Gravel and bikepacking destinations: Why these five countries in particular are so popular

Great adventures with authentic encounters in landscapes that are as vast and remote as possible, far from tourist hotspots. That’s probably a fair summary of what a bikepacker is looking for. At least, if you have a browse through the relevant community forums.

Another major focus, perfect for Instagram, is ‘Lost Places’ – forgotten ruins from the recent past. For example, an old factory site, a mine or an abandoned monastery – places with a history that no one has yet written down, a history just waiting to be discovered.

It’s also important to have a clear goal – one that sounds as ambitious as possible. Because even though gravel bike travellers aren’t focused on speed or record times, a ‘wow’ factor makes you stand out in the community and, above all, helps to keep you motivated.

Or, as Nelson Trees, co-founder of the Trans Continental Races series, puts it:

It’s all about discovering the blank spots on the map. It’s about taking people to unexpected places that take their breath away. Things can get a bit tough at times, but in the end it all has to make sense and be worth it. - Nelson Trees

Even though most gravel cyclists will probably start by testing themselves and their new bike – complete with bikepacking kit – on a ride just outside their front door or on a trip across Germany, they’ll eventually be drawn to more distant horizons. Not least because the forums are full of such adventure stories. Unfortunately, there are no officially compiled figures. So we did what any adventure-seeker would do – we asked the AI: Which countries are currently the most popular destinations for bikepackers and gravel cyclists? The results surprised us in some respects:

5th place: Italy

That might not sound very adventurous at first, but Italy naturally has far more to offer than South Tyrol, Lake Garda and Finale Ligure. The Apennines alone stretch 1,200 kilometres through the ‘boot’ of Italy. If you avoid the coastal roads and steer clear of tourist hotspots such as Florence, Rome and Naples, you can cycle for days on end through the most secluded landscapes, passing ancient monasteries, abandoned mountain villages and rice fields. The scenery is constantly changing, and the Italian cuisine just gets better and better. The same applies to the islands of Elba, Sardinia and Sicily, which can be circumnavigated on a gravel bike via exciting routes.

Another major draw for gravel cyclists is the “Tuscany Trail”, which takes place every May. This 445-kilometre self-supported route through the Tuscan hinterland holds the world record for the number of participants, with 6,000 riders.

Further advantages for Italy:

• Good weather from March to November
• Good rail links
• Affordable catering
• Budget accommodation / campsites

4th place: Switzerland

The gravel terrain for advanced riders. Why? Because the spectacular mountain landscape, complete with its crystal-clear lakes, features long climbs and descents – possibly on rougher gravel tracks with sections where you’ll need to carry your bike. Beginners are advised on the forums to start by crossing the much flatter Swiss Jura with all their kit on their bikes. This is also because the area is still wild and undeveloped. In fact, a 400-kilometre-long bikepacking route was only recently signposted here.

Experienced motorcyclists recommend particularly remote and quiet mountain passes in Switzerland to one another. Another challenge is finding particularly affordable places to stay overnight. Wild camping is prohibited in Switzerland!

3rd place: Iceland

At first glance, this destination may seem surprising, as Iceland is home to what is arguably the most cycling-unfriendly weather in Europe: unrelenting gales from the Atlantic can grab hold of your panniers and tear you off the gravel track. If you’re unlucky, you’ll be faced with rain, snow and/or sleet several times a day. But that’s precisely what bike-packing is all about: experiencing these powerful forces of nature. Iceland also boasts what is arguably the wildest landscape in Europe: volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs – all within a very small area. And even though Iceland itself is a rather expensive destination, the campsites are relatively cheap at 10–15 euros.

Incidentally, the island has also become well known amongst bike-packers thanks to the Arna Westfjords Way Challenge (1,000 km / 4 days in July).

2nd place: Scotland

The Scottish Highlands also offer plenty of adventure: a remote, wild ‘hilly’ landscape, harsh weather conditions, historic castle ruins, and there are even signposted routes criss-crossing the country (the Ten Peaks Trail). Wild camping is permitted in Scotland, but not on private land, which is often fenced off with stone walls. So, practically speaking, it’s almost always allowed south of the Highlands. In the Highlands, camping can save you a fair bit on your travel budget, though you’ll have to put up with the dreaded midges. These are tiny moor flies that rise from the ground in the evening when there’s no wind and can be extremely annoying.

1st place: Norway

No other country in Europe is cycled through and discussed more frequently by the cycling community. Even Markus Weinberg, a cyclist on the “European Connection Trail”, was surprised by how many bikepackers he encountered in this country. Many, of course, were heading for the Lofoten Islands, the Arctic Circle or even the North Cape. But the sheer length of the country is also appealing: over a distance of almost 1,800 kilometres (as the crow flies!), you only come across any significant signs of civilisation in the south. The further north you go, the more often you encounter reindeer, but the harder it becomes to find food.

Norway’s major advantages:

• Vast, open and spectacular landscapes
• Right of public access: wild camping is generally permitted
• Midsummer Night: Long distances are possible

Our conclusion:

The gravel and bikepacking community is particularly focused on destinations that were previously considered ‘too expensive’. However, as bikepacking means that the only travel costs involved are food, these destinations become affordable again. These are also countries that, due to their high costs, have not developed mass tourism. As a result, there are still many kilometres of cycling to be enjoyed through wild, almost untouched countryside.