Bikepacking Routes

Whether exploring Kentucky or some place in the surrounding region, we believe that the best way to do it is by bicycle.  While day trips are great, we are huge fans of being able to extend our journeys into multiday advetures.  In an effort to encourage you to experience the magic of bikepacking for yourself, we're working to assemble some regional routes to help get you started.

Beginner Friendly

Dip your foot in the bikepacking waters with a scenic and variable-distance ride on a paved rail-trail in Southern Ohio.

Super beginner-friendly bikepacking route is aimed at new bikepackers who want to dip their feet in the water or any bikepackers who want a quick trip to test out some new gear or a quick getaway to Red River Gorge.

Intermediate

Experience the beauty of the Big South Fork this ride in Kentucky and Tennessee.  We estimate this multisurface route to be 42 miles of gravel, with 20 miles of pavement. 

Drawing some inspiration from the Boondoggle 45 route, this mixed-surface overnighter is a mix of single track, paved and gravel roads, with a little 20 miles each day.  This lollipop route incorporates section 26 of the Sheltowee Trace, which runs along Laurel River Lake as well a number of scenic (and hilly) gravel forest roads in the Daniel Boone National Forest.  

This bikepacking route, in Land Between the Lakes, takes its inspiration from the route for the April Fool's Gravel Camp, hosted by Gear Up Cycles each spring. Matt, the event organizer, has come up with a route that we think serves as the basis of a great S240 bikepacking route.

Advanced

For more advanced regional bikepacking routes, be sure to check out these resources.

Disclaimer:  User assumes all risk and liability for any action in relations to usage of information and routes on KentuckyCycling.Org, including if actions result in injury, death, loss or damage of personal property or other complications. Kentucky Cycling, its partners, associates, and contributors accept no liability. Route information and advice is provided as a planning resource only, and is not guaranteed to be accurate or complete, and in no way should replace your own due diligence, research, and safety precautions. All users are advised to check current conditions before embarking on any route, including weather, surface conditions and closures. Riders should obey all laws including public and private land usage restrictions and guidelines and carry adequate safety and navigational equipment.