Washington State is a gravel rider’s paradise, with endless miles of scenic roads and trails to explore. Whether you are a seasoned racer or a weekend warrior, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and ride. In this guide, we will take a closer look at some of the best gravel riding and racing events in Washington State.
Campbell Global tree farm (On Sale 3.15.23)
The Campbell Global Tree Farm is a ~100,000 acre working forest that is managed for sustainable timber production, but also offers endless miles of gravel roads, plenty of mystery roads and trails for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains from Snoqualmie in the south, Hwy 2 in the north, Carnation and Duval in the west, and the mountains in the east, the tree farm offers a variety of terrain, including rolling hills, steep climbs, and fast descents.
The tree farm is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, cougars and black bears, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
$75/yr for non-motorized (bike/hike) access.
CG permits explained: recreation access permits
CG Permit: Non-motorized: $75
CG Permit: Motorized: $300 (Sells out immediately)
CG Map (pdf):
Snoqualmie Valley Trail (SVT)
Snoqualmie Valley Trail is a 31-mile trail that follows the route of the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad through the scenic Snoqualmie Valley. The trail starts in Duvall and heads east to connect with the Palouse to Cascades Trail at Rattlesnake Lake near the city of North Bend, passing through beautiful farmland, forests, and small towns like Snoqualmie along the way. The trail is open year-round to hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and is popular for its beautiful views of the Snoqualmie River and the Cascade Mountains.
Palouse to Cascades Trail
Palouse to Cascades Trail, also known as the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, is a 285-mile trail that crosses the state of Washington from west to east. The trail follows the former route of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, and passes through some of the most beautiful and remote areas of the state. Along the way, the trail passes through small towns, rugged mountain ranges, and wide open prairies, offering stunning views of the Washington wilderness. The trail is open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians, and is a popular destination for those seeking a true backcountry adventure.
Gravel Races
Gravel Unravel is an endurance bicycle series on the gravel road systems of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
TheGrit Teannaway Epic
Gravel riding meet mountain biking–this is what we call Adventure Gravel. Brutal climbs, tough descents, a bit of single track on a hearty mix of surfaces where your biggest decision is whether to ride your gravel bike on this beast or your hard-tail mountain bike.
Walla Walla Grit
Allegro Cyclery is delighted to showcase the vast network of gravel roads on Sunday September 10th, 2023 for our annual gravel race, the Walla Walla Grit, affectionately known as “THE GRIT”.
Gran Fondos
Gran fondos are long-distance, timed rides that typically cover 45-80 miles or way more. These events are popular among riders of all skill levels, offering a challenging but achievable goal. In Washington State, the big show in gravel is the series put on by Jake at Vicious Cycle Gran Fondos – Vicious Cycle is a series of gran fondos held in Eastern Washington. These rides cover some of the most scenic and challenging roads in the state.
- Gran Fondo Ephrata – March 19
- Gran Fondo Goldendale – April 16
- Gran Fondo Leavenworth – May 21
- Gran Fondo Ellensburg – June 11
- Gran Fondo Winthrop – September 16
Sign up for all: RideViciousCycle
Cyclocross races
Cyclocross racing is a unique and challenging form of bike racing that takes place on a closed course with a mix of terrain and obstacles. These races are popular in the fall and winter months and offer a fun and competitive way to stay in shape. Here are some of the most popular cyclocross races in Washington State:
MFG Cyclocross Series – This series includes 6 races held throughout the fall and winter in various locations around the Seattle area. This series had the 1st and 5th biggest races in the whole country in 2022 (I raced both).
Cross Revolution – Cross Revolution is a series of cyclocross races held in the southern Puget Sound area. These 6 races offer a mix of technical terrain and challenging obstacles.
Looks like they have a website pending…https://www.cross-revolution.com/
Cascade Cross is a series based up north in Bellingham with 5 popular races.