The open road is a fine thing. But the road less traveled? That’s where the magic happens. Gravel biking unlocks a world of forgotten backroads, dusty farm tracks, and winding forest paths. Honestly, it’s freedom on two wheels.
But here’s the deal: the best gravel adventures don’t just happen. They’re crafted. A little planning transforms a random ride into an epic story you’ll tell for years. Let’s dive into the art and science of plotting your perfect gravel route.
Start with the “Why”: Defining Your Adventure Style
Before you even open a map, ask yourself what you’re after. Are you craving a brutal, all-day sufferfest with 5,000 feet of climbing? Or a mellow, three-hour coffee cruise with a pastry stop? Your goal dictates everything.
Think about your adventure style. Some riders are explorers, happiest when they’re lost on a new network of trails. Others are tourers, looking to connect towns and enjoy local cuisine. And some are athletes, focused on stats and personal bests. There’s no wrong answer—only the right answer for you.
The Digital Toolbox: Your Route Planning Essentials
Gone are the days of squinting at paper maps (though they’re a great backup, you know). Today’s digital tools are a game-changer for gravel bike route planning.
Mastering the Map Layers
The secret sauce lies in using the right map layers. Topographic maps show you the soul-crushing hills. Satellite view reveals the actual surface—is that a clean gravel road or a muddy jeep track? But the real power move? Using a dedicated cycling layer like OpenStreetMap (OSM) or Strava Global Heatmap.
The Strava Heatmap is like having a local guide. It shows you where other cyclists actually ride. A bright, glowing line on a backroad is a pretty good sign you’ve found a gem. A faint or non-existent line? Well, that’s either an undiscovered paradise or a complete disaster. The thrill is in finding out.
Your Go-To Planning Platforms
You’ve got options. Lots of them.
| Platform | Best For | The Vibe |
| Komoot | User-friendly planning & brilliant voice navigation. | The intuitive friend who knows all the cool spots. |
| Ride with GPS | Detailed customization & cue sheets. | The meticulous engineer with every detail covered. |
| Strava Routes | Leveraging popular segments and Heatmap data. | The data-driven coach who finds the most efficient path. |
My advice? Try a few. Komoot is fantastic for its simplicity and spot-on surface type predictions. Ride with GPS gives you incredible control for those multi-day bikepacking routes. Honestly, most of us end up using a combination.
The Nitty-Gritty: What to Actually Look For on the Map
Okay, you’ve got your tool. Now what? Staring at a digital map can be overwhelming. Break it down.
Surface Type: The Heart of the Matter
Not all gravel is created equal. When planning, look for these common map indicators:
- Unpaved Roads: Your bread and butter. Could be hardpack gravel, dirt, or crushed stone.
- Forestry or Fire Roads: Often wider, but can feature chunky rock or sand traps.
- Doubletrack: Two parallel paths. Usually rideable, but can be rough.
- Singletrack: A narrow trail. Fun if you’re on a capable bike and have the skills, but it’ll slow you down.
A pro tip? Use the satellite view to “ground truth” your route. Zoom in. Does that grey line look like smooth gravel or a rocky mess? That five minutes of reconnaissance can save you hours of hike-a-bike.
Elevation Gain: Don’t Get Sucker-Punched
Fifty miles on flat ground is one thing. Fifty miles with constant, rolling hills is a whole different beast. Pay close attention to the elevation profile on your planning app. Look for those sneaky, sustained climbs that don’t look like much on the map but will have your lungs burning.
A good rule of thumb for a challenging but enjoyable day? Aim for about 100 feet of climbing per mile. More than that, and you’re in for a real grind.
The Human Element: Planning for Reality
Maps are one thing. The real world is another. This is where your route goes from a line on a screen to a real adventure.
Resupply and Bail-Out Points
This is non-negotiable. Trace your route and identify towns, gas stations, or even a lone country store. Mark them as waypoints. These are your lifelines for water, food, and—if things go sideways—a potential escape route.
Ask yourself: “If I break a chain here, how far am I from help? If I bonk at mile 60, is there a place to get a soda and a bag of chips?” This kind of thinking turns a potential epic fail into a minor inconvenience.
Weather and Seasonality
That perfect hardpack gravel road in July could be a soupy, unrideable quagmire in March. Check recent conditions if you can. Local bike shop social media groups or forums are goldmines for this kind of intel. A little research can mean the difference between a dream ride and a nightmare.
Final Pre-Ride Checklist: Don’t Leave Home Without…
Your route is plotted. The excitement is building. Before you shove off, run through this quick list.
- Share Your Route: Send a live tracking link or a screenshot of your map to someone you trust. Include your expected finish time.
- Download Your Map: Cell service is a myth in the best gravel areas. Download the route for offline use on your phone or bike computer.
- Pack the “What-If” Kit: A multi-tool, a quick link, a tube (or two!), a pump, and a patch kit. Maybe even a small emergency blanket. It all fits in a bag, and it’s worth its weight in gold.
- Charge Your Gear: Phone, bike computer, lights, power bank. A dead device with your map on it is just a useless brick.
And remember—the plan is a guide, not a gospel. The real magic often happens when you see an intriguing side path and decide, on a whim, to see where it goes. That’s the heart of gravel riding. It’s not just about the destination you plot, but the unexpected discoveries you make along the way. Now get out there and find your next line on the map.
