Eureka Dunes
Development Route
Death Valley NP, California (South)
A remote ride that visits the tallest sand dunes in California, possibly the tallest in all of North America. And ... if the conditions are right, they even sing!
Route: Out & Back | 47 mi
Gain: 4,550 ft
Surface: 80% gravel, 20% paved
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Extremely Remote
Fairbanks
5 Star (Premiere) Route
The Dalles, Oregon
A mixed gravel bike ride exploring the quiet and beautiful hills above the Columbia River Gorge. Historic farming country. Big views! (with shorter and longer options)
Route: Lollipop | 51 mi
Gain: 3,800 ft
Surface: 45% gravel , 55% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Rural
Options: Shorter, Longer
Flathead
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Whitefish, Montana
A rugged and remote ride in Glacier National park. It bumps and bends through historic burn areas, wetlands and aspen groves. Then parallels the Flathead river for miles. By Guest Contributor and unridden by Team DF.
Route: Loop | 54 mi
Gain: 3,200 ft
Surface: 75% gravel, 25% paved
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Free Man
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Tucson, Arizona
A route free (mostly) of rough, gnarly roads with beautiful Sonoran desert, the Ninety-six Hills, and an old, abandoned ranch.
Route: Loop | 35 mi
Gain: 1,600 ft
Surface: 100% Gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Frye Mesa
Development Route
Tucson, Arizona
A simple out & back venturing into the Pinaleno mountains and ending at Frye Mesa reservoir. Offering up spectacular views of the Gila River Valley below and Mount Graham above.
Route: Out & Back | 19 mi
Gain: 2,200 ft
Surface: 85% gravel, 15% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Geronimo Trail
5 Star (Quick Build) Route
~ Douglas, Arizona
The gist of the route is this: you start out with a gentle incline across open grasslands, then start to wind yourself up, up and up through a scenic canyon with loads of cottonwood trees, passing by Outlaw Mountain.
Route: Out & Back | 32 mi
Gain: 2,100 ft
Surface: ~ 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Remote
Options: Longer
Ghost Hill
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Portland, Oregon
A mixed gravel bike ride through rolling hills, farmlands, and woodlands in the Willamette Valley. Hard-packed gravel roads. Great early season riding! A ride that gives you an appreciation for the Oregon outside of the major metro areas.
Route: Loop | 40 mi
Gain: 2,600 ft
Surface: 45% gravel, 55% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Rural
Giants Throwing Stones
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Burns, Oregon
A remote mixed gravel bike ride with wetlands, desert rangelands, Ponderosa and Juniper forests and a spectacular canyon. And ... a sector with giant boulders thrown about!
Route: Loop | 57 mi
Gain: 3,000 ft
Surface: 60% gravel, 40% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Gibraltar Road
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Santa Barbara, California (South)
Climb the famous Gibraltar Road, explore the Santa Ynez River, and bask in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara.
Route: Loop | 45 mi
Gain: 6,900 ft
Surface: 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Rural
Options: Shorter
Happy Camp
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Mitchell , Oregon
Streams, mountain meadows, ponderosa trees and big open skies. And a signature climb and descent ... with swooping switchbacks and killer views.
Route: Lollipop | 36 mi
Gain: 3,200 ft
Surface: 60% gravel, 40% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Happy Valley
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~ Burns, Oregon
Craters of the Moon Outstanding Natural area, a big beautiful valley, and old ranch houses. What more could you ask for?
Route: Lollipop | 44 mi
Gain: 1,500 ft
Surface: ~ 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Rural
Haystacks & Skulls
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Bend, Oregon
A mixed gravel bike ride with big mountain views, some history, a touch of gnar and pitched climb (not too long). This is the concatenation of two 5 Star Routes: Haystack and Skull Hollow.
Route: Loop | 35 mi
Gain: 2,300 ft
Surface: 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Huck & Heidi
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Eugene, Oregon
A sweet climb up to Huckleberry Road (the Huck), two sections of the Aufderheide (the Heidi), and a loop up to Christy Flats. The route is loaded with wild rhododendrons and bear-grass. And then there’s the bonus of the Office Covered Bridge, the longest covered bridge in Oregon.
