New Year, New Trails: Plan the Ultimate Backpacking or Bikepacking Adventure in 2026

New Year, New Trails: Plan the Ultimate Backpacking or Bikepacking Adventure in 2026

New Year, New Trails: Plan the Ultimate Backpacking or Bikepacking Adventure in 2026

By Smokey McPickle

There’s something about a blank calendar that begs to be filled with adventure. If you’ve been dreaming of sleeping under stars, pedaling through gravel alleys, or walking miles through the quiet of deep woods, 2026 is your year.

Whether you’re new to the trail or coming back for another round, this guide walks you through how to plan and pull off your next backpacking or bikepacking trip — with insight, not gear hype.

1. Pick the Trail That Matches Your Mindset

What are you looking for this year — challenge, solitude, or a slow roll through small towns and tall trees?

If you’re after an approachable multi-day ride, the Montour Trail in Pennsylvania is a stellar starting point: flat, scenic, and steeped in history. Want to go big? Iconic hikes like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or Camino de Santiago offer immersive, months-long escapes that test body and mind.

Tip: Don't just choose a trail—choose a story you want to live out this year.

2. Embrace the Ultralight Way of Life

Lighter = freer. That’s the rule of the trail.

Adopting an ultralight mindset isn’t about being spartan — it’s about cutting weight without cutting comfort. Bring what you need, not what you fear. Choose items that serve multiple purposes and pack deliberately.

Examples:

  • A bandana can be a towel, water pre-filter, sunshade, or potholder.

  • A tarp shelter with trekking poles can replace a tent and cut pounds off your load.

Pro Tip: If your gear list is stressing you out, simplify. The trail rewards those who trust themselves.

3. Don’t Skip the Planning

Winging it sounds romantic until you're caught in a thunderstorm with no shelter and a half-eaten granola bar. Good planning is what turns a rough outing into a rejuvenating journey.

Start with:

  • Route Research: Use platforms like Gaia GPS or AllTrails to map out your mileage and terrain.

  • Permits & Rules: Some trails require permits for camping or biking — get them early.

  • Weather Awareness: Always check seasonal conditions. Spring mud? Summer heat? Plan accordingly.

Build a simple itinerary:

Day Start End Miles Notes
1 Trailhead Camp A 10 Water nearby
2 Camp A Camp B 15 Steep climb

Leave it with someone you trust. It might never be needed — but it might save your life.

4. Trail Food: Fuel, Don’t Just Fill

Food is morale.

You don’t need fancy gear to eat well. Focus on:

  • High-calorie, low-weight meals: dehydrated grains, nut butters, dried fruits.

  • DIY trail meals: couscous, ramen, or instant mashed potatoes pack small and cook fast.

  • A simple stove and cup can handle most meals without weighing you down.

Bonus: Trails like the Montour pass through towns where you can stop for fresh food and local eats.

5. Capture Moments, Not Just Miles

You’re not just logging distance — you’re writing a story.

Bring a lightweight camera or just use your phone, but make time to actually take photos. Look for:

  • Morning fog lifting off a creek.

  • The way sunlight hits a forest floor.

  • Dirt-caked smiles after a long climb.

Pro tip: Shoot at golden hour — the 30 minutes after sunrise and before sunset — for the best lighting.

6. Think Like a Steward, Not a Visitor

This land isn’t just a place to pass through — it’s home to something older and wilder than us.

Follow Leave No Trace principles:

  • Pack out everything.

  • Camp 200 feet from water sources.

  • Respect wildlife from a distance.

  • Stay on trail when possible.

The goal: Leave it better than you found it.

7. Make 2026 the Year of Micro-Adventures

Not every trip has to be epic. A one-night ride to a local state park or a weekend backpack through a nearby forest can refresh your soul just as much as a 100-mile haul.

Start small, start local — but start.

If you’re new to bikepacking, check out beginner-friendly routes like rail trails or national park loops.

The Trail Is Waiting. What Are You?

Whether your journey is five miles or five hundred, the open trail is a reminder: you can always start again. You can always go further. You can always return to what matters.

So here’s to 2026 — a year of planning, packing, pedaling, and discovering that you’re capable of more than you think.

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