Bikepacking for Beginners: How to Plan Your First Trip

Bikepacking for Beginners: How to Plan Your First Bike Trip?

14 October 2026 (3-minute read)

Bikepacking means travelling by bike with minimalist gear strapped directly to the frame, saddle and handlebars — no traditional pannier rack. It's an accessible practice for anyone, from first-timers to seasoned cyclists. This guide walks you through choosing your bike, your bags and the essential gear for your first adventure.

What is bikepacking?
Which bike should you choose: gravel, MTB or road?
Bags and gear for the ideal bikepacking setup
FAQ

What is bikepacking?

Bikepacking: a quick definition

Bikepacking means travelling by bike with minimalist gear strapped directly to the frame, saddle and handlebars, without a traditional pannier rack. Weight saving and self-sufficiency sit at the heart of the practice.

How is it different from cycle touring?

Cycle touring relies on side panniers mounted on a rack; bikepacking uses compact bags attached with straps or Velcro. The difference matters in practice: you save weight, the load sits closer to the centre of the bike, and the whole setup stays stable across mixed terrain — exactly what you want when you leave the tarmac.

Which bike should you choose: gravel, MTB or road?

A gravel bike is the most versatile choice — comfortable on tarmac and stable on gravel tracks, even when fully loaded. A mountain bike (MTB) shines on narrow technical singletrack, but it offers fewer fixing points for bags. A road bike suits long distances on tarmac, provided the frame and drop bars accept a handlebar bag.

Quick comparison:

Bike type	Ideal terrain	Versatility	Stability when loaded
Gravel	Road + tracks	★★★	Excellent
MTB	Technical singletrack	★★	Good
Road	Tarmac	★	Fair

Which gear and bags for the ideal bikepacking setup?

For a first bikepacking trip, you'll need four types of compact bags fixed with straps or Velcro:

The saddle bag, fitted under the saddle and around the seatpost (8 to 16 L), carries your tent or sleeping bag.
The handlebar bag (8 to 15 L) holds your clothes.
The frame bag, fitted on the top tube or inside the triangle (3 to 6 L), suits heavy items.
The fork bags round off the setup.

For the rest of your kit: a waterproof jacket , a down jacket , a head torch, a power bank and a camera. To kit yourself out, the Picture Outdoor Lifestyle collection offers sustainable garments that move easily from the saddle to the campsite.

Bag checklist:

Saddle bag: 8–16 L
Handlebar bag: 8–15 L
Frame bag: 3–6 L
Fork bags: 2–4 L each

FAQ

How do you sleep on a bikepacking trip: tent, bivy or tarp?

A tent gives you full comfort and full protection against rain and insects. A bivy bag is the ultralight option of choice — minimal and compact, but designed only for sleeping. A tarp sits in between, with a good weight-to-protection ratio. Whatever you choose, invest in a sleeping bag rated for the temperatures you expect and a stove for hot meals at camp.

Where to go bikepacking in the UK and which routes across Europe?

The UK is full of routes for every level. England has King Alfred's Way (a 350 km off-road loop linking the Ridgeway, North Downs Way and South Downs Way), the West Kernow Way in Cornwall and the Pennine Bridleway. Scotland adds the Caledonia Way in the Highlands and the John Muir Way along the east coast. The Great North Trail runs from the Peak District up to the Scottish border. For shorter outings, large sections of the National Cycle Network (managed by Sustrans) suit bikepackers of all levels. Across Europe, the EuroVelo network covers more than 90,000 km of signed cycle routes — EuroVelo 5 or EuroVelo 8 are both well-suited to bikepacking.

How many kilometers should you cycle per day when bikepacking?

For a beginner, aim for 50 to 80 km per day. An experienced bikepacker can cover 80 to 120 km daily. These distances depend on the terrain and elevation gain: flat bike paths allow for faster riding than mountainous trails. Start gradually and listen to your body.