UK Introduces New Bikepacking Path, Labeled as Ideal Beginning for Adventure Cycling by Designers
Introducing the Royal Chilterns Way: A Beginner-Friendly Bikepacking Adventure
The Royal Chilterns Way, a new multi-day gravel cycling and bikepacking route, has been launched by Cycling UK in 2025. This exciting adventure spans across 280 km (174 miles) of the picturesque Chiltern Hills in southeast England, providing an ideal introduction to bikepacking for both seasoned riders and beginners.
Starting and ending in Reading, the route offers a unique experience, with a different path taken on the return journey. The route is divided into three interconnecting loops—Southern, Central, and Northern—allowing riders to start from various points and tackle the route in segments or as a whole.
The Royal Chilterns Way offers a mix of terrain, with approximately 65% off-road, consisting of bridleways, byways, woodland paths, quiet country lanes, and gravel tracks. This diversity makes it suitable for gravel, hybrid, or hardtail mountain bikes. The total elevation gain of approximately 3,383 meters (11,100 feet) is spread over the route to make it manageable for most riders over multiple days.
Scenic highlights of the route include chalky ridgelines, ancient woodlands, chalk streams, National Trust properties, vineyards, and historic towns along the Thames, such as Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Chesham, and Berkhamsted. The route's name reflects its rich historical and royal heritage, with Reading once a royal borough and Buckinghamshire lending its name to Buckingham Palace.
The route is accessible via public transport, with the start in Reading (served by the Elizabeth Line of the London Underground) and passing through Chesham, also on the London Underground network, as well as other railway stations close to the loops. Riders can complete the route in three to seven days, depending on their pace and preference, making it a flexible option for those looking for a longer challenge or shorter segments.
Max Darkins, the designer of the Royal Chilterns Way, expressed that growing up in the Chilterns sparked his passion for cycling and inspired a lifelong love of the area and exploring the country by bike. He carefully crafted the route to give people the chance to escape and connect with nature.
The Royal Chilterns Way is part of Cycling UK's new Adventure Route Series, which includes six other routes: West Kernow Way (Cornwall), Cantii Way (Kent), Rebellion Way (Norfolk), King Alfred's Way (south central England), Traws Eryri (Wales), and Marcher Castles Way (Shropshire and Wales). Each route in the Adventure Series is designed for a long-week escape, accessible by train, and suitable for competent cyclists using gravel bikes, cyclo-cross, or mountain bikes.
All route details, including GPX files, are available to download free at Cycling UK's website: www.cyclinguk.org/routes/adventure-series. Long-distance cycle routes, according to Hannah Foster, head of membership at Cycling UK, are one of the best ways to explore Britain and bring benefits to local communities by supporting regional economies.
So, if you're looking for a multi-day gravel cycling experience close to London with flexible options for route length and difficulty, the Royal Chilterns Way is the perfect choice for your next adventure.
