Dufur: 90 miles of gravel and pavement. Mixed surface riding for the win!
Distance: 90 miles
Elevation Gain: 8953 feet
GPX file: click right here to download it!
This is an all-day mixed surface gravel ride that starts in Hood River. There’s an option to add mileage and make it a full-on century by avoiding travel on Highway 197. Prepare for an epic, and bring lots of water and a filter. You will be far from supplies for most of this ride. You’ll be able to get water in Dufur (mile 50), the Dalles (65), and Mosier (80). Other than that, there’s a year-round stream at miles 31ish and at Eightmile Campground, approximately 33 miles in.
Park at the China Gorge Park n’ Ride in Hood River (corner of Highway 35 and Old Columbia River Drive).
- Ride east up the curvy road. Turn right on Highline Drive
- Stay right at the V to Eastside Road
- When Eastside Ts into Fir MOuntain Road, turn right and then take the next left to Thomsen Road.
- Turn right on Neal Creek Road at the T
- Turn left on Sunday drive, cross Highway 35
- Turn left on Neal Creek Mill Road and then right on Davis Drive
- Turn left up Straight Hill Road and then go straight to Massee Grade
- Cross 35, ride up about 1/4 mile to Booth Hill Road
- Go straight past Neal Creek Mill Road and turn left uphill to stay on Booth HIll Road, which turns to gravel
- At the next intersection, go left on to NF-17
- You will be on this road for approximately 13 miles. It’s mostly gravel.
- At approximately mile 29, go left on Dufur Valley Road (aka “the 44 Road)
- At approximately mile 50, you’ll come to a intersection. Go left to enter the town of Dufur. Go through town and get on Highway 197. Head north (left)
- You will be on this yucky highway for approximately 12 miles. You can avoid it by taking Eightmile Road to Firfteenmile to State at mile ~57, but you’ll be adding at least 5 miles to the ride. Eightmile Road is awesome.
- Either way, when you arrive at the intersection of 197 and Highway 30, go left.
- Work your way up to 10th Street, which becomes awesome when it intersects with Cherry Heights Road
- At mile ~68, take a right on Chenowith Loop Road.
- Turn left on Highway 30, and follow it all the way to Mosier.
- Get tacos at the absolutely spectacularly delicious La Vaquita Taqueria
- Head west on 30 and take a right on Rock Creek Road. Take this to the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail (paved, closed to cars).
- Follow this back to your car.
- Collapse.
Have an awesome day.
Love, Temira