You’ve heard of backpacking, but have you heard of bikepacking? Bikepacking is an excellent adventure opportunity. First and foremost for those of you who don’t know what bike packing is, I’ll sum it up in the simplest possible terms. It’s backpacking, but on a bike. The trickiest part of this cool past time is figuring out how to get all your gear situated on the bike. No worries though there are plenty of specialized gear for this or if you’re more of the DIY type100s of how to’s that’ll show you the basics. For more general info check out www.bikepacking.net or REI’s handy little guide.

Below we are going to list a couple of awesome routes to take around the world.

Continental Divide Trail – USA

We’ll start this list out big. The biggest in fact. The Continental Divide Trail is the largest off pavement trail in the US at a womping 2745 miles. This route is fairly remote and offers a unique perspective and fantastic views of the United States’ interior.

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Route 1 – Iceland

While not necessarily a bike path, those bold enough to bike Iceland’s route 1 are rewarded with the awesome landscapes that only Iceland can offer. It is definitely not for beginners. Check out more here.

The North Sea Cycle Route (EV12) – Northern Europe

3700 miles of paved route to explore. This trek would take you across 8 european nations and currently holds the world record for the longest bicycle path in the world. If you wanted to take this one on expect to be gone for around 4 months. This route offers awesome culture as well as the killer views. Official Website

Alps 2 Oceans Trail – New Zealand

This is our shortest trail on this list at about 200 miles. Starting at New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki Mount Cook, this trail highlights some of New Zealand’s plentiful geological, geographical and historical wonders from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean. Looking for more info? Click Me!

Carreterra Austral – Chile

Last but not certainly not least Carrereterra Austral. 810 miles of raw Chilean beauty. This route gives you the full tour of Chile from it’s vibrant cultural centers to it’s breathtaking landscapes. This sick ride is sure to thrill even the most adventurous among you. More Information.

So even if a great international trip isn’t really in the agenda at the moment, taking your bike out to local trails near you can often times make for a great adventure in itself.