Denmark is leading the way: The new bikepacking movement - is this the future?

Last year, filmmaker Markus Weinberg visited 14 European countries for his project "European Connection Trail" from the Norwegian Barents Sea to the westernmost point of Portugal by gravel bike.

For seven weeks, he spent the night outdoors wherever possible. In the outback of Norway, Finland and Sweden due to a lack of alternatives, but in much more densely populated Denmark out of enthusiasm, because: Denmark offers over 1000 "overnight shelters" along its many designated cycle routes.

These are simple wooden huts that shelter up to 6 people from the wind and weather, some even with a fireplace, water supply and toilet. Most are free of charge, others cost a mini fee of 4 to 5 euros (app and addresses at the end of the article).

Why are the Danes doing this? Perhaps because they have already recognised the travel philosophy of the new bikepacker and gravel generation. Namely, turning away from conventional tourism structures: authenticity instead of comfort is the motto.

The philosophy of minimalist travelling

"Less is more" - this guiding principle runs through the packing strategy of bikepacking enthusiasts and defines a completely new approach to travelling itself. While traditional cycle tourists are travelling with heavy panniers and detailed hotel plans, bikepackers reduce their equipment to the absolute minimum.

A second pair of shoes? Superfluous. Shower gel and shampoo? The clear water of a stream will do. This radical reduction makes it possible to cover distances of over 100 kilometres a day on a gravel bike - at an average speed of almost 30 km/h on gravel tracks and forest paths, which would be utopian on conventional touring bikes.

The sustainability dimension of this movement goes far beyond the mere CO2 footprint. While mass tourism burdens entire regions and displaces local structures, bikepackers deliberately leave behind minimal traces.

At the same time, this form of travelling creates authentic encounters with the country and its people that would be impossible in the sterile world of hotels. A nice side effect: the drastic reduction in costs makes extended tours possible even for bikers with a limited budget.

The growing community networks via social media and specialised platforms

The bikepacking movement is fundamentally challenging established tourism structures. While hotels are fighting for occupancy rates, bikepackers are developing parallel accommodation ecosystems that bypass traditional value chains.

This trend has already triggered the first political discussions: local authorities are debating the legalisation of micro-adventure camps, while nature conservation associations are calling for more information on environmentally friendly behaviour.

The coronavirus pandemic has massively accelerated this development, as the need for nature experiences and physical activity has exploded in times of working from home and contact restrictions. The growing community networks via social media and specialised platforms, where experiences and routes are shared.

This is leading to a rapid professionalisation of the scene. At the same time, new business models are emerging: from specialised equipment manufacturers and bikepacking guides to insurance companies for alternative forms of accommodation.

The potential for sustainable tourism is considerable, as bikepacking routes also generate added value away from tourist hotspots while protecting the local infrastructure. City planners are already starting to integrate bikepacking-friendly infrastructure into their concepts.

Obviously, bikepacking is more than just an outdoor trend. This rapidly growing movement is not only democratising travel by drastically reducing costs, but also redefining sustainability: through minimal resource consumption, creative use of existing infrastructure and authentic nature experiences.

The long-term effects on the tourism industry and urban development are not yet foreseeable, but the momentum is unbroken. Bikepacking is evolving from a niche hobby into a serious alternative for a generation that prioritises authenticity over comfort and experiences over possessions.

At a time when overtourism is threatening entire destinations, this form of travel offers a way out - provided that growth takes place responsibly and in harmony with nature and society.

The best addresses for bikepackers

sheltermap.com

Free app (since autumn 2025) contains 7500 overnight shelters with detailed information on facilities, drinking water spots, service stations and campsites. Collected from OpenStreetMap, community reports and own sources.

1nitetent

Landowners offer free camping in their gardens for one night. Couch surfing in the countryside, so to speak. It's amazing how many owners have registered on this portal. However, a quick call in advance is necessary to make sure that today is the right day.

Onenightwild.com

Permitted camping: 200 official bivouac and trekking sites throughout Germany.

Udinaturen.dk

1000 to 1500 free to very cheap overnight shelters in Denmark. From a simple wooden box to a tree house or a floating wooden structure with firewood, water connection and toilet. Booking is sometimes necessary.

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