The Prime 10 Bikepacking Routes in North America to Sort out in 2025

Bikepacking is an incredible fusion of bicycle touring and minimalist tenting, which has gained immense recognition in North America. The continent affords various landscapes, from rugged mountains and dense forests to expansive deserts and scenic coastlines. For these in search of epic adventures, listed here are eight of our favorite bikepacking routes, every providing a novel problem and an unforgettable expertise.

The Nice Divide Mountain Bike Route (Canada to Mexico)

Biking on the Nice Divide bicycle route

The Nice Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) is the quintessential North American bikepacking journey, spanning greater than 3,000 miles from Jasper, Alberta, Canada, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico, USA. This route follows the Continental Divide, crossing the Rocky Mountains a number of occasions and providing a few of the most beautiful and distant surroundings on the continent.

What Makes It Distinctive: The GDMBR is thought for its difficult terrain, which incorporates lengthy climbs, steep descents, and rugged grime roads. It’s the world’s longest off-pavement biking route, offering an unparalleled wilderness expertise. Cyclists will navigate by means of pristine wilderness areas, excessive mountain passes, and small rural cities, usually with out seeing one other soul for miles.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method

• Banff Nationwide Park (Canada): Begin your journey within the coronary heart of the Canadian Rockies with its majestic mountains and turquoise lakes.
• Brush Mountain Lodge (Colorado): A well-liked cease providing comfy lodging and hearty meals for weary cyclists.
• Gila Nationwide Forest (New Mexico): Expertise the rugged magnificence and various ecosystems of one of many largest nationwide forests within the USA.

The place to Camp

• Tunnel Mountain Campground (Banff, Canada): Positioned in Banff Nationwide Park, this campground affords beautiful mountain views and easy accessibility to Banff’s facilities.
• Spruce Campground (Montana, USA): Close to the city of Seeley Lake, this campground gives a peaceable setting with entry to the Clearwater River.
• Rio Chama Campground (New Mexico, USA): Located in Carson Nationwide Forest, this campground affords a serene riverside tenting expertise.

The Colorado Path (USA)

Colorado Path (picture: Fb Colorado Path Affiliation)

For these in search of high-altitude journey, the Colorado Path affords 567 miles of difficult and scenic bikepacking. Beginning in Denver and ending in Durango, this route traverses the Rocky Mountains, reaching elevations of greater than 13,000 ft (3,962 meters).

What Makes It Distinctive: The path consists primarily of singletrack, with sections of rugged terrain, steep climbs, and technical descents. Cyclists will experience by means of alpine meadows, dense forests, and alongside pristine mountain lakes. On account of its excessive elevation, the path is finest ridden in the summertime months, and cyclists needs to be ready for quickly altering climate circumstances.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method:

• Mount Elbert (Colorado): The very best peak in Colorado affords difficult climbs and beautiful views.
• Twin Lakes (Colorado): A picturesque spot excellent for a restful night time underneath the celebs.
• Molás Move (Colorado): A excessive mountain move with breathtaking panoramic views.

The place to Camp:

• Buffalo Creek Campground (Colorado): Positioned within the Pike Nationwide Forest, this campground affords entry to the path and delightful forested areas.
• Turquoise Lake Recreation Space (Colorado): Close to Leadville, this campground gives beautiful lake views and easy accessibility to the path.
• Junction Creek Campground (Colorado): Near Durango, this campground is a superb spot to relaxation earlier than or after tackling the path.

The Pacific Coast Route (Canada to Mexico)

Overview:
The Pacific Coast Route stretches roughly 2,000 miles from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to San Diego, California, USA. This route affords breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged coastlines, and charming seaside cities.

What Makes It Distinctive:
Cyclists will primarily experience on paved roads and designated bike paths, with occasional detours by means of city areas and coastal highways. The terrain consists of rolling hills and coastal cliffs, with some difficult climbs and descents. The route is well-supported with quite a few resupply factors, campgrounds, and lodging alongside the way in which.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method:

• Olympic Nationwide Park (Washington): Gives various ecosystems, from lush rainforests to rugged coastlines.
• Large Sur (California): Expertise the dramatic coastal surroundings and distinctive inventive group.
• San Francisco (California): A vibrant metropolis with iconic landmarks such because the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

The place to Camp:

• Cape Disappointment State Park (Washington): Gives beautiful ocean views and easy accessibility to the seaside.
• Andrew Molera State Park (California): Positioned in Large Sur, this park affords scenic coastal tenting spots.
• South Carlsbad State Seaside (California): Close to the top of the route, this campground gives lovely oceanfront websites.

The East Coast Greenway (USA)

Overview:
The East Coast Greenway spans roughly 3,000 miles from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida. This bikepacking route connects main cities, historic websites, and beautiful coastal landscapes, mixing city exploration with serene stretches of nature.

What Makes It Distinctive:
This route is primarily paved and supreme for these in search of a mixture of journey and luxury. It affords quite a lot of experiences, from bustling metropolis streets in New York and Boston to peaceable trails in North Carolina and Florida. Cyclists will get pleasure from various landscapes, together with salt marshes, forests, and seashores.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method:

• Acadia Nationwide Park (Maine): Cycle by means of considered one of New England’s most beloved nationwide parks.
• Philadelphia (Pennsylvania): Go to the Liberty Bell and Independence Corridor whereas having fun with a vibrant city setting.
• Savannah (Georgia): Discover charming streets, historic structure, and southern hospitality.

