Top 12 Bikepacking Routes on BIKEPACKING.COM

In this video, we take a look at the top 12 most popular bikepacking routes in our network for 2021. Neil digs into each route sharing what you can expect, when to ride them, and what the proper bike might be for each…

Outline:
Intro – 0:00
The Altravesur – 1:01
Asiago Loop – 1:57
Tree To Sea Loop – 3:08
The Trans-Cambrian Way – 4:16
VTXL – 5:03
The Highland Trail 550 – 6:10
Support and Subscribe – 7:35
Appalachian Gravel Growler – 8:21
The BC Trail – 9:11
The Colorado Trail – 10:05
The Ardennes Arbalete – 11:43
Green Mountain Gravel Growler – 12:56
European Divide Trail – 14:00

Route Links:
12 – ALTRAVESUR – https://bikepacking.com/routes/altravesur-bikepacking-route/
11 – ASIAGO LOOP – https://bikepacking.com/routes/asiago-loop/
10 – TREE TO SEA LOOP – https://bikepacking.com/routes/tree-to-sea-loop-vancouver-island/
9 – THE TRANS-CAMBRIAN WAY – https://bikepacking.com/routes/trans-cambrian-way/
8 – VTXL – https://bikepacking.com/routes/vtxl/
7 – The Highland Trail 550 – https://bikepacking.com/routes/highland-trail-550/
6 – APPALACHIAN GRAVEL GROWLER – https://bikepacking.com/routes/appalachian-gravel-growler/
5 – THE BC TRAIL – https://bikepacking.com/routes/bc-trail/
4 – THE COLORADO TRAIL – https://bikepacking.com/routes/bikepacking-the-colorado-trail/
3 – THE ARDENNES ARBALETE – https://bikepacking.com/routes/ardennes-arbalete/
2 – GREEN MOUNTAIN GRAVEL GROWLER – https://bikepacking.com/routes/green-mountain-gravel-growler/
1 – EUROPEAN DIVIDE TRAIL – https://bikepacking.com/routes/european-divide-trail

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Hosted by Neil Beltchenko (https://www.instagram.com/neil_beltchenko/)
Music by Ben Weaver (https://benweaver.net)
More at https://bikepacking.com

– If this is your first time hearing about bikepacking.com, welcome. Since 2014, we have been building, establishing, maintaining, and sharing high quality bikepacking routes around the world. These routes are mapped and chronicled by a core group of experienced route designers and of course, a thriving group of contributors. So in this video,

I’m gonna share our top 12 routes on bikepacking.com that have been searched in 2021. Some of these routes are a part of the Bikepacking Collective Route Network, which are original to us or supported by the collective. Let’s do it. So real quick, if you do head to our website, you will find that full network of routes, including race routes, contributed routes, and of course, our routes. You’ll also see our overnight route section, in which we highlight user submitted overnight bikepacking trips. But in this case,

I will be sharing all of the routes I talk about in the description below. Developed by Logan Watts, Altravesur is a 1,336 kilometer route that traverses Southern Spain. With its epic GR7 foot path as its backbone, Altravesur crosses Southern Spain from Cadiz in the west to Valencia on the Mediterranean coast.

This challenging bikepacking route flows through countless mountain ranges and parks, incorporating many foot and bike trails. This 85% off-road route has a difficult rating of seven out of 10, which means it’s rather tough. Some of the tracks are steep and crumbly and hike-a-bikes aren’t too infrequent. Meaning Logan recommends rolling

Nothing smaller than a two-inch tire. Southern Spain is full of magnificent views and rustic charm. The camping is relatively easy and the food is rather cheap. This route looks fantastic. And if you’re looking for a route for, you know, those shoulder seasons, fall and spring, Southern Spain is the place for you.

The Asiago Loop was created by Andrea Securo, who also developed the Veneto Trail, a popular 450 kilometer event through the Dolomites. The Asiago Loop is a 200 kilometer weekend bikepacking route that takes in the incredible scenery of the Asiago plateau via a mix of gravel roads, singletrack trails, and remote two track

That traverses the area’s limestone cliffs, Alpine pastures, and of course, rich history. The route begins and ends in the town of Asiago, which is the main town of this area and happens to be in the middle of the plateau. It travels on 75% dirt with a small portion of riding on singletrack.

Some highlights are passing by loads of WWI historical sites, the city of rock formations, and of course, getting some Asiago cheese. While the route isn’t terribly challenging and it has been done on a drop bar mountain bike, or a gravel bike, the recommended bike is a hardtail or full suspension bike.

