11 Amazing Spring Bikepacking Routes (Video)

With spring coming into full bloom across the nation, it’s not hard to find inspiration for a night under the stars. But what are the ideal routes for the season? In Neil’s latest video, he talks through 11 amazing spring bikepacking routes to consider if you’re unsure where to head in the coming months.

Showcasing options that take riders through some incredible landscapes, such as on the Of Resilience And Hope route in Europe, to something in the United States like the Wilson’s Ramble or Hidden in Plain Sight, Neil based most recommendations on ideal riding season and a length between two and four days. Let’s dive into a brief overview of each route below.

Hidden In Plain Sightlink

California, USA / 13,846 MI (4,220 M) / +3,091 FT (942 M)

Hidden in Plain Sight is exactly what the name suggests: a wild, rugged route hiding just beyond the sprawl of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States. This 104-mile loop winds through the Santa Monica Mountains, blending coastal views, oak-lined canyons, remote singletrack, and rugged fire roads into a two to three-day adventure.

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Don’t let the proximity to a major city fool you. With nearly 14,000 feet of climbing and about 60% singletrack, this one is tough. But the reward is real, especially in spring when the coastal range comes alive with wildflowers, mariposa lilies, lupine, and the famed California poppy. Hit it before the Southern California heat takes hold, and it’s one of those routes that makes you wonder why Los Angeles wasn’t on your radar for bikepacking before.

Sky Islands Odyssey link

Arizona, USA / 124-175 mi / +8,839-11,653 ft

Moving over to Arizona, it’s one of the places that really shine at this time of year, especially in early spring before things heat up. The Sky Islands routes sit at just the right elevation to make that work. These routes are rideable earlier in the year and usually stay comfortable well into late April, but once May rolls around, I’d probably start looking elsewhere. I’ve ridden portions of these routes, and they are absolutely dreamy. The Sky Islands Odyssey is a network of loops that thread through the biodiverse borderlands of Southern Arizona, one of the most culturally layered and ecologically unique regions in North America.

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There are three main loop options ranging from about 125 to 235 miles, so you can ride them as separate trips or link them together into one bigger loop, depending on how much time you have. The landscapes change dramatically as you climb, from Sonoran Desert scrub down low to pine forests high in the mountains. Finally, the route has real depth beyond just the riding, touching on Indigenous history, wildlife, and the very current human stories unfolding along the US-Mexico border.

Kokopelli Trail link

Utah, USA / 158 mi (254 KM) / +15,189 ft (4,630 M)

The Kokopelli Trail is a classic. It was one of the first bikepacking trips I ever did, back in 2013, and in many ways it was a route ahead of its time. A point-to-point, off-road route spanning more than 135 miles between Grand Junction, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, it’s one I think everyone should ride at least once.

The beauty out there is unique, with sweeping views of canyon country that eventually blend into the snow-capped peaks of the La Sal Mountains. The route mostly traverses desert landscapes, with rough, rocky singletrack and sandy two-track lined with cacti and junipers, and sections that follow along the mighty Colorado River.

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But don’t fool yourself. Not only is the route challenging to pedal, but from spring on, the Kokopelli can be cold at night. While the desert warms quickly through the season, big temperature swings across the different elevations can make packing a bit tricky. Snow often lingers in the La Sals well into spring, so timing matters more than most routes on this list.

Peaks and Plateaus link

Utah, USA / 169 mi (272 KM) / +11,545ft (3,519 M)

Another great option in this region is the Peaks and Plateaus route, which starts just outside Moab, Utah. Unlike the point-to-point nature of the Kokopelli, Peaks and Plateaus is logistically easier since it’s a loop, with a few resupply options along the way to make things easier. While it’s still very challenging and slightly longer overall, it’s generally less demanding with less total climbing.

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That said, don’t let that fool you; the 170-mile loop still has plenty of bite. Like the Kokopelli, reliable water can be limited out here, but the reward is some of the most stunning views of the La Sal Mountains and Canyonlands National Park. Starry nights and warm desert days make Peaks and Plateaus a route I’d ride every year if I could. This is also a great fall route, but you get a bit more daylight in the spring, so that’s what I’d recommend.

Ouachita Triple Crown link

Arkansas, USA / 161 Mi (259 KM) / +16,409 ft (5,001 M)

Moving over to the eastern portion of the United States, it would be poor form not to highlight the Arkansas region. Despite not having a perfect route for this specific list, I decided to include the Ouachita Triple Crown, as it’s the shortest non-overnighter we currently have on the website in the area. And it’s a good one.

The Ouachita Triple Crown sits in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas, a quirky little range of long, winding ridges, steep creek drainages, and more quartz crystal than you’d ever expect to find in one place. This 161-mile loop stitches together three IMBA Epic trail systems, which is a pretty good indicator of the riding quality. With about 66% singletrack and more than 16,000 feet of climbing, it’s a legitimately meaty trip for a long weekend.

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Spring is a beautiful time to ride here, when the Ouachita National Forest turns bright green, the trails are usually in good shape, and the heat and humidity of an Arkansas summer haven’t arrived yet. If you like the sound of this route but are worried it might be a little long, check out the Ouachita Vistas Overnighter. It’s a 78-mile route that sits just to the northeast of the Triple Crown loop that might be a bit more attainable for a shorter weekend trip.

No Business Loop link

Tennessee, USA / 103 Mi (166 KM) / +8,047 ft (2,453 M)

Continuing our way east, I never planned on bikepacking in Kentucky or Tennessee. But when I was invited to ride the Sheltowee Trace Route, what followed was one of the most memorable trips I’ve ever had. I told myself I’d be back. Luckily, if you’re not ready to jump into that big, demanding route, the No Business Loop is a perfect place to start.

