Best Short Bikepacking Routes in the UK: 1 to 4 Day
You don't need a month off work, a pricey carbon bike or a lifetime of touring experience to go bikepacking. Some of the best trips in Britain take just a weekend, and a few can be done on a bike you can hire for the trip.
Bikepacking is simply cycling with your camping or overnight kit strapped to the bike in compact bags, rather than on traditional panniers. It lets you ride the bridleways, towpaths, old railway lines and forest tracks that heavier touring setups struggle with, and sleep somewhere beautiful at the end of the day.
This guide covers five of the best short bikepacking routes in the UK: two for a first overnighter, and three for a longer 3 or 4 day trip. For each you'll find distance, terrain, difficulty, highlights and who it suits. If you're new to it, the bikepacking hire collection at Adventure Kit Hire is a good way to try the setup before buying anything.
What Makes a Good Short Bikepacking Route?
For a first trip, the best routes usually have:
● Reliable surfaces: Old railway lines, canal towpaths and well-maintained bridleways are far more forgiving than technical singletrack.
● Easy resupply: Villages, pubs and shops along the way mean you can carry less food and water.
● Accommodation options: Campsites, bunkhouses or B&Bs let you decide how much to rough it.
● Good transport links: A start and finish on a train line takes the stress out of getting home.
All five routes below are chosen with those things in mind. Distances are approximate, so always check the latest route information before you go.
1 to 2 Day Bikepacking Routes
1. Kennet & Avon Canal: Bath to Reading
● Distance: Around 87 miles (140 km), comfortably achievable in 2 days
● Terrain: Mostly canal towpath, with some hard-packed sections, some grassy and occasionally muddy stretches
● Difficulty: Easy. Flat and navigable, but the towpath can be slow after rain
● Best for: First-timers, anyone nervous about hills, and riders who like a gentle pace
This is arguably the best introduction to bikepacking in England. The route follows the Kennet & Avon Canal from the Georgian streets of Bath, past the Dundas Aqueduct, up beside the famous Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, and on through Wiltshire and Berkshire countryside to Reading.
Highlights: The Dundas Aqueduct; Caen Hill locks; narrowboats, wildlife and canalside pubs; the pretty market town of Hungerford.
Tips: A gravel or hybrid bike with wider tyres makes the towpath far more comfortable. Be courteous to walkers, anglers and boaters, as towpaths are shared spaces. Canal & River Trust guidance is a handy reference for towpath etiquette. Trains run from Reading back to Bath, so a one-way trip is easy to organise.
2. Tissington and High Peak Trails, Peak District
● Distance: Around 30 miles one way (Ashbourne to Cromford), easily extended with detours
● Terrain: Traffic-free former railway line, with a mix of tarmac and compacted stone
● Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Gentle gradients, but long and steady rather than flat
● Best for: Beginners, families and anyone who wants big views without technical riding
These two linked trails run along the route of old railways through the White Peak. The Tissington Trail heads north from Ashbourne to Parsley Hay, where it joins the High Peak Trail, which continues on to Cromford. You get wide skies, limestone dales and stone villages with almost no traffic.
Highlights: Dovedale nearby; the Middleton Incline; views over the White Peak; Cromford and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site at the end.
Tips: For a bit more adventure, detour onto the nearby Monsal Trail with its viaducts and tunnels. Camping options exist within and around the Peak District National Park, but wild camping is not generally permitted in England without landowner permission, so book a campsite or bunkhouse. Taking the little ones? Our kids' bike trailer hire makes these gentle trails a great family option too.
3 or 4 Day Bikepacking Routes
3. South Downs Way: Winchester to Eastbourne
● Distance: Around 100 miles (160 km), typically 3 to 4 days
● Terrain: Chalk bridleways, farm tracks and some short road links
● Difficulty: Moderate to challenging. Not technical, but there's a lot of climbing across the route, and wet chalk can be slick
● Best for: Riders with some fitness who want a classic, well-signed national trail
The South Downs Way is one of Britain's best-known long-distance bridleways, running along the ridge of the South Downs National Park from Winchester to the sea at Eastbourne. The finish, rolling over Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, is hard to beat.
