BIKEPACKING ROUTES
Proudly hosted on the bikepacking.com world route map, you can now find nine of my own, adequately designed and researched bikepacking routes in Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Kyrgyzstan and Switzerland.
THE SICILIA TRAVERSATA
Ah, Sicily, the magnificent Italian island that feels like the most powerful summary of its country’s culture, gastronomy, nature and peoples. A truly appetizing proposition it was to ride its northern mountains, plotting a mostly unpaved route from Messina to Trapani (it’s reversible!). I’m thrilled to announce my newest, 500+km, 14.000+m elevation gain and 12-day bikepacking route, now live and free for you to download, ride and savor over on Italy’s prettiest island…
THE CORSICA CROSSING
On the Mediterranean’s most mountainous island, myriad trails lead hikers through its natural core. To this day, the GR20 has always had allure to me, but doing it by bike would be a near-impossible feat. To avoid the mostly paved GT20 cycling route, I built the Corsica Crossing. This route attempts to mix Corsica’s paved and unpaved wonders into a cohesive, north-to-south delight for the senses. Its 10km hike-a-bike section is the cherry on top of 10.000+m of elevation over 500+km.
THE LIVIGNO LOOP
During a brief, two week window in October, a nook of the Italian and Swiss alps lights up as its deciduous trees change to wild shades of gold and deep, fragrant orange. The Livigno Loop aims to take riders along this natural spectacle, with high altitude unpaved trails and tracks leading the way. With just under 8000m of elevation gain, 232km in length and a recommended duration of 6 days, this is the kind of holiday ride you can squeeze into a week from anywhere in Europe.
THE AT-BASHI CIRCUIT
Deep in Kyrgyzstan’s southern-central interior, a secluded and enormous mountain range sits quietly at height. Circumnavigating it is the At-Bashi Circuit, lending to the range’s name, created by myself and Johan Wahl: a 386 kilometer-long loop that starts and finishes in Naryn, with around 5000 meters of elevation gain and a recommended itinerary of 7 days. At its highest point, the route crosses Panda Pass at 4025 meters. For those traveling in Kyrgyzstan, it serves as a small, yet expansive look at one of the country’s less traveled regions.
Caminos del Sol
Caminos del Sol is a 323 kilometer-long loop around the interior of the Spanish east coast, nestled in the mountains between Gandía and Alicante. Born out of a desire to ride unworried under sunny skies, I built this route for those looking to unwind and relish in the simple luxuries Spanish culture provides bikepackers with. From bocadillos and alcohol-free cerveza tostada, to castle views and old gravel train-tracks, Caminos del Sol is a different take on the otherwise hot, expensive and bustling Costa del Sol…
TranSardinia
Originally designed by Giorgio Pupillo, the TranSardinia has lived a long and inspiring life as an under-the-radar MTB route through the lesser known, yet mystical and magical mountainous interior of the Italian island of Sardinia. With 446 kilometers and over 10.000 meters of elevation gain it’s the type of ride that has the power to submerge you into the very depth and expanse this ancient island contains, a feeling that still exists in the places the TranSardinia crosses. Transformative is the word I’d use for this one.
LA HUELLA DEL OSO
La Huella del Oso, meaning “The Bear’s Footprint,” is a 185 kilometer-long circular bikepacking route that offers cyclists the chance to explore Asturias, a northern Spanish province home to the endangered Cantabrian brown bear. With only around 200 bears left, this route aims to raise awareness about conservation efforts while showcasing the area’s lush nature, rugged landscapes, shepherd culture as well as a wonderful bike lane initiative. It’s a loop close to my heart, that is best ridden in either during spring, or in late summer.
THE ZILLERTAL TRAIL
The Zillertal Trail is a 177 kilometer-long circular bikepacking route through the Italian and Austrian Alps. This route guides those brave enough to ride it over three spectacular passes in the Zillertal Alps. It's a loop that starts and finishes in Brunico, right by the train station to allow for an easy connection, in and out. The natural environment along this track is alpine at higher elevations, and lower elevations are lush, with great infrastructure available to offer accommodation or a taste of local cuisine.
EXPEDITION ALAY
Expedition Alay is a 466 kilometer-long circular bikepacking route in Kyrgyzstan’s wild, southwestern Alay mountain range. The idea for this route was born from the fascination Belén and I hold, for this mountain range as well as its glacial valley south of Osh. In our opinion, this is one of the most beautiful natural areas not just in Kyrgyzstan but in all of Central Asia. Since there are no bikepacking routes in this part of the country, we set out to create one and connect the ancient trading city of Osh with the marvelous Alay Valley.