Gravel Trails & Conditions
Wildfire activity has closed a number of roads in the valley. Please check for closures before heading out to ride.
Stay safe, and happy riding!
Enjoy Some of the Best Gravel Riding in the Northwest
At Methow Cycle & Sport, we're committed to providing you with the best information on all things cycling, including bike products and services in our shop as well as trail conditions to help you get out and ride in the Methow Valley. Check back here for updates before you head out, as riding conditions vary and new trails open frequently. Been out riding? Let us know about trail conditions.
Bear Creek Rd + Pearrygin Loop
CURRENT CONDITIONS: A good beginner 12-mile loop, about half pavement and half gravel, passing by Bear Creek Golf Course and Pearrygin Lake State Park. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Bear creek + Balky Hill Figure 8
CURRENT CONDITIONS: Fully rideable. This is a quintessential Methow Valley gravel ride, with beautiful views of the valley and surrounding hills. Take in the wildflowers in the spring as you climb up and over Balky Hill to Hwy 20, then retrace your steps back to Bear Creek and all the way back down into Winthrop.
Boulder Creek Loop
CURRENT CONDITIONS: Closed due to wildfire activity. Some snow patches near Freezeout Pass may remain. A 21.6 mile ride with 3,000 ft. up and down. Great local gravel loop. Beautiful climb on quiet Forest Service road. Wonderful views and fun decent! Electric assist bikes allowed.
Elbow Coulee to Buttermilk Creek
CURRENT CONDITIONS: An almost 50-mile challenging ride that takes you through Elbow Coulee, the most direct gravel connector from Winthrop to the upper Twisp River Valley. Then, ride up Buttermilk Creek for some great views on quiet gravel roads. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Hart's Pass Road to Slate Peak
CURRENT CONDITIONS: A challenging ride up Washington's highest maintained road gaining almost 5,500 ft in 43 miles when leaving from the Mazama Store. Be alert as this gravel road is winding, in some places only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by a drop of many hundreds of feet unprotected by guardrails. Spectacular view at the top, the site of the Slate Peak fire lookout tower. Electric assist bikes allowed. Remember, bikes are not allowed on PCT trail.
Mazama - Quick Gravel Ride
CURRENT CONDITIONS: When you want a quick ride on some quiet gravel roads, head to the Mazama store and head out this 6+ mile ride connecting some of the paths created by the winter ski trails. You can make it even easier by skipping the Doe Canyon spur. Electric assist bikes not allowed.
Rendezvous pass to banker pass
CURRENT CONDITIONS: Closed due to wildfire activity. A more challenging loop of 34 miles and 4,000 ft. up and down. Long climbs rewarded by long descents. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Twisp River Valley Loop
CURRENT CONDITIONS: Thompson Ridge closed due to wildfire activity. The loop starts at Elbow Coulee to Poorman Creek, climb Black Pine Lake to Buttermilk Creek and finish on Thompson Ridge. Challenging gravel loop with lots of elevation change, a mix of valley views and quiet forested riding. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Winthrop to Carlton + Beaver Creek + Balky Hill
For a mix of pavement and gravel, take the East and West county side roads to Carlton but add some distance and elevation by returning via Beaver Creek Rd. then down Balky Hill for a more challenging ride. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Winthrop Valley Loop
CURRENT CONDITIONS: A challenging ride with lots of elevation gain in the first half giving you sweeping view of Mt. Gardner and the valley, followed by quiet forested roads on the return. From the shop, take West Chewuch to Rendezvous/Gunn Ranch Rd., through the Rendezvous Basin, and the back Wolf Creek Rd Loop to Winthrop. Electric assist bikes allowed.
Wolf creek to mazama lollipop
CURRENT CONDITIONS: This valley floor route from Winthrop to Mazama and back again is a great spring and fall ride. Follow Wolf Creek Rd up from Winthrop, then cross over to Goat Creek Rd up to Mazama. Retrace yours steps, or ride the highway back down to Wolf Creek.
“BUILDING TRAIL”
The Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance-Methow Chapter has been steadily improving the trails up at the Chickadee trailhead. Trail work parties are a fun way to give back to the trails we all enjoy and keep the good times rolling!
When I'm out riding, I always bring my camera along in the Topeak Compact Handlebar Bag for $59.95. It's quick release bracket slides easily on and off my bike, (I have a bracket for each of my bikes) and it converts to a fanny pack off the bike. It even comes with a rain cover for those times I'm caught in the elements.