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OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

Team Walla Walla

Gravel Routes (Photo Credit: Team Walla Walla)

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Building community around biking, Team Walla Walla strives to engage riders through group rides, training, and racing. With many no-drop rides, it is the perfect way to try and new sport and gain confidence. Team leaders Rachel Geiter and Kaler Marshall are accomplished cyclists who continue to travel the country representing Walla Walla. They have spent many hours training on the backroads of the Walla Walla Valley and assembled a growing catalog of their favorite routes.

Overview

WHAT TO DO

Biking

Whoop’em Up to Sorghum Hollow, Waitsburg (Intermediate)

Fast and fun, this mixed surface ride is a quick jaunt from Waitsburg. Clocking in at 18 miles, this route follows one of the hollows just to the north, turning into gravel part way up the steady climb, before quickly dropping away to a dizzying dirt descent back to pavement. Follow the pavement through farmland up another gully before taking Sorghum Hollow back up through an old homestead and back into Waitsburg. Want a bit more of a challenge? This can easily be added on to the common Waitsburg loop from Walla Walla to give you about 60 miles of mixed condition riding.

Barger to Fields Gulch, Prescott (Intermediate) NO SERVICES

Starting in Prescott, this 27.6 mile rough begins on pavement taking you North into the Palouse. After a gradual climb into the country the pavement gives way to gravel for a remote trek through dryland farms before popping out on a gradual paved descent for roughly seven miles. Tuning back towards Prescott, the route follows a dry slough on both pavement and gravel. Find your way into the remote parts of Walla Walla and the Palouse.

Gerking to Clodius Gravel and Evans, Walla Walla (Intermediate)

This 31.5 mile ride is an excellent choice for riders who are looking for an introduction to the gravel farm roads of Walla Walla. Following paved farm roads out of town, the route combines popular bike routes through farm land. North of town the route begins to jump off pavement to explore gravel farm roads though small gullies and rollers. As you return towards Walla Walla, mostly on gravel, enjoy riding through a vineyard sandwiched by wheat.

Lewis Peak to Jasper Mountain, Dixie (Intermediate)

Starting in Dixie, Washington, this 36 miles route starts with only a mile of pavement before turning off the highway and onto a gravel climb heading northeast into the Blue Mountains. This mostly steady gravel climb takes riders up a mountain road deep into the Blue Mountains before traversing along a ridge top giving uniquely spectacular views of the valley to the southwest, the Palouse to the north, and the mountains to the east. Follow the ups and downs of the ridge before turning onto a gravel descent that terminates just south of Waitsburg. A short stint on pavement crossing Highway 12 and then back to rolling gravel terrain to Dixie. Beware of a few steep pitches on the road up.

Cottonwood Creek to Government Mountain, Walla Walla (Intermediate, Advanced)

This 37 mile route follows much of the short Walla Walla Grit course. Leaving the Airport Area on pavement, travel through the rolling hills of the Palouse skirting the edge of the Blue Mountains heading toward Oregon. Upon crossing into Oregon, the route becomes gravel and climbs abruptly through the Blue Mountains. Enjoy epic views of the valley to the west and the majestic Blues to the east. Follow Government Mountain Road down a fast flowing gravel descent but use caution due to changing road conditions. Returning to Walla Walla, the roads transition back to paved entering Washington.

Lincton Mountain Road in the Scenic Blue Mountains, Walla Walla (Advanced)

This 67 mile route starts on pavement in town. Head south crossing into Oregon the roads become mixed with gravel and pavement. The large climb of the day is all gravel and in fairly good condition with some bumpy bedrock exposed. The route tops out on Highway 204 and follows the paved descent back down to Weston, Milton-Freewater, and eventually Walla Walla. The descent has no protected bike line or shoulder, so be very careful!

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Grouse Mountain Trail, Umatilla National Forest

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WHAT TO EXPECT

In the spring, the sprouting fields are so deliciously green, and, as summer fades, the golden hues of a bountiful harvest really steal the show. As magical as that seasonal...

WHEN TO GO

Riding the roads less traveled throughout the Walla Walla Valley is a four-season sport. If you are local, grab your helmet anytime the mood strikes you. With an average rainfall hovering around 20 inches per year, that leaves hundreds of...

HOW TO GET THERE

We love to collaborate with fellow outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Many thanks to Team Walla Walla for curating these routes. Team Walla Walla uses Garmin Connect to build their routes and track elevation gain & distance.

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