Discover Bikepacking: Europe's Latest Craze In Adventure Travel And Best Places To Indulge In The Experience

Travellers are enjoying an exciting new trend that is part backpacking and part bike touring. Searches for bike trips have climbed by 151% in the last year, according to booking site Omio, while searches for 'bikepacking' have increased by 100%.

What is bikepacking?

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This one-of-a-kind vacation choice combines the freedom of a bicycle with the independence of backpacking. With your necessities strapped to your bike, you can wander off the usual road, uncovering hidden jewels unreachable by car.

It's also good for the environment and much better if you get there by train. Continue reading to learn about four of Europe's top bikepacking routes, each of which begins at a train station.

Many trains have designated cycling places, but it's essential to double-check and secure a spot ahead of time. Most suppliers levy a little extra fee.

Before you go, check the local camping restrictions. Some European countries allow wild camping, which means you can pitch a tent on most public grounds. Most countries, however, restrict camping to specific areas, so make sure you plan ahead of time.

The length of each trip depends on your speed, fitness level, and the number of stops you make along the way.

Explore museums and chocolate between Amsterdam and Bruges

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Cyclists can go from Amsterdam to Bruges along the North Sea Cycle Route. Begin your tour in the vibrant Dutch capital, where you may marvel at the stunning canals and world-class museums.

Enjoy seaside landscapes, dunes, and mediaeval towns like Ghent en route to Belgium. When you arrive in Bruges, treat yourself to some excellent Belgian chocolate and beer - you've earned it after hundreds of kilometres of cycling.

While this route is mostly flat, strong headwinds can occasionally make the ride more difficult. Both Amsterdam and Bruges are large train stations, the trip is easily accessible by train.

Look out for flamingos on the road to Perpignan

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This route runs over 500 kilometres from Valance on the Rh?ne River's banks to Perpignan near the French border. Cyclists should use the southern stretch of the European Divide path, which is a difficult ride with some rough off-road sections.

Consider stopping in Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the way. The Arles Amphitheatre and the Alyscamps Necropolis are two of the city's well-preserved Roman remains. If you like nature, keep a lookout for flamingos and wild horses in the Camargue marshes.

Take the Devil¡¯s Staircase in the Scottish Highlands

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The Highland Trail 550, which winds through the Scottish Highlands' highlands and lochs, is not for the faint of heart. The 885-kilometre journey takes riders through the ancient wilderness, past cascading waterfalls, and over inaccessible summits. It's reserved for experienced bikepackers with highlights like the 'Devil's staircase,' a dangerous ascent up the side of a mountain.

Scotland is one of the few countries in Europe with a legal right to wild camp, which means you can pitch a tent on any public ground (with a few exceptions and regulations).

Skim through Roman ruins in Germany¡¯s rolling forests

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The Taunus Storm Chase is a thrilling cycling excursion that takes riders across Germany's Taunus area. This route winds through undulating hills, lush forests, and attractive towns, beginning and ending in the mediaeval village of Runkel.

Parts of the cycling trail follow the old line of fortifications that separated the Roman Empire from the Germanic tribes until 260 AD. Runkle can be reached by train, which takes around six hours from Brussels.

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