Bikepacking Europe

Beginning only 30 minutes from central London by train, the Downs Overnighter offers a sample of South East England’s finest long-distance trails. In just over 100 miles, you’ll ride abandoned railway paths through dense woodland, over chalky double track accompanied by sweeping views, and even get the chance to dip your toes into the sea...

This 300km route along the mountainous spine of an old Swedish mining region is destined to become a classic. After a punishing start, the singletrack opens up and has you eager for more. Controlled momentum will be your mantra as you learn the ways of the forest, and you'll feel a sense of satisfaction as you link it all together. Welcome to Bergslagsleden...

Lemkivska Kobiouka is a 150-mile bikepacking route in the Carpathian Mountains that traverses one of the most remote and wild areas of Poland. Though once bustling communities, the valleys of the Low Beskid Mountains are now quiet and desolate, a land shaped by a tragic history...

The Swiss Jura Explorer is a challenging weekend bikepacking loop through what could be called "the last frontier of Switzerland," a sparsely populated, pristine region near the French border. The route includes beautiful views over wooded Jura hills on one side, and fantastic views of the Swiss midlands and high Alps on the other.

The Deeside Trail follows both banks of the River Dee as it flows from its source high on the sub-arctic Cairngorm plateau to the arable lowlands of Aberdeenshire in Scotland. This weekend route picks out technical and remote singletrack as it takes you through ancient pine forests and the heather and gorse covered hills of the Eastern Cairngorms.

The Lost-in-Brandenburg Loop is an easily accessible mixed surface overnight bikepacking route that covers the rural and forested north-east of Brandenburg. Exiting the Berlin metro area, the loop travels over the area's infamous sandy and cobbled doubletracks, weaving in bouts of gravel, mellow singletrack, and smooth tarmac. Get lost and find yourself in the endless pine forests and tiny towns seemingly stuck in time.

The Malecoste Overnighter was designed as a mountain escape from the outskirts of L’Aquila, an historic town in central Italy. In its relatively short distance, the route goes deep into the Gran Sasso National Park, exploring the western and lesser-known side of the Gran Sasso mountain range along two-track roads and faint singletrack that leads into the rocky amphitheater of Chiarino Valley.

Developed by Cycling UK using existing and newly negotiated off-road trails, the ~750-mile Great North Trail runs from the southern Peak District to the tip of Scotland as part of the first official Land’s End to John O’Groats off-road route. It is not designed to be the easiest, most direct or fastest route, but one that inspires and invigorates, whilst providing stunning scenery, good riding, and plenty of adventure.

The Norwich Overnighter runs from medieval Norwich through the verdant Wensum Valley and the northern Broads to the classic British seaside resort of Great Yarmouth. The route follows disused railway lines, bridleways, and quiet country roads. Stop off at pubs, markets, restaurants and cafés to refuel, and visit iconic nature reserves and historical gems.

A weekend bikepacking loop in the Swiss region of Emmental, famous for its cheese and green hills, the Emmental route leads riders through seemingly remote forests, small villages with traditional farmhouse architecture, and touches a small part of the Berner Oberland. Along the way are endless views of the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks...

Surrounded by the spectacular mountains of Marche region, Monti Sibillini National Park offers a 3-4 day bikepacking loop around one of the most impressive and spectacular massifs on the Italian peninsula. The route follows gravel roads and singletrack trails through enchanting and timeless landscapes where many myths and medieval legends began...

A mixed terrain bikepacking loop through Abruzzo, Italy, an incredibly diverse region set amongst the spectacular Apennines mountains. This never-ending series of gravel doubletrack, stunning landscapes, delicious food and medieval villages will lead you into the “wolf’s lair” to discover the wild side of Abruzzo.

The Lake District National Park promises some of the most dramatic mountainscapes in England… and perhaps the very best in old school mountain biking too. The Lakeland 200 is a multi-day loop that offers a broad overview of the whole area, taking in such classics as High Street, Walna Scar Road, and Black Sail Pass. Just be sure you don’t have an aversion to hike-a-bikes…

The Rodeno-Algarbe Loop covers 130 km in two days as a short introduction to the Spanish Lapland scenery and the Montañas Vacías bikepacking route. The route offers great riding through the Pinares del Rodeno Protected Landscape and the Montes Universales, making it a top choice for a group overnighter in the area.

From the hustle and bustle of Paris to the wildlife haven of the Rambouillet Forest, this overnight route follows quiet roads and gravel paths from the southwestern edge of the French capital.

There's gravel to be found just minutes from the center of Scandinavia’s largest city. This overnight bikepacking adventure features 121km of mostly off-road riding and takes you through deep forests and remote singletrack, all within the greater urban area of the city. This is the Wilder Side of Stockholm...

Easily accessed with public transport from Bath, Bristol, and Cardiff, the Black Mountain lies to the west of the Brecons Beacons National Park, in South Wales. This 73 mile, largely un-trafficked and hilly route can be completed in two days, crossing the range twice to form a loop in and out of Aberdare, in the Cynon Valley. Wending through an area pocked with burial mounds, druid stones, caves, and old forts, expect singletrack, drovers' roads, forest roads, and the usual helping of Welsh bogs...

The Bear Bones Bash is a 230km loop through remote and sparsely populated Mid Wales. It promises a true gamut of riding conditions - from steep and winding back lanes, old drovers' tracks, and graded forest tracks, to tufty singletrack, hike-a-bikes and extended bog trots - across the crumpled folds of the beautiful Cambrian Mountains. The route also includes the potential of a night in a candle-lit bothy and a resupply in quirky Machynlleth, home to the world-renowned Centre of Alternative Technology.