The place to Camp:

• Camden Hills State Park (Maine): Ocean-view campsites and entry to mountain climbing trails.
• New River State Park (North Carolina): Riverside tenting with lovely views.
• Lengthy Key State Park (Florida): Camp on the seaside underneath the celebs, surrounded by turquoise waters.

The Oregon Outback (USA)

The Oregon Outback Bikepacking Route is a difficult and distant journey by means of Oregon, spanning 364 miles from Klamath Falls close to the California border to the confluence of the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. The route, recognized for its magnificence and isolation, traverses principally unsurfaced roads, providing cyclists a journey by means of desolate landscapes populated by wildlife similar to coyotes and rattlesnakes. With an ascent totaling 14,376 ft and a excessive level of 5,224 ft, the route is really helpful for knowledgeable bikepackers who’re ready for restricted water and companies, and it takes roughly 5 to 7 days to finish.

Alongside the way in which, riders will encounter important highlights such because the OC&E Woods Line State Path, a 109-mile rail-to-trail conversion, and landmarks like Fort Rock and the Crooked River. The journey affords spectacular views of the Ochoco Mountains and culminates on the scenic Deschutes and Columbia Rivers. Cyclists also can get pleasure from distinctive stops just like the Cowboy Dinner Tree, recognized for its 30-ounce steaks. The Oregon Outback is widely known for its uncooked magnificence and the sense of solitude it gives, making it a bucket-list route for devoted bikepackers.

What Makes It Distinctive:
The terrain is diverse, with sections of tough gravel, sandy tracks, and easy grime roads. Cyclists will encounter excessive desert landscapes, rolling hills, and expansive sagebrush plains. The route requires self-sufficiency, with restricted resupply factors, and is finest ridden within the spring or fall to keep away from excessive summer season temperatures.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method:

• Fort Rock (Oregon): An historical volcanic formation providing dramatic views and a way of historical past.
• Prineville Reservoir State Park (Oregon): An attractive spot for tenting and water actions.
• The Dalles (Oregon): Positioned within the Columbia River Gorge, this city affords an opportunity to relaxation and resupply earlier than ending your journey.

The place to Camp:

• Collier Memorial State Park (Oregon): Close to the start line, this park affords well-maintained services and scenic campsites.
• Chickahominy Reservoir (Oregon): A distant tenting spot providing solitude and starry nights.
• Memaloose State Park (Oregon): Close to the top of the route, this park gives beautiful views of the Columbia River.

Tree to Sea Loop (Vancouver Island, BC)

Overview:
The Tree to Sea Loop is a 1,000-kilometre gravel bikepacking journey showcasing the rugged fantastic thing about northern Vancouver Island. The route connects distant oceanside villages, deep fjords, towering granite mountains, and historical coastal rainforests by means of a community of forest service roads. Riders can get pleasure from whale watching, cave exploration, and idyllic waterside tenting alongside the way in which. This epic route gives a novel perspective on Vancouver Island’s untamed landscapes whereas providing glimpses into the lives of its distant communities.

What Makes It Distinctive:
This bucket-list route captures the essence of Vancouver Island’s wild north. The journey traverses spectacular gravel paths by means of coastal mountains, alongside deep fjords, and previous breathtaking ocean vistas. Key highlights embody the Unity Path improvement, the scenic Tree to Sea Drive between Gold River and Tahsis, and the distant Scarlet Ibis Pub in Holberg. Cyclists also can discover Cape Scott Provincial Park, spot humpbacks and orcas close to Naka Creek, and ferry to Malcolm Island for the charming city of Sointula.

Greatest Stops Alongside the Method:

• Gold River: A small village nestled within the coastal mountains, providing a gateway to beautiful aspect journeys.
• Tahsis to Zeballos Water Taxi: A scenic experience by means of fjords (with future plans for a connecting Unity Path).
• Cape Scott Provincial Park: A pristine, distant park with unimaginable coastal mountain climbing alternatives.
• Port McNeill: An ideal stopover for a ferry journey to Malcolm Island.

The place to Camp:

• Naka Creek Rec Web site: Overlooks Johnstone Strait and is a primary spot for whale watching.
• Cape Scott Provincial Park: Distant tenting with beautiful coastal views.
• Bere Level Regional Park (Malcolm Island): Scenic oceanfront tenting close to Sointula.

The Arizona Path (USA)

The Arizona Path is an 800-mile (1,287-kilometer) route that spans the size of Arizona, from the border with Mexico to the Utah state line. This path affords a various vary of landscapes, together with deserts, forests, and canyons, with difficult and technical terrain.

What Makes It Distinctive: Cyclists will navigate a mixture of singletrack, grime roads, and rocky paths, with important elevation adjustments and technical sections. The path passes by means of iconic areas such because the Grand Canyon, the Mogollon Rim, and the Sonoran Desert, providing unparalleled views and a deep connection to Arizona’s pure magnificence.