeatable views and unique exposure to Berber culture. 

areal view mountain and roadMark Kuiper on Unsplash

18. Munda Biddi Trail

One of the largest off-road cycling routes worldwide, the Munda Biddi Trail spans through 620 miles of Australia's dense forests and bushland. As it's off-road, the trail is only suitable for mountain bikes that can navigate the rough terrain.

AntraniasAntranias on Pixabay

19. Tierra del Fuego

This exciting trail traverses the mountainous southern tip of South America. The 620 mile trail takes cyclists on rugged trails through dense forests and mountain passes. It's very challenging and only for experienced bikepackers but the dramatic scenery and pristinely untouched land make all the effort worthwhile.

Marek PiwnickiMarek Piwnicki on Pexels

20. Mekong Delta Route

The Mekong Delta Route takes bikepackers on a journey through Vietnam's lush Mekong Delta region. Cyclist will encounter farmland, waterways, and historic villages with plenty of temples lining the path too. The route is only moderately challenging making it accessible to rookie bikepackers.

Tomáš MalíkTomáš Malík on Pexels