What is the Bikepacking
Simply put, bikepacking is the synthesis of mountain biking and minimalist camping; it evokes the freedom of multi-day backcountry hiking, with the range and thrill of riding a mountain bike. It’s about forging places less travelled, both near and afar, via singletrack trails, gravel, and abandoned dirt roads, carrying only essential gear. Ride, eat, sleep, repeat, enjoy! (thanks to bikepacking.com)
I think you can also define bikepacking like the evolution of Cicloturismo. You need a bike, better if is a mtb or a gravel bike, because the trails are a mix of gravel and offroad. You need a bikepacking bags (like the photo). You need a trail to follow, an idea, a dream !
Is not how many km you ride for day, but the idea to start for a dream travel...that can go on for 1 day or for the life !
PLEASE IF YOU WANT DEEPEN THE KNOWLEDGE VISIT WWW.BIKEPACKING.COM
How to do...
I think there is not a real "magic potion", because there are different genres of bikepacking approach.
1)Ultralight Race: the trail is on a gravel surface or light offroad, you can use gravel bike with 42mm wide tires or a front mtb. You need rolling speed and your focus is speed and light bags. Probably you'll sleep in a bivibag, you will not change your clothes and only you need is a goretex jacket and food !
2)Multiday Mountain Trail, the trail is on real mountain offroad surface. You can choose a Mtb front or full suspension, in some occasions you can use also bike with 3' wide tires. Probably you'll take with you different kind of clothes, tends, and some camping kit.
3)Expedition: probably the main essence of bikepacking, the dream trail....for this reason the equipment It's very difficult to define.
How is Italy Divide trail ?
The Italy Divide follows fast rolling gravel roads (Francigena/Eurovelo7) with quite technical mtb trails (Lessinia/Monte Baldo) in between to explore the wild and remote parts of Italy with a plenty mix of history along the trail.
You will cross Bar, Naples, , Rome, Strade Bianche in Tuscany, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Mantova, Verona. Take your time for enjoy the most beautiful country in the world, eat the best food and wine.
1) Best bike ride ? I think a mix between gravel and front mtb, with fast rolling tires (UP to 45mm). At least 2 bottle cages, and a goretex jacket for the Alps. Camping kitchen kit ?....nooooo wherever you can find a good place to eat ;)) Up to you the bivibag or tends, however you can find nice accomodation in B&B
2) How much time to finish it ?
Depend from 5 to 10 days, please note is a real unsupported adventure...enjoy it
3)Trackers is mandatory for your safety.
Some suggests? or for more informations please sign up at BLOG
or send an email, we'll be happy to answer your questions: italydivide@italydivide.it
How to plan your Italy Divide 2026
TRANSFERS:
FROM TORBOLE TO
- AIRPORT
The nearest airports are Verona - Villafranca (85 km) https://www.aeroportoverona.it/en/, Milano - Bergamo https://www.milanbergamoairport.it/en/, Venezia https://www.veniceairport.it/en/ and Bologna https://www.bologna-airport.it/en/welcome-to-bologna-airport/?idC=62175#departing_from_bologna
From Torbole you can get to Verona Villafranca airport with the bus service of:
- FLIXBUS https://www.flixbus.it/
- DEUTSCHE BAHN https://www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml
From the Verona Villafranca airport you can get to Verona train station by bus (you can purchase tickets on the bus directly).
- RAILWAY STATION
the nearest railway station is Rovereto (Brenner line) connected by the Trentino Trasporti bus service (runs approximately every 80 minutes; the transfer takes about forty minutes).
- SHUTTLE SERVICE
From Torbole, there is also a shuttle service for a fee. Costs vary depending on the route required and the number of passengers. For information:
Bike Shuttle
Contact person: Andrea
mob. +39 329 1635392
Last but not least, please consider the limited number of rooms/bungalows available on the campsite. Further contact of available facilities will be provided in the coming weeks. In this regard we want to remember how the logo of our adventure already clearly states that the ID2024 is an "unsupported" experience. We are sure you will face it with the right mood!
Thank you All. See you soon!
INFO FOR THE NEW START IN BARI SOON