How Our Trips Are Classified
We know choosing the right trip is key to having an incredible experience. Below you’ll find a clear explanation of how Sisters in the Wild classifies our bike trips — from trip type, to luggage style, to challenge level — so you can confidently find the adventure that’s right for you.
Trip Types
Bikepacking Trips
Point-to-point cycling adventures where we move between accommodation most nights. Many trips offer flexible luggage options, so you can choose to ride fully bikepacking style or use luggage transfer.
Best for: Riders looking for multi-day cycling journeys and a sense of progression.
Adventure Trips
Our Adventure Series goes beyond the bike. These trips combine incredible cycling with unique local experiences such as hiking, kayaking, cultural activities and more.
Best for: Riders who want more than just riding — and love variety.
Gravel Camps
Stay in one place for the whole trip at our basecamp. Each day offers multiple gravel route options to suit different abilities. Evenings are about enjoying basecamp vibes and spending your type recharging, relaxing, or sharing stories.
Ride with a guide or ride leader
Or head out independently
Best for: Social riding, skill-building and flexible daily challenges.
Community & Skills
Sisters in the Wild is rooted in community and confidence‑building. Each year we run Community Gatherings and Skills & Coaching events designed to bring people together and build skills such as bike mechanics, off‑road riding and introductions to bikepacking.
Trip Style (Luggage Options)
This tells you how luggage is managed during the trip.
Bikepacking Trips & Adventures
We move most nights, so your bags need to travel with you. Trips vary between:
Fully supported – daily bag transfer included
Fully bikepacking – you carry everything
On many trips, you can choose whether you want to go Bikepacking Style or add Bag Transfer to your booking.
Bag Transfer
Hand your luggage to us each morning and it will be waiting for you at the end of the ride.
Bikepacking
Carry everything you need on your bike. You can bring your own bags or hire from us, and we’re always happy to offer packing advice.
Gravel Camps
No luggage movement required!
Challenge Levels (1–5)
Our cycling trips are rated 1 to 5 based on overall challenge. This rating considers:
Terrain
Distance
Elevation gain
Remoteness & Weather exposure
Some trips show a range of challenge levels due to route options or shuttle choices.
Trips rated 4 and 5 are our WILDER adventures.
Level 1 — Starter
Best for: Riders who are confident on a bike, generally fit and healthy, and looking for a supportive place to begin.
Routes minimise climbing and distance, focusing on great experiences — whether that’s community, confidence‑building or cultural immersion.
Typical distance: under 30 km/day
Terrain: tarmac or very smooth gravel
Level 2 — Easy
Best for: Riders who are confident riding their bike and have a good level of fitness, and are looking for routes and trips that prioritise experience alongside enjoyable riding with the occasional short challenge.
Expect a good amount of flat and smooth riding, with some shorter more challenging sections.
Typical distance: 20–40 km/day
Typical Elevation: Often less than 500m per day
Level 3 — Moderate
Best for: Ideal for riders who enjoy cycling, have a good level of fitness and are up for riding multiple days in a row.
Expect moderate climbing, tackled at your own pace, with perhaps one or two bigger days and others more rolling. Terrain is usually smooth gravel and quiet roads, with short sections of rougher surfaces.
Typical distance: 40–60 km/day
Elevation: often 500 - 100m daily
Level 4 — Challenging (WILDER)
Best for: Confident off-road riders who ride frequently, have a good level of firtness and enjoy long days in the saddle
Designed for riders who ride frequently and enjoy long days in the saddle. Expect longer distances, sustained or steep climbs, and more demanding off‑road terrain such as loose gravel, rocks and bigger descents that require confidence and experience. Routes may be more remote, sometimes with limited support access.
Typical distance: 50–80 km/day
Typical Elevation: often 1,200 m+ per day
Level 5 — Very Challenging (WILDER)
Best for: Confident, resilient riders comfortable adapting on the go
Our most demanding trips. Similar to Level 4, but turned up a notch. Riders should be comfortable in remote environments and ready for added challenges such as altitude, hike‑a‑bike sections, technical terrain and variable weather. Flexibility and resilience are essential, as plans may change based on conditions.
Typical distance: 50–80+ km/day
Typical Elevation: 1200 - 1500m+ per day, probably some hike-a-bike
How We Assess Difficulty
Each trip page explains these elements in detail:
Terrain
From smooth tarmac to loose gravel, rocks, steep descents and occasional hike-a-bike sections.
Climbing (Elevation Gain)
Level 2–3 trips may include the odd big climb. Level 4–5 trips usually involve significant climbing most days.
Daily Distance
Off-road kilometres take more time and effort. Always consider distance, terrain and elevation together. Some trips offer multiple route options, which will be shown as a range.
Remoteness & Weather
Some routes offer frequent shelter and café stops. Wilder trips may be exposed, remote and harder to reroute or access quickly by a support vehicle. Altitude may be a factor.
Accommodation Styles
We use a variety of accommodation styles across our trips. Full details are listed on each trip page.
Classic
A mix of accomodation types that may include camping, hotels, guesthouses, homestays, hostels and glamping.
Premier
Comfortable accommodation every night, with standout stays along the way.
Single Supplements
Available on most trips (all nights or selected nights).
Terrain/Bike Types
Tarmac – Paved roads, suitable for a road or hybrid bike. Pavement conditions can be variable, so some trips use off-road bikes for comfort.
Gravel – Suitable for a gravel bike or hardtail MTB, depending on skill and confidence
MTB (Hardtail) – Rougher terrain and steeper, looser descents that are more suited to a hardtail mountain bike.
Still unsure which trip is right for you? We’re always happy to help you choose the best fit.