Highlights: Sweeping ridge-top views; ancient hill forts and villages; Ditchling Beacon; the final descent to the Sussex coast.
Tips: The path is well signed, but water stops can be few and far between on the chalk, so fill up whenever you can. Chalk becomes greasy in wet weather, so allow extra time in winter. Plan overnight stops at campsites, hostels or pubs along the way. The National Trails website has the latest route details and any diversions.
4. The Ridgeway: Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon
● Distance: Around 87 miles (140 km), usually 3 days
● Terrain: Chalk tracks, grassy byways and quiet lanes
● Difficulty: Moderate. Fewer big hills than the South Downs, but some rougher sections
● Best for: History fans and riders who enjoy a mix of off-road and quiet-lane riding
Often described as Britain's oldest road, the Ridgeway links prehistoric Wiltshire with the Chiltern Hills. You'll pass Avebury stone circle, the Uffington White Horse and Wayland's Smithy along the way.
Highlights: Avebury, Uffington White Horse, Wayland's Smithy, long views across the Vale of the White Horse.
Tips: Not every part of the Ridgeway National Trail is open to cyclists. Some sections are footpath only, so follow the signed cycling alternatives and check the National Trails website before you set off. Some byways can be soft after prolonged rain, so build in flexibility.
5. The Great Glen Way: Fort William to Inverness
● Distance: Around 80 miles (130 km), typically 3 days
● Terrain: Forest tracks, canal towpath and lochside paths, mixed in quality
● Difficulty: Moderate. The distance is manageable, but the terrain is rougher and the weather less predictable
● Best for: Riders who want a proper Highland adventure without extreme remoteness
Following a natural fault line across Scotland, this route links Fort William to Inverness via the Caledonian Canal, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness. Expect big mountain scenery, the chance of red deer or eagles, and plenty of space.
Highlights: Neptune's Staircase near Fort William; Fort Augustus and the canal locks; Loch Ness and the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Tips: Scotland's access rights allow responsible wild camping, which makes this a good first taste of true bikepacking freedom. Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code first, and always leave no trace. Weather can change fast, so pack proper waterproofs, and bear in mind midges in summer. Some sections are rough, so check the current route description.
Packing Light: Bags and Kit
Bikepacking is about carrying only what you need. A typical short trip includes:
● Shelter and sleep system (tent or bivvy, sleeping bag, mat)
● Spare layers and a waterproof jacket
● Food, a stove and water capacity
● Basic tools, a spare tube, pump and chain lube
● Lights, a power bank and your phone or GPS
Good bags make a huge difference to how your bike handles. Our partner Restrap make rugged, UK-designed bikepacking bags built for exactly this kind of riding, and they're a great place to look if you're building up your own setup. If you'd rather not buy everything at once, you can hire a full bikepacking kit from Adventure Kit Hire and try it out first.
Plan Your Trip Responsibly
A few things worth doing before any trip:
● Check access rules. England, Wales and Scotland have different rights of access. Stick to bridleways, byways and cycle paths, and never assume you can ride a footpath.
● Tell someone your plan, including where you'll camp and when you expect to finish.
● Plan escape routes in case of bad weather or mechanical problems.
● Join a cycling organisation. Cycling UK offers advice, route information, insurance and campaigning support for people who ride.
Cycling UK is also a good source for route ideas and bikepacking advice from experienced riders.
Ready to Try Bikepacking?
You don't have to start with a big expedition. A single overnight on the Kennet & Avon or the Tissington Trail is enough to find out whether you love it, and from there the South Downs, Ridgeway and Great Glen are waiting.
Browse the bikepacking hire collection at Adventure Kit Hire to see what's available, and get out and explore. If you fancy mixing it up for your next trip, take a look at our packraft hire for combining riding with time on the water.