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This 103-mile loop on the Cumberland Plateau samples the Big South Fork National Recreation Area through a mix of technical singletrack, rowdy jeep roads, pristine white gravel, and fast-flowing trails. Massive rock formations, sweeping cliffside views, and tight eastern forest make for a backcountry experience that surprises most people who’ve never ridden this part of the country. Spring is a beautiful time out here, when the woods are waking up, and the wildflowers are going off. It’s a region that deserves way more attention than it gets.

The Real Pisgah link

North Carolina, USA / 99 Mi (159 KM) / +14,000 ft (4,267 M)

While I don’t get out east as much as I’d like, three of our team members call North Carolina home, and that’s reason enough to consider it serious bikepacking territory. And the Real Pisgah is about as good as it gets if you like singletrack. This 99-mile loop winds through the Pisgah Ranger District and is widely considered the go-to singletrack route in the area. At 58% singletrack and 14,000 feet of climbing with a difficulty rating of 8 out of 10, it is not messing around. Lookouts, waterfalls, and long stretches of dense Appalachian forest make the suffering more than worth it.

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Spring is a sweet spot here; the trails are waking up, temperatures are manageable, and the forest is showing signs of growth. Just keep in mind that at nearly 5,000 feet of elevation, early spring can still be cold and muddy, so timing matters. But hit it right, and the Real Pisgah is the kind of route that makes you realize why my colleagues call North Carolina home. Also worth mentioning, a new one in that same area that is much easier, Qualla Quest, is worth a look.

Wilson’s Ramble link

North Carolina, USA / 125 Mi (201 KM) / +14,000 ft (4,267 M)

The Wilson’s Ramble is another great option if you want a little more variety in your terrain. This 125-mile loop winds through several distinct geographic zones around the Wilson Creek watershed and the Linville Gorge Wilderness, blending flowing forest roads, gravel roads, and singletrack into a well-rounded 3- to 4-day trip.

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With 14,000 feet of climbing and a high point pushing over 4,000 feet, it’s no walk in the park, but at a difficulty rating of 6.5, it’s a touch more approachable than the Real Pisgah. Worth noting that portions of this region were hit hard by Hurricane Helene in 2024, so double-check current conditions before heading out. The good news is that the route is largely open and rideable. Oh, and according to Logan, one of the best breweries on the East Coast is somewhere along the way, which is reason enough in itself.

Of Resilience and Hope link

Spain / 256 KM (159 Mi) / +3,571 M (11,716 ft)

Heading across the Atlantic to Europe, when Of Resilience and Hope was published a few years back, I was sold. It’s a 3 to 4 day loop through the Jiloca Valley in the Teruel province of rural Spain, a region most people have never heard of, and that’s kind of the whole point. Created by Ernesto Pastor, the same person behind the popular Montañas Vacías route, this 159-mile loop travels through a landscape quietly dealing with something familiar to many small towns everywhere: people leaving, villages slowly emptying, a way of life fading away. Ernesto wanted to help put these villages on the map.

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What makes this route stand out beyond the riding itself is that Ernesto put together a free downloadable ebook to go along with it, telling the story of the land and its people as you ride through it. It’s a genuinely thoughtful touch that connects you to the place in a way most routes don’t. Spring is a wonderful time out here, with wide open moorlands, old forests, and the Gallocanta Lagoon coming alive after winter. Nearly all of it is rideable, the climbing is moderate, and the solitude looks about as good as it gets. It won the best new weekend route of 2024 award from the BIKEPACKING.com team, and it’s easy to see why.

Korkyra Groves link

Greece / 238 km (148 mi) / +4,805 M (15,764 ft)

Staying in Europe, this one takes us somewhere a little unexpected, the island of Corfu, Greece. Corfu is well known in Europe as a summer beach destination, and sure, it is that. But the Korkyra Groves route shows a completely different side of the island, one that most tourists never see.

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This 148-mile loop takes about 4 days and kicks off right from the charming streets of Corfu Old Town before heading out into coastal tracks, mountain terrain, and quiet villages that feel worlds away from the crowds. With nearly 16,000 feet of climbing, it’s a physical trip, but spring is arguably the perfect window to do it. The weather is mild, the landscape is green and lush, and the island has yet to triple in population with tourists. The history here is deep too, with centuries of Venetian influence woven into the architecture and cobblestone streets along the way. It’s the kind of place you’d never think to bring your bike, and that’s exactly what excites me about this route.

Lunigiana Trail link

Italy / 229 km (142 mi) / +6,401 M (21,000 ft)

Moving up to Tuscany, Italy, this route isn’t the Tuscany most people think of. The Lunigiana Trail runs through one of the wildest and most remote parts of the region, far from the vineyards and busy tourist towns, tucked up in the northern Apennines.At 142 miles, this loop is no joke. It packs in around 21,000 feet of climbing and is usually ridden over three days. Cell service is spotty, resupply options are limited, and it’s the kind of route that requires a bit of planning and respect. But that’s also exactly what makes it so good.

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Spring is a great time to ride it before the summer heat rolls in. Everything is green, the mountains feel quiet, and there’s a good chance you’ll have long stretches of trail completely to yourself. This region dates back more than 2,000 years to Roman times, and you really feel that history as you roll through small stone villages and rugged mountain terrain that hasn’t changed much in centuries. If you want to experience Italy without the crowds and with a healthy dose of suffering, the Lunigiana Trail might be just for you.

For even more inspiration on spring bikepacking trips, browse our extensive route library.

Further Reading

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