Mt. Ashland (Ashland Loop Rd) Gravel Climb

United States Oregon Mt. Ashland (Ashland Loop Rd)

Mt. Ashland (Ashland Loop Rd) Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

30.7

PDI

20.7 mi

DISTANCE

5,576 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

5 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Sarah Gates (Cycle Oregon; Dialed Cycling), Vancouver, WA; Ryan Taylor, Medford, OR

INTRO

Mt. Ashland (Ashland Loop Rd) is a 20.7-mile gravel climb that starts right in downtown Ashland, Oregon and finishes at 7,394 feet near the summit of Mt. Ashland, the high point of the Siskiyou Mountains above the Rogue Valley. It gains 5,576 feet at a 5.02% average grade - one of the longest gravel climbs in Oregon, and one that, unlike most bike climbs, actually finishes on the true summit of the mountain it's named for. The route leaves Ashland's Lithia Park on Granite Street, follows Glenview Drive into Ashland Loop Road, and becomes Forest Road 2060 once it crosses into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and the Ashland Municipal Watershed. From there it's a narrow, winding decomposed-granite forest road that climbs above and around the East and West Forks of Ashland Creek before eventually connecting to the roads that lead to the Mt. Ashland Ski Area and the true summit. The steepest riding comes in short bursts rather than one sustained wall - the steepest continuous kilometer averages just under 12%, but most of the distance is a long, grinding, moderate-grade slog through forest. The payoff is genuine: sweeping views over the Ashland watershed and the Rogue Valley, and on a clear day, sightlines from the summit that can reach toward Mt. Shasta to the south. Because the road passes entirely through Forest Service and municipal watershed land, it's subject to seasonal snow - it typically isn't reliably clear until July - and to fire-related restrictions; the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has active Stage 3 fire restrictions as of this writing, so check current forest and watershed-access conditions before heading out, especially during peak summer and fall fire season.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route.

The climb averages 5.02% over 20.71 miles, gaining 5,576 feet from about 1,916 feet in Ashland to 7,394 feet near the Mt. Ashland summit. It's a long, grinding climb rather than a series of steep pitches - the steepest kilometer comes in at 11.99% and the steepest mile at 11.25%, but those are the exception. Most of the distance sits at a moderate, sustained gradient that rewards pacing over raw power.

Roadway: The first stretch out of Ashland - through Lithia Park, up Granite Street, and onto Glenview Drive - is paved. At the National Forest boundary the road becomes Forest Road 2060, a narrow, winding decomposed-granite surface that's generally rideable on a gravel bike but can be rutted and washboarded, especially after spring runoff. The upper road connects into the network serving the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, which brings back some pavement near the top. This is a Forest Service road with no winter maintenance - snow can linger into early summer at elevation, so it's not reliably clear until around July. Traffic: Traffic is light once you're past Ashland's residential streets. Forest Road 2060 and the watershed roads see occasional forestry vehicles, mountain bikers, and hikers, but very little vehicle traffic beyond that. The lower in-town section naturally carries more car traffic. Parking: There's no dedicated trailhead lot for the full climb - riders typically start from street parking near Lithia Park in downtown Ashland. To shorten the ride, some riders drive the first several miles and park near the White Rabbit Trailhead in the watershed, though unauthorized vehicle use is prohibited beyond that point on Forest Road 2060.

A gravel bike with 40c+ tires or a hardtail mountain bike is the right tool - the decomposed granite surface is generally smooth but turns loose and rutted in spots, and traction matters more than raw speed on this climb. Carry all the water and food you'll need; there's no potable water or services anywhere on the route once you leave Ashland. Given the nearly 5,600 feet of elevation gain, pack layers - conditions at the 7,000+ foot summit can be 20-25°F cooler and considerably windier than in town, even in summer. A basic flat kit is worth having given the rougher gravel stretches.

Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.

Ashland is a well-known small city in southern Oregon, about 15 miles north of the California border and a dozen miles south of Medford, with Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) the nearest airport. It's a full-service base - hotels, restaurants, bike shops, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival are all right at the climb's start in and around Lithia Park. Because the route crosses Forest Service and municipal watershed land, check current Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest road and fire-restriction status before riding, particularly in late-summer/fall fire season when the watershed can see access restrictions. Best riding window is typically July through October, once snow clears from the upper elevations and before it returns.