If you’re a keen cyclist with a sense of adventure, then the appeal of a ‘bike-packing’ holiday might be difficult to dismiss. This kind of break offers all of the practical and spiritual advantages of a traditional backpacking holiday, with the key difference that you’ll be riding from place to place rather than walking. In the UK, we’re blessed with a wealth of countryside, perfectly suited to this form of long-distance travel. From adrenaline-fuelling forest trails, to soaring mountain passes, to tranquil canalside routes, this is a country with much to offer. Let’s take a closer look at bikepacking in the UK, and how to get the best from it.
Best routes
Getting started means identifying a route or two. If you’re an experienced cyclist, then you might be able to tackle the entirety of a given route in a single trip. But those newer to this kind of holiday, or who can’t afford to spend weeks in the saddle, might instead take a piecemeal approach to any of these famous trails.
Old Chalkway
This runs from Lyme Regis all the way to Holme-next-the-Sea, running through 575km of countryside. The route has the advantage of being well-connected: you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop along the way, which makes it great for those who’d like to tackle it in chunks. It’s based around a highway that’s been around for five thousand years, but the backpacking route was actually created in 2022.
King Alfred’s Way
This route will take you on a 220-mile loop around Winchester, in the south. You’ll explore Surrey, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Berkshire along the way, cycling in the footsteps of one of England’s most famous Kings. It’s ideal for those in search of a shorter experience, and who want to see the New Forest up-close.
Badger Divide
If you’re looking for a Scottish route, then you might tackle the famous Badger Divide, which starts in Inverness and takes you through the Central Highlands, via a series of old gravel and singletrack roads. Ideally, you’ll want wide tyres to deal with all of the gravel you’ll encounter.
What to know
Cycling and bikepacking is a potentially dangerous pastime, and carries with it a risk of injury. You’ll want to exercise caution, particularly on busy roads, or roads where visibility is poor. If you suffer an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then you can always make a personal injury claim. But you won’t get your holiday time back.
What to pack
Let’s run through the essential items that help to make a great backpacking holiday.
You’ll need a tent to carry along the way, and a sleeping bag or pad to rest on. You’ll also need food, drink, and a means of cooking. You can take water from streams – just be sure that you know how to clean it.
You’ll also need a means of dealing with any problems with your bike, and your person. That means a repair kit and a first-aid kit. You’ll need enough changes of clothes to keep you warm throughout the trip, as well as spare toiletries.
If you’re going to be taking electronic equipment with you, you’ll need a means of charging it. A battery pack can be extremely useful, especially if you intend to rely on satellite navigation.