Ajo Mtn Drive
5 Star Route
Tucson, Arizona
A ride through the remote Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument with jaw dropping mountain views, a natural arch, loads of wildlife, and more than a few organ pipe cactus.
Route: Lollipop | 20 mi
Gain: 1,300 ft
Surface: 90% gravel, 10% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Remote
Ash Meadows
5 Star Route
~ Las Vegas, Nevada
In the midst of the high Mojave desert just outside of Death Valley, a dry, inhospitable and what at first glance seems lifeless, lies an oasis with a very rare and unique ecosystem.
Route: Loop | 42 mi
Gain: 997 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Remote
Blue Wolf
Development Route
~ Eugene, Oregon
A point to point ride, with more elevation loss than gain. This route offers up beautiful views of the mountains, quiet forest roads, two beautiful lakes, a roaring river, and a hidden waterfall. We saw loads of blooming bear grass and wild rhododendrons.
Route: Point to Point | 50 mi
Gain: 3,700 ft
Surface: 60% gravel, 5% single-track, 35% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Destination Milkshake!
All Access Route
~ Klamath Falls , Oregon
Mountain views, an alpine meadow, pristine lakes and a path through a lava field all in 18 miles of accessible riding.
Route: Out & Back | 18 mi
Gain: 1,100 ft
Surface: ~ 100% gravel/dirt path
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Options: Longer
Harriman Trail
5 Star Route
~ Ketchum, Idaho
A close to town gravel ride along the Harriman Community Trail. Informational kiosk, big mountain views and a stop at the historic Galena Lodge.
Route: Out & Back | 39 mi
Gain: 2,300 ft
Surface: ~ 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Options: Shorter
Hart’s Pass / Slate Peak
Development Route
~ Winthrop, Washington
A narrow, windy mountain road with steep side cliffs leading to jaw dropping views of the North Cascade mountains.
Route: Out & Back | 29 mi
Gain: 5,000 ft
Surface: 100% unpaved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Hell of Hess
5 Star Route
~ Baker City, Oregon
A bucket lister route for the avid cyclist. One of the most demanding climbs in the state. The deepest canyon in the United States. Big views. And some interesting history.
Route: Loop | 46 mi
Gain: 5,198 ft
Surface: ~ 30% gravel, 70% paved
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Honeyman
5 Star Route
Florence, Oregon
A captivating ride with a waterfall, lake-adjacent skinny roads reminiscent of bike trails, sand dunes, a historic boathouse, rolling farmlands, and a logging road climb. A must do! (With shorter option - 45 miles, 4500 feet.)
Route: Lollipop | 54 mi
Gain: 5,300 ft
Surface: ~30% gravel, 70% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Extremely Remote
Options: Shorter
Hoover
5 Star Route
Las Vegas, Nevada
The Hoover Dam is a whole lot of concrete and whole lot of history. And luckily for us gravel types, there’s a scenic way to get to the dam which starts along the shores of Lake Mead, twists up through a series of impressive tunnels, and then ends up at the dam. So skip taking the tour bus …
Route: Out & Back | 16 mi
Gain: 1,400 ft
Surface: 50% gravel, 25% bike path, 25% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban
Horn of the Metolius
5 Star Route
~ Sisters, Oregon
Explores the “Horn” of the Metolius river — the area defined by a sweeping 25 mile bend in the river — an area designated as “Wild and Scenic.” It’s a hard rugged ride with river hugging views.
Route: Loop | 53 mi
Gain: 4,600 ft
Surface: ~ 80% gravel, 10% single track, 10% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Extremely Remote
Options: Shorter
Lost!
5 Star Route
Hood River, Oregon
Lost: it’s the name of the lake you are headed to … with one of the most iconic photo opportunities in Oregon. And while Lost Lake has surely been found, very few people (cars or cyclists) are on this route – a derivative of the classic Vista Ridge road ride. This is a must do ride if you are in the area.
Route: Loop | 57 mi
Gain: 5,800 ft
Surface: 14% gravel, 36% Roubaix, 50% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Maria Island
5 Star Route
Hobart, Tasmania
Maria island is a must do gravel ride if you are in Tasmania. It is a fantasy island of fun riding, big views and history. And there are no cars on the island!
Route: Loop | 22 mi
Gain: 1,900 ft
Surface: 100% gravel + short section of wide single track
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Rural
McDowell Mountain
5 Star Route
Phoenix, Arizona
A great beginner+ ride on the wide single track of McDowell Mountain Regional park. Just smiles!!
Route: Lollipop | 28 mi
Gain: 1,500 ft
Surface: 45% wide single track, 55% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Mt Hopkins
5 Star Route
~Tucson, Arizona
A simple out and back with a big climb and even bigger views! And ... a stop at the Whipple Observatory Visitors Center. Go inside!
Route: Out & Back | 31 mi
Gain: 4,200 ft
Surface: 40% gravel, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Priest Hole
5 Star Route
~ Prineville, Oregon
Start at the famous Painted Hills, then roll through farmland and along the John Day River. Punchy climbs with loads of Kodak picture-taking moments.
Route: Loop | 42 mi
Gain: 3,500 ft
Surface: ~ 50% gravel, 50% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Rabbit Ears
5 Star Route
~ Medford, Oregon
Old growth forest with granddaddy trees, the enfolding Rabbit Ears rock formation that will leave you inspired, and a jaunt up to a lookout tower that will have at least half your group pushing their bikes!
Route: Loop | 30 mi
Gain: 4,000 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Extremely Remote
Steens Mountain Loop Road
5 Star Route
~ Burns, Oregon
The Steens Mountain Loop Road departs the tiny, historic town of Frenchglen and climbs up Oregon’s eighth-tallest mountain on a tour of massive gorges, vast panoramas and one of the most spectacular lakes in the Pacific Northwest.
Route: Loop | 72 mi
Gain: 7,300 ft
Surface: 85% gravel, 15% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
The Dirty Eagle
5 Star Route
~ Baker City, Oregon
The mountain panoramas begin the moment you roll out on this view-packed ride. Along the way, you’ll pass the ghost town of Sparta—founded on the promise of gold—the nearby community of New Bridge, which once supplied it with agricultural goods, and the serene banks of Eagle Creek as you ride through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Much of the route features smooth gravel, with some forest road scree and dirt mixed to keep it interesting.
Route: Loop | 51 mi
Gain: 5,700 ft
Surface: ~ 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Options: Bikepacking
Twenty Mule Team
5 Star Route
Death Valley National Park, California (South)
A short and easy mixed ride through Twenty Mule Team Canyon, used in the filming of several Star Wars films. Spectacular shadows and colors.
Route: Lollipop | 7 mi
Gain: 700 ft
Surface: 40% gravel, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Water & Lava
5 Star Route
Bend, Oregon
The gem of Bend … the best entry-level gravel ride in the area. Includes meandering along the Deschutes river, a stop at roaring Benham Falls, a “grunt” up to Lava Butte (optional) and and easy jaunt over to Sunriver.
Route: Loop | 31 mi
Gain: 1,400 ft
Surface: 45% gravel, 20% single-track, 35% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
WRIAD (White Rim in a Day)
5 Star Route
~ Moab, Utah
Nestled within the rugged beauty of Canyonlands National Park in Utah is this iconic 100-mile loop. It promises a perfect balance of heart-pounding ascents, exhilarating descents, and awe-inspiring scenery at every turn. This one-day challenge demands grit, determination, and a healthy dose of wanderlust.
Route: Loop | 100 mi
Gain: 8,800 ft
Surface: ~ 90% gravel, 10% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Behind every route is scouting, mapping, storytelling, and a whole lot of pedal power.