Route: Loop | 51 mi
Gain: 4,000 ft
Surface: 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Iron Gate
Development Route
NorCal (Yreka), California (North)
Rolling hills, long stretches along the Klamath river and a circumnavigation of Iron Gate reservoir and Copco lake.
Route: Lollipop | 53 mi
Gain: 4,000 ft
Surface: 65% gravel, 35% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
J-Bob
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Tucson, Arizona
A rugged route that showcases the beautiful, rolling Ninetysix hills, a Saguaro Cactus forest, and some of the lushest Sonoran desert we have seen.
Route: Lollipop | 41 mi
Gain: 2,000 ft
Surface: 100% Gravel
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Rural
Jackass Gulch
Development Route
Boise, Idaho
Mountain climbs, beautiful river views, and a gravel KOM” is the way this route was promoted when put on as a Gran Fondo in 2019. The Fondo was a bust, but we believe the route has potential.
Route: Loop | 44 mi
Gain: 3,800 ft
Surface: 75% gravel, 25% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Rural
Kangaroo Bay
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Hobart, Tasmania
A lovely ride along Kangaroo Bay and the Huon river followed by a short, but intense climb of Cradoc hill. A go to ride in the winter and when the weather is less than ideal.
Route: Loop | 25 mi
Gain: 2,400 ft
Surface: 40% gravel, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Rural
Kendrick Mountain Wilderness
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Flagstaff, Arizona
This route weaves through southwest Ponderosa Pines and Gamble Oak that are signature to the Southwest US. You will ride through open prairies and enjoy views of the San Francisco Peaks. At about 8000 feet, the apex of the climbing, will come the payoff ... your best views of the mountains and surrounding wilderness.
Route: Loop | 28 mi
Gain: 1,700 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Kintla Lake
Development Route
~ Whitefish, Montana
A gravel ride through grassy meadows marking the floodplain of the North Fork of the Flathead River and a short section of thick forest of Douglas fir and hemlock. The payoff: Kintla Lake.
Route: Out & Back | 32 mi
Gain: 1,200 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Kloochman
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Prineville, Oregon
A mixed gravel century (almost a century) that includes the Crooked River Canyon scenic bikeway, the Maury Mountains, and the Post / Paulina road. This ride links two of the best paved roads in Central Oregon with a gravel segment through ranching and farming country and some national forest.
Route: Loop | 92 mi
Gain: 4,400 ft
Surface: 40% gravel road, 60% tarmac
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Las Cienegas (The Inner Loop)
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~Tucson, Arizona
An easier and shorter ride through an important ecological grassland / wetland area bounded by several mountain ranges. Big open views. And a visit to the historic Empire Ranch where 30+ Western films were made.
Route: Loop | 16 mi
Gain: 700 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Options: Longer
Las Cienegas (The Outer Lollipop)
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~Tucson, Arizona
This is one of the three signature routes we have documented in the Las Cienegas Conservation Area. It is the longest and most demanding route. You will wander through an important and beautiful ecological grassland / wetland area bounded by several mountain ranges.
Route: Lollipop | 34 mi
Gain: 1,600 ft
Surface: 100% gravel
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Liffey Falls
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~ Launceston, Tasmania
A route with big variety that road cyclist should love. Rolling farmlands. Wooded forests. A rain forest. Small creeks. A beautiful falls. A river. And … more farmlands.
Route: Loop | 45 mi
Gain: 3,400 ft
Surface: ~ 35% gravel, 65% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Rural
Lost Wagon Train
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Madras, Oregon
This route highlights many of the unique features of riding gravel in Madras. The Baldwin Hills. Hay Creek. The Crooked River National Grasslands. The farming community of Gateway. Lake Simtustus. Dry Canyon. A great early season ride!
Route: Loop | 57 mi
Gain: 4,600 ft
Surface: 35% gravel, 5 % Roubaix, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Rural
Lost!
5 Star (Premiere) 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
Madera Canyon (via Box Canyon)
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Tucson, Arizona
The Madera Canyon (via Box Canyon) out and back is no secret to local riders and there’s a reason: it’s a solid five star ride. As gravel cyclists, we love variety … in the surface, the scenery, and the wildlife … which this has all three. But the route is backloaded, meaning the second half is harder than the first.