And finally, the Asiago Loop is a great spring or fall loop, but it can be done in the summer, although it is much busier. Launched just a few weeks ago, the Tree to Sea Loop was developed by our very own Miles Arbour. The Tree to Sea Loop is an incredible

1000 kilometer gravel loop around the lesser known parts of the Northern part of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The route links massive valleys, ocean side villages, towering coastal mountains and deep fjords via an impressive patchwork of forest service roads. Aside from some of the best gravel riding on the coast,

There are opportunities for spelunking, whale-watching, waterside camping, and much more. The route is 90% off-road with a little sliver of singletrack, for good measure. You can expect riding on gravel roads in double track, the majority of which is graded and maintained. However, golf ball size gravel is not uncommon,

But the route is 100% rideable. Miles suggests a gravel bike with at least 45 millimeter tires, but a hard tail with both a rigid or suspension fork is not overkill. Anywhere from spring to fall is a great time to ride this route and it can get warm in the summer,

But definitely anticipate quickly changing weather. The Trans-Cambrian Way was developed by Chris Goodman, a seriously talented writer and photographer. The Trans-Cambrian way snakes its way across the heart of Wales covering around 100 miles from Knighton on the English border to Dovey Junction on the Irish Sea. The 70% unpaved trail takes you across

The Cambrian Mountains, the oldest mountain range in Europe. Climbing around 12,000 feet over hills and moorland through one of the most sparsely populated parts of Wales. Grassy hills, rocky singletrack, ancient Ridge roads, forest track, and numerous rivers to ford, this ride has it all.

And yes, it passes plenty of small towns and villages. And if you time it right, you can get a pub meal and a beer every day. VTXL was developed by the one and only Joe Cruz. Vermont resident, college professor, longtime bikepacker, dangle-hater. Joe is a wonderful human and makes fantastic routes.

The VTXL is one virtually continuous path from Canada across Vermont, all the way down to the Massachusetts border. Linking the state’s northeast and southwest corner and capturing its geography landscape and town life. Experiencing that New England charm and the distinct affection that locals have for this place. Outside of the fact

That you get to say you rode the whole state of Vermont, the 300 mile route is 90% unpaved. And the majority of the VTXL is on smooth well-maintained dirt roads. And it often passes close to resupply towns, so provisioning is not that challenging. There are however, perhaps a dozen rugged and rocky sections.

That being said, the VTXL was designed for a gravel bike and a gravel bike trip. However, having a tire under 35 millimeters is going to make it less fun. Originally conceived by Alan Goldsmith, a legend in the ultra endurance cycling world, and some of you may know him as Brad Pitt,

This route was contributed to bikepacking.com by outdoor enthusiast, Lars Henning. The Highland Trail explores 550 miles of some of the most remote and rugged stretches of the Scottish Highlands. The route features world-class singletrack and dirt roads with stunning views throughout, but you must put in some serious effort to reap the rewards.

And one of the most picturesque settings of this route, which is actually at the Northern most part of the route requires quite a bit of hike-a-bike, even for the most proficient cyclists. The 75% unpaved route consists of three smaller loops, starting and finishing in Tyndrum. Half of this route travels on singletrack,

Making it a good candidate for a hardtail mountain bike, but I pedaled it on a full suspension bike, and was very happy I did so. Outside of the rugged nature of this trail, mother nature is another element that has been known for demonstrating all four seasons in one day.

Plus you have those midges to deal with, making may and June the most realistic time to tour this route. Despite those challenges, this route for me was one of the most rewarding bikepacking experiences I’ve ever endured. And if you really like singletrack, this route is definitely for you.

Oh, and yes, bring a rain jacket. It’s gonna rain on you. So if you like what you see so far in this video, six routes in, make sure to hit that subscribe button. And if you want to help support us a little bit more, help support the people that actually make these routes,

Help support everything on bikepacking.com. And of course the Bikepacking Journal, you can sign up for the Bikepacking Collective. The Bikepacking Collective is our annual membership through bikepacking.com that obviously helps support us. But it also gives back to you. Each month you’re automatically signed up for giveaways,

Which from time to time can be a bike frame, can be bike bags, accessories. You also get industry discounts with a variety of brands that we work with. And of course, twice a year, you get our beautiful, very own print publication in the Bikepacking Journal. For more information, or just to sign up.

There’s a link provided below. As always, thank you all so much for the support. Another route developed by Logan Watts, the founder of bikepacking.com. The Appalachian Gravel Growler is a 227 mile, four to six day bikepacking route that explores one of America’s top craft beer destinations, via iconic gravel roads

Through North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains. Though challenging, the route is designed specifically for drop bar gravel riding and is approachable on nearly any bike. The 60% unpaved route travels along several bucket list gravel roads, and several bits of lesser known forest service roads and singletrack. No matter the path, it brings you an opportunity

To taste some of the best beers on the planet. From Fonta Flora in Morgantown to Oskar Blues in Brevard and nearly a dozen or so in between. The BC Trail is a 1,200 kilometer route that spans the southern most portion of British Columbia. Starting in the Fraser Valley

And ending in Fernie on the Alberta border. This is another route contributed by Miles Arbour. The route follows decommissioned rail trails, gravel side roads, forest service roads, and singletrack. The BC Trail boasts some of the most spectacular views the province has to offer.

The 90% off-road route is arguably the best way to explore and visit many breathtaking regions of British Columbia. The route mixes a healthy dose of front country amenities with remote sections that require a bit more skill and planning. The majority of the route is rough, chunky, and often very sandy.

