Routes
The bikepacking and gravel cycling routes highlighted here range from well-known, popular routes that are published and maintained by other organizations, to some lesser known tracks extracted from deep within forgotten cycling forums, or devised by our contributors. For popular routes stewarded by organizations like Vermont Bikepackers, Bikepacking.com, Bikepacking Roots, or Adventure Cycling Association, links and recognition to the originating organization are provided. Please refer to these sites for the most up-to-date information, questions, etc. The routes highlighted here emphasize unpaved, trail, and car-free adventures.
Overnighters and Multi-day Bikepacking Routes
| Route | Description |
|---|---|
| The Adirondack Trail Ride (TATR), TATR Organization | Not New England, but close enough. TATR is a 585 mile adventure through the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Several versions of varying difficulty exist, all are tough. |
| The Bay Circuit Trail, The AMC | Approximately 200 miles circumnavigating Greater Boston, camping options on route are limited, but creditcard touring is a viable option. |
| Bos/treal, Boston Cyclist Union | 400 miles of international fun from Boston to Montreal. Ridden annually as a weeklong tour and fundraiser for Boston Cyclists Union. Numerous versions exist with varying levels of dirt and difficulty, the version shown here is the “dirt” version. Take the Amtrak one-way for a car-free adventure! |
| Cross NH Adventure Trail (XNHAT), XNHAT.org | An approximately 80 mile route across northern New Hampshire, linking together rail trails, dirt roads, bike paths, and quiet pavement. Options exist to easily link the route to extensions in Maine and Vermont. |
| The Drake Passage, Bikepacking.com | A truly awesome overnighter in Western Massachusetts.This route has it all- rail trail, singletrack, fire roads, swimming opportunities and dispersed camping. |
| The Green Mountain Gravel Growler, Bikepacking.com | Vermont farm roads, singletrack and beer. Over 250 miles of prime Vermont gravel riding. |
| Baxter State Park/Katahdin 360, Bikepacking.com | Approximately 100 miles of solitude as you circumnavigate Mt. Katahdin and Baxter State Park in Northern Maine. A highlight is the nearly empty Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument right next door. |
| Marth’s Vineyard Bikepacking Route, Northeast Bikepacker | A hidden gem. |
| Mud Pie and Ice Cream Float, Bikepacking Roots | Peri-urban overnighters accessible via public transit on the MBTA. Routes utilize significant rail trail and short sections of singletrack. Short but challenging options for beginners. |
| Newburyport to Portland, East Coast Greenway Alliance | Part of the Eastern Seaboard spanning East Coast Greenway, this section sticks to rail trails and pavement. |
| New England’s Backyard, Urban Dirt | Approximately 450 miles through central MA, CT and RI. The route was originally devised as a creditcard tour, but the mapping provided here lists possible camping options. |
| Vermont Super 8, Vermont Bikepackers | New England’s most popular ‘Grand Depart’ style bikepacking adventure. Features some of Vermont’s most rugged ‘Class IV roads. Ride the 650+ mile full 8, the 275 mile North Lobe, or the 380 mile South Lobe. |
| Vermont XL (VTXL), bikepacking.com | A ribbon of continuous dirt from the Canada border south to Massachusetts. Incredible gravel riding the whole way. |
| Cross Connecticut Trail, bikepacking.com, Dirtbag Machine Works | Winding dirt tracks from New Haven to the Mass border. Hilly and remote, any bike will feel like the wrong choice. |
Bikepacking Routes Under Development
Numerous routes are being dreamed up, planned, scouted, and refined. The following list of routes are some that we are most excited about, but haven’t thoroughly vetted for rideability, safety, or legality. If you would like to help scout these routes, please reach out, and we can share the status of the route and any other information we have available. We simply ask that in return you provide some feedback about the riding experience. If you are interested in riding one of these routes, know that you do so at your own risk.
Singletrack-heavy proving grounds
Get sendy with it. These routes are primarily singletrack. Mix and re-mix segments for a choose-your-own type adventure. Lap the technical singletrack as training for your upcoming epics like the Colorado Trail Race or Highland 550. Camping opportunities are limited to the DCR campground in Harold Parker State Forest, and a couple of private campgrounds in the vicinity.