Best Bikepacking Routes in Europe for First Timers

Europe is arguably the best continent in the world for a first bikepacking trip. The infrastructure is excellent, with well-maintained cycling paths, frequent villages for resupply, reliable public transportation for bail-out options, and a culture that treats cyclists as legitimate road users rather than obstacles.

These routes are selected specifically for first-timers. They offer manageable distances, reasonable terrain, good signage, and enough services along the way that you are never far from food, water, or shelter if something goes wrong.

The Loire Valley, France: EuroVelo 6

The Loire a Velo route follows the Loire River through the heart of France for roughly 800 kilometers from Cuffy to Saint-Brevin-les-Pins on the Atlantic coast.

The entire route follows dedicated cycling paths and quiet rural roads with almost zero elevation gain because it follows the river valley floor.

The scenery is spectacular in a gentle, rolling way. Vineyards, sunflower fields, medieval villages, and Renaissance chateaux line the route. The towns along the way are close enough together that you never need to carry more than a day of food, and wild camping is easy along the river if you prefer not to use campgrounds.

For a first-timer, the flat terrain means you can focus on learning the rhythms of bike touring without the added challenge of climbing mountains.

Expect to cover 60-100 kilometers per day depending on how many chateaux you stop to admire.

The Danube Cycle Path: Austria and Beyond

The Danube Cycle Path from Passau, Germany to Vienna, Austria is one of the most popular cycling routes in Europe, and for good reason. It follows the Danube River through the Austrian countryside for about 340 kilometers, almost entirely on dedicated bike paths separated from motor traffic.

The route is flat to gently rolling, well-signed with the familiar EuroVelo 6 markers, and passes through numerous towns and villages where guesthouses, restaurants, and bike-friendly accommodations are plentiful.

You could ride this route without carrying camping gear at all, staying in guesthouses or hotels each night.

The Wachau Valley section between Melk and Krems is the scenic highlight, with terraced vineyards, ruined castles perched on hilltops, and picturesque riverside towns. This section alone is worth the trip.

Kattegattleden, Sweden

This 390-kilometer route follows the Swedish west coast from Gothenburg to Helsingborg. It was designated as a national tourist cycling route and is signed, mapped, and maintained to a high standard.

The terrain is flat to gently rolling, following coastal roads and cycling paths.

The route passes through charming fishing villages, seaside towns, and open coastal landscapes. Services are frequent. The riding surface is predominantly paved or well-packed gravel. Swimming opportunities in the sea are available at numerous points along the way.

Sweden right of access policy means you can camp almost anywhere for one night without permission, which simplifies logistics enormously.

Just pitch your tent a reasonable distance from the nearest house, leave no trace, and move on in the morning.

The Camino de Santiago, Spain: Via de la Plata

The Camino de Santiago is famous as a walking pilgrimage, but cycling it is equally rewarding and covers ground much faster. The Via de la Plata route runs from Seville north to Santiago de Compostela, about 1,000 kilometers through the Spanish interior.

This route has more climbing than the river valley options and passes through some sparsely populated sections of Extremadura and Castilla y Leon.

But the pilgrim infrastructure makes it accessible: albergues (pilgrim hostels) provide cheap accommodation, towns are spaced a manageable distance apart, and the waymarking is excellent.

The cultural experience elevates this beyond a simple bike ride. Walking and cycling pilgrims share the path, and the sense of communal purpose adds a dimension that purely recreational routes lack.

The North Sea Cycle Route: Netherlands Section

The Netherlands is the most bike-friendly country on earth, and the North Sea coast section of the EuroVelo 12 route showcases this perfectly.

The Dutch section runs about 570 kilometers along the coast from the Belgian border to the German border, almost entirely on dedicated cycling infrastructure.

The terrain is as flat as terrain gets. Wind from the North Sea can be a factor, but the extensive dune and dyke system provides some shelter. The route passes through beach towns, nature reserves, fishing villages, and the distinctive Dutch polder landscape.

For a first-timer who wants to experience bikepacking with minimal physical challenge, the Netherlands is hard to beat. The cycling infrastructure is so good that navigation is almost automatic, services are never more than a few kilometers away, and the flat terrain makes big daily distances achievable.

Planning Tips for European Bikepacking

Most European countries are part of the Schengen area, which means no border controls between them. You can ride from France to Germany to Austria without stopping for passport checks. Carry your passport anyway, as some accommodation may require it for registration.

Water is safe to drink from the tap in most of western and northern Europe. You do not need a water filter. Carry a reusable bottle and refill at cafes, restaurants, or public fountains.

Trains in most European countries accept bicycles, either in dedicated bike cars or with a bike ticket. This gives you enormous flexibility to skip sections, recover from mechanical problems, or reposition if the weather turns bad. Research the specific train company bike policies for the countries on your route before you go.

Wild camping is legally permitted in Scandinavian countries and Scotland. Elsewhere, it ranges from tolerated to technically illegal. In practice, discreet camping away from towns and private property is rarely a problem if you set up at dusk and leave at dawn without leaving any trace.