So plus size tires or a suspension fork is not a bad idea. And Miles mentions that he probably wouldn’t go under a two-inch tire. The Colorado Trail is a reality in large part due to a variety of individuals, including Gudy Gaskill. The Colorado Trail was finally completed in 1987,

After many years of slow progress and lack of funding. One of the longest singletrack heavy bikepacking trails in the United States, the 540 mile Colorado Trail offers a high altitude experience unlike any other. From buffed singletrack to head-scratching hike-a-bike sections, from 13,000 feet all the way down to river basins.

The Colorado Trail is a must-do if you love single-track. Because of the remote nature, high altitude and difficult trail, this is likely one of the hardest routes on bikepacking.com. The route has 85% dirt and 55% singletrack, and often very slow and rough singletrack at that. So we suggest a full suspension mountain bike,

Or at least a hard tail. This is definitely not a drop bar friendly trail. The point to point trail travels well in both directions. It’s equally as difficult, but it’s also extremely rewarding just to do a weekend trip on portions of the trail. The window to ride the Colorado Trail

Is all dependent on the previous winter. If it’s a big snow year, you’re probably not gonna get on the trail until July. If it’s a light, slow year, you probably can get on the trail in June. Typically the end of the season for the Colorado Trail starts sometime in September,

But it is not uncommon to see snow year round at higher elevations. The Colorado Trail’s hands down my favorite bikepacking trip. And as I mentioned, if you like singletrack, you need to put this on your list. Developed by the Belgian-born, Oregon-raised, lover of outdoors, explore of cultures, Kevin Machtelinckx,

The Ardennes Arbalete is a 365 kilometer route in Belgium, and it has something for everyone. Fast forest gravel, beat up singletrack, cruiser bike path through castle-dotted valleys, quaint encounters with cheery locals, humbling reminders of the area’s poignant history, including the Battle of the Bulge and the promise of fantastic beer around every corner.

The route riding surfaces run the gamut. From paved bicycle paths of city centers to swampy single-track to flowy riverside dirt roads. A rigid gravel bike with 42 millimeter tires with some bite should be sufficient, if conditions are dry. Otherwise a two-inch tire would be ideal for those unpredictable and varying trail conditions.

History buffs will love riding in this region. I actually, myself, got in a rabbit hole of WWII history and well, we can leave that for another day. But this route truly has a ton of history. And if you’re looking to ride it, it can be ridden from spring to fall.

However, it can be deceptively hot and humid in the middle part of the summer. Another route developed by Joe Cruz and Logan Watts, both who happened to be beer aficionados, paired with the fact that Vermont has the second most breweries per capita, this route only makes sense.

The 255 mile Green Mountain Gravel Growler is an extraordinary loop that weaves a selection of storybook farm dirt roads, flowy New England singletrack, and rugged historic woodland paths to create a circuit of some of the world’s best and most coveted craft beers. A lot of Vermont’s breweries are in the middle of nowhere,

Or at least in the middle of quaint towns scattered amongst the rolling countryside. That’s another aspect that inspired this route. Vermont boasts the highest percentage of unpaved roads in the country. The 66% off-road route was designed for a gravel bike in mind, with 40 millimeter tires. I don’t know about you,

But this particular route has a certain draw for me, especially amongst the fall colors. With beer, relatively simple riding, sign me up. Last and certainly not least, the number one most searched and viewed route on bikepacking.com this year is the European Divide Trail. From the shores of the Arctic Ocean in Norway

To the wild coastline of southwestern Portugal, the European Divide Trail is a 7,601 kilometer bikepacking route that’s incredibly diverse and always full of surprises. It’s an epic off-road crossing of the European continent. From the northeast to the southwest, traversing nine countries and countless dirt roads, singletracks, quiet lanes and traffic free byways.

The route came from Andy Cox’s personal desire looking to create an off-road touring route across Europe in the similar vein to the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in the United States. He says, “I wanted to make a mostly rideable, relatively easy route where the difficulty comes from its length,

The various climates it crosses, and the amount of time it takes to complete it.” The entire solo project took him three years to complete. That’s impressive. And Andy, we thank you for your time and dedication to this incredible route. The route is comprised of three sections.

The North, which travels endless forests, lakes, and rivers, from the Arctic ocean coast of Norway into Sweden. The Central travel’s a patchwork of fields, forests, towns, and cities packed with history, culture and a huge variety of regional differences. Through Denmark, Germany, France, and Switzerland. And finally the southern section

Where the soil turns into rock, dust, sand and gravel. Most plants have spines and the Mediterranean Sea is the biggest climactic influence. Traveling through southcentral France, Spain, and finally Portugal. As far as the bike is concerned, Andy mentioned that most off-road bikes will get you by,

But Andy suggests a minimum of 40 millimeter tires with something in the range of 50 millimeter tires to be on the safe side and to be a bit more comfortable. So those are the top 12 most popular routes on bike packing.com today. So now it’s time to hear from you all.

(upbeat music) If you’ve ridden one of those routes, let us know why and how you liked it. And if you haven’t ridden any of them, if you were to pick one, which one would it be? As always thank you all so much for watching. And until next time, pedal further.