Route: Out & Back | 40 mi
Gain: 4,000 ft
Surface: 55% gravel, 45% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Metolius Preserve
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~ Sisters, Oregon
Explore the quiet and beautiful Metolius Preserve with larch, fir, and pine trees. The colors in the fall are out of this world!
Route: Tootsie Roll | 14 mi
Gain: 800 ft
Surface: 50% gravel / double track, 50% single track
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Metolius Preserve + Bonus Lakes
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~ Sisters, Oregon
This is a really, really great route! The only reason it is not a 5 Star route is that it uses elements of three other 5 Star routes: the Metolius Preserve, Sherman’s March, and GravelCracker 85. We like this route in the fall (Octoberish) when the Larch trees are golden yellow. The route is not too demanding, but there is a significant amount of easy mountain bike single track
Route: Tootsie Roll | 28 mi
Gain: 1,800 ft
Surface: 75 % gravel, 25% single-track
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Mingus Mountain
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Sedona, Arizona
A route with a chunky knee-busting climb, big views, a stupendous descent and a stop in the town of Jerome, "The Wickedest Town in the West". Visit the Douglass House, a museum devoted to the history of the Jerome area and grab a bit to eat.
Route: Loop | 36 mi
Gain: 4,800 ft
Surface: 50% gravel / dirt road, 50% pavement
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Montezuma
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Tucson, Arizona
The route climbs up the majestic Montezuma Pass, dives off the back …. then sweeps down across open grasslands in the San Rafael Valley. Three pitched rollers later and you arrive at Parker Canyon lake.
Route: Out & Back | 36 mi
Gain: 4,300 ft
Surface: 93% gravel, 7% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Moon Moss
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Eugene, Oregon
This a “pinch me” route … you really won’t believe it. Big white flowers of bear grass, Warner Ridge lookout, mountain views in every direction, and Moon Point + Moss Mountain.
Route: Loop | 43 mi
Gain: 4,900 ft
Surface: 70% gravel, 30% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
Motown
5 Star (Premiere) Route
~ Detroit, Oregon
A ride with a big beat! Roll along Detroit Lake, climb to the basalt cliffs. Deep green forests. And lots of wild rhododendrons in the spring.
Route: Lollipop | 40 mi
Gain: 3,900 ft
Surface: 40% gravel road, 60% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Remote
Mt Barrow
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Launceston, Tasmania
Mt Barrow is one of the most difficult and rewarding climbs in the Launceston area. And, this “loop with a dogleg” route turns the incredible climb into quite the adventure.
Route: Loop | 31 mi
Gain: 4,500 ft
Surface: 85% gravel, 15% paved
Technical Difficulty: Very Demanding
Locale: Remote
Over the Rainbow
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Madras, Oregon
Includes miles of old railway grade, river hugging single roads, a secret, one lane tunnel, the colorful Rainbow store, Lake Simtustus, and the Erickson Aircraft Collection (a Flight museum). Wow!
Route: Loop | 42 mi
Gain: 1,900 ft
Surface: 10% gravel road, 30% double track, 5% single track, 55% paved
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Locale: Rural
Options: Longer
Owl Head
5 Star (Premiere) Route
Tucson, Arizona
A beautiful ride with undulating terrain, big saguaro cactus, views of Picacho Peak and Owl Head buttes. A go to 5 Star ride from Tucson.
Route: Loop | 32 mi
Gain: 1,000 ft
Surface: 85% gravel, 15% single track
Technical Difficulty: Easier
Locale: Urban Backcountry
Owyhees Tour
Bikepacking Route
Southeast, Oregon
A four-day, bikepacking route across the Owyhee Mountains, over the Owyhee Desert, and along the Owyhee River. Highlights include the ghost town of Silver City, the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway, Three Forks Hot Springs, and herds of wild antelope.
Duration: 4 Days
Route: Loop | 225 mi
Gain: 14,000 ft
Surface: 75% gravel, 25% paved
Technical Difficulty: Demanding
Locale: Remote
