Bikepacking Routes and Gear: Your Guide to Multi-Day Cycling Adventures

There’s something about bikepacking that just… clicks. It’s the perfect blend of cycling’s freedom and backpacking’s immersion. You’re not just riding from point A to B; you’re traveling through a landscape, carrying your home on your bike. Honestly, it’s the closest thing to flying while staying grounded.

But let’s be real—the idea can be daunting. Which route do you pick? What on earth do you pack? Well, here’s the deal: it’s simpler than it seems. Let’s dive into some iconic routes and the essential gear that makes them possible.

Choosing Your Route: From Gentle Beginnings to Epic Challenges

Your first multi-day cycling trip shouldn’t be a brutal test of survival. Pick something that matches your fitness and, just as importantly, your appetite for adventure. Here are a few categories to consider.

For the Newcomer: Rail-Trails and Greenways

These are, without a doubt, the best way to dip your toes in. Converted from old railway lines, they offer gentle grades, stunning scenery, and often, convenient towns along the way.

• The Katy Trail (Missouri, USA): Nearly 240 miles of crushed limestone. It rolls through small towns, past vineyards, and along the Missouri River. The surface is forgiving, the resupply points are frequent, and the vibe is pure Midwest charm.
• The Great Allegheny Passage (Pennsylvania to Maryland, USA): Connects to the C&O Canal Towpath for a 335-mile car-free route from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. It’s a history lesson on two wheels, with tunnels, bridges, and a steady, manageable climb to the Eastern Continental Divide.

For the Scenery Seeker: Mountain and Coastal Routes

You want those “wow” moments—the ones that make you stop and just stare. These routes deliver, but they usually ask for more in terms of climbing and planning.

The Scottish North Coast 500 (NC500): A 516-mile loop starting in Inverness. It’s raw, it’s rugged, and the weather is… Scottish. You’ll tackle steep climbs rewarded with heart-stopping views of sea cliffs and lonely castles. Be prepared for wind and rapidly changing conditions. It’s a proper adventure.

The Carretera Austral (Chile): A legendary dirt-road journey through Patagonia. Think turquoise rivers, towering glaciers, and vast, empty spaces. It’s remote. You need to be self-sufficient, comfortable with rough roads, and okay with the fact that the next shop might be days away. The payoff is pure, unadulterated wilderness.

For the Long-Haul Adventurer: Bikepacking’s Iconic Trails

These are the life-list trips. The ones that take weeks or months, testing your endurance and your spirit.

The Tour Divide: Following the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico, this 2,700-mile route is the ultimate test. It’s mostly off-pavement, crosses countless mountain passes, and is entirely self-supported. It’s less a race (though there is a famous event) and more a pilgrimage for the ultra-endurance crowd.

The Silk Road Mountain Race (Kyrgyzstan): A newer, brutally beautiful event (and route) that has captured the imagination of experts. It’s high-altitude, incredibly remote, and navigationally complex. This isn’t a first trip; it’s a graduation.

Gearing Up: The Bikepacking Gear List That Actually Works

You don’t need the latest, lightest, most expensive everything. You need a system that’s reliable. Think of it as a three-legged stool: the bike, the bags, and the camping kit. If one leg is wobbly, the whole trip is.

The Bike: It’s About Fit and Function

Almost any bike can be a bikepacking bike. A sturdy gravel bike or a hardtail mountain bike are fantastic choices. The key is tire clearance (wider tires, around 2+ inches, add comfort and stability on rough stuff) and mounting points for bottles and bags. Drop bars offer multiple hand positions for long days; flat bars can feel more controlled on techy descents. Honestly? Ride what you have first. Upgrade later.

The Bag System: Your Mobile Basecamp

This is where the magic happens. You’re ditching the panniers for a sleek, streamlined setup that attaches directly to your frame. The core trio:

• Handlebar Roll: Perfect for your bulky, light items—sleeping bag, puffy jacket, tent body. Keeps weight off your back and low.
• Frame Bag: The heart of the system. Fits inside the main triangle. This is for dense, heavy stuff: tools, food, battery pack, maybe a cookset.
• Seat Pack: Sits under your saddle. Great for clothes, your sleep pad, the tent fly. Getting the strap tension right here is crucial to avoid sway.

Camping & Survival: The Non-Negotiables

You’ll be tired. Your gear choices here directly impact your recovery and morale.

Category	Key Items	Pro Tip
Shelter	Ultralight tent, bivy, or tarp. Consider freestanding if you’ll camp on hard ground.	Practice setting it up at home. In the rain, in the dark, you’ll thank yourself.
Sleep System	Sleeping bag (rated for temps ~10°F colder than expected) and an inflatable pad.	Comfort is worth the weight. A good night’s sleep makes every mile easier.
Kitchen	Compact stove, fuel, lighter, spork, and a single pot.	Dehydrated meals are easy, but a town burrito is a legendary morale booster.
Tools & Repair	Multi-tool, chain breaker, spare tube, tubeless plugs, duct tape, zip ties.	Know how to fix a flat and a broken chain. These are your most likely mechanicals.

And water. Always have a plan for water—whether it’s two large bottles and a filter for remote routes, or just knowing the next refill spot.

The Mindset: The Real Secret Ingredient

Sure, the gear matters. The route is important. But the thing that truly defines a multi-day cycling trip is your headspace. You will get tired. There might be a surprise hill, a sudden downpour, a frustrating mechanical. That’s part of the story.

The rhythm of the day becomes its own kind of meditation. Pack up camp. Ride. Find a rhythm. Stop for a snack by a river. Ride some more. Find a place to sleep. Repeat. The simplicity is… addictive. You shed the noise of daily life and are left with just the essential tasks: move forward, eat, rest.

So start small. Pick a two-day loop close to home. Test your gear. Make your mistakes where it’s easy to bail. You’ll learn what you actually need—and more importantly, what you can leave behind. The road, the trail, it’s waiting. It’s not about conquering it, you know? It’s about moving with it, becoming part of the landscape for a little while.