1. The Kokopelli Trail (Colorado & Utah)
Distance: 142 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Best Time to Ride: Spring or Fall

Stretching between Fruita, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, the Kokopelli Trail is a legendary bikepacking route that takes riders through red rock canyons, desert plateaus, and rugged singletrack paths. This multi-day ride offers a mix of technical challenges, steep climbs, and rewarding descents. Riders must be prepared for remote conditions, as water sources and resupply points are scarce.

2. The Oregon Outback (Oregon)
Distance: 364 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Best Time to Ride: Late Spring to Early Fall

The Oregon Outback is a gravel-packed route that runs from the California-Oregon border to the Washington state line. Cyclists traverse high-desert landscapes, remote farmlands, and forested valleys, encountering few towns along the way. This ride requires self-sufficiency, as services are limited, but the solitude and breathtaking open spaces make it worth the challenge.

3. Maah Daah Hey Trail (North Dakota)
Distance: 144 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time to Ride: Summer to Early Fall

Tucked away in the rugged badlands of North Dakota, the Maah Daah Hey Trail is one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Known for its stunning rock formations, rolling prairie hills, and remote wilderness, this trail provides a true backcountry experience. The terrain varies from fast singletrack to steep climbs, making it perfect for intermediate to experienced riders.

4. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (Montana to New Mexico – Segment)
Distance: Varies (Full route: 2,700 miles)
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time to Ride: Summer

While the entire Great Divide route spans from Canada to Mexico, some of the most spectacular and least-traveled sections are found in Montana and Wyoming. This ride is an endurance challenge, featuring high-altitude passes, unpaved roads, and vast wilderness. If you're looking for a truly remote adventure, tackling a segment of this route will test both your fitness and navigation skills.

5. The Arkansas High Country Route (Arkansas)
Distance: 1,172 miles (Multiple Loops Available)
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time to Ride: Spring & Fall

Designed for serious adventure cyclists, this backcountry gravel route loops through the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains. Riders will experience steep climbs, river crossings, and stunning forested landscapes. With sections passing through small towns, there are occasional opportunities for resupply, but riders should still be prepared for long stretches of solitude.

6. The Lost Coast (California)
Distance: 75 miles
Difficulty: Challenging
Best Time to Ride: Summer

California’s Lost Coast is one of the most remote and rugged stretches of coastline in the country. This route follows a mix of paved and gravel roads, taking cyclists through towering redwoods, steep cliffs, and deserted beaches. Be prepared for unpredictable weather and intense climbs, but the reward is an unforgettable coastal adventure with almost no traffic.

Subscribe