The timber industry fueled the Klamath Basin economy for much of the 1900s, and its decline left behind dozens of miles of gravel roads crisscrossing the region’s forests and waterways. These abandoned back-roads make for ideal gravel grinding cycling terrain, with awesome views of wildlife, old forests, mountain peaks and many lakes. The spiderwebs of logging trails make it possible to extend or shorten your ride as you see fit, offering riders many options. One other secret… here you can ride the State’s longest park, the OC&E Woods Line State Trail, for a 100 mile gravel grinder adventure.
Gravel Grinders
Hagelstein Out and Back
Rating: Moderate to Difficult
Miles: 55.4
Climb (ft): 777
Descent (ft): -777
“I’ve been riding and racing bicycles (sans training wheels) since I was two. Over the years I’ve become an avid road, mountain and gravel rider with the good fortune to ride all over the world… from the hills of the Dolomites, trails of Colorado and throughout Oregon’s roads and single track. And honestly I’ve never ridden in a place as accessible, diverse and fun as Klamath Falls. From the challenging and scenic “backyard” trails of Moore Park to the growing network at Spence Mountain or Brown Mountain or all of the ‘epic’s’ within an hour of here to the endless scenic asphalt ribbons that role through the Southern Oregon Cascades and high desert there’s something for everyone.”
-Adam Burwell, Co-founder of Lost Cascades Bicycle Club and Product Engineer at Jeld-Wen.
More Trip Ideas
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When most people think of Klamath, they imagine birds—lots and lots of birds. And while that reputation is well-deserved—the Klamath Basin sits along the largest migratory bird route in the western United States—it’s also earning acclaim for another outdoor pursuit: cycling. It’s easy to see why cyclists are captivated. The Klamath Basin hosts a rich variety of natural beauty, from lush forests to scenic Crater Lake, and cyclists of all skill levels can tackle hundreds of miles of pavement, gravel, and dirt trails. And 300
