Maps & Apps
Five great resources for finding your next gravel ride route.
Photo: Irene Gurrieri
By Julia Polloreno
We asked, and you delivered. Our crowdsourced list of resources for finding new gravel ride routes:
This is a very comprehensive map-based database of gravel and dirt roads and paths, submitted by the public. An important point made on their site: “Online maps generally do not give any indication of a road’s surface type…you have to rely on satellite imagery, which may or may not tell you what you need to know about a road’s surface.” A lot of the routes have detailed descriptions, but you should be ready for different types of terrain.
This site was created by two women in the Denver area who wanted to create a resource for other female cyclists. “Our goal is to encourage all people (especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community) to explore the power of the outdoors through venturing onto dirt roads,” say founders Laura and Rose on their site. While it’s very Colorado focused, there’s a ton of routes to inspire travels all over. You’ll also find downloadable maps and ride tips.
This site has over 8,000 miles of curated routes in Oregon, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, California (and Tasmania!). The routes are “premier routes—the best of the best” and vouched for (i.e. ridden) by a member of the Dirty Freehub team. They are also in the process of becoming a nonprofit with the mission of connecting gravel cyclists to where they ride and the organizations that protect those lands.
This route planner allows you to select “Gravel Riding” as an option and map out directions from Points A to B. You can also utilize the “Discover” feature to locate established routes near you and download straight to your phone. If you’re feeling wanderlusty, the route database includes epic dirt routes all around the world.
Like Strava, this is a popular app for recording—and finding—ride routes, but the focus here is just on cycling. There are nearly 30,000 crowdsourced routes, and it’s easy to download cue sheets for a route. Check out the free trial of the Premium membership ($10/month) to unlock advanced route planning options, like adding points of interests to rides.
Other notable mentions:
Facebook Groups (private and public). One of our favorites is the private group Women Gravel Cyclists, which is a great resource not just for ride suggestions but for connection with other groad lovers.
“I like going to BikeReg.com and seeing what Gravel Grinder Events they have listed by location.” - @acarterclark
Instagram:
@omtm.cc @upland_scuz_contingency - @alexisjmartin_
@gravelgraceland for Northern Colorado - @whit.allison
@urbandirtorg has some cool routes I've been meaning to ride! @gravelstoke does too. – @almaontheroad
Did we leave your go-to off this list? Reach out through our Contact page and let us know!
