Middleburg Gravel Grinder is a 40.6-mile loop starting in Middleburg, with 3,786 feet of climbing. About 28.7 miles (71%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 11.9 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 4.9 miles on Sullivans Mill Road, Burrland Lane.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop spreads its gravel evenly across the ride: 14.9 gravel miles in the first half and 13.8 in the second. Along the way it links Rectortown, Marshall, Landmark and Bunker Hill.
The course tops out at 1,057 feet around mile 29.0 and drops as low as 347 feet. Expect 14 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 520 feet over 1.8 miles starting near mile 23.5. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 11.2% near mile 24.8. At roughly 93 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it intermediate.
- 4.9 miles of continuous gravel on Sullivans Mill Road and Burrland Lane.
- More unpaved stretches on Bull Run Mountain Road and Young Road.
- 71% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Paved connectors include South Madison Street, Zulla Road, Old Carters Mill Road, Rectortown Road and Rock Hill Mill Road.
- A steep pitch of about 11.2% near mile 24.8. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- At 40.6 miles, plan your water and food before you leave Middleburg.
Ride notes. Start and finish in Middleburg. These are working farm roads shared with horses, tractors and local traffic: slow down and pass wide around horses, and see VeloSafe for more. Gravel changes with the weather, so expect loose stone after a fresh grading and soft spots after heavy rain. Spring and fall are our favorite seasons out here.
Elevation and surface
Gravel sections
Unpaved stretches of half a mile or more, in riding order:
- Mile 0.7–5.6 (4.9 mi): Sullivans Mill Road, Burrland Lane
- Mile 6.1–9.7 (3.6 mi): Young Road, Old Carters Mill Road
- Mile 10.8–12.8 (2.0 mi): Crenshaw Road — near Rectortown
- Mile 14.5–18.0 (3.5 mi): Whiting Road, Prince Road — near Marshall
- Mile 20.0–23.0 (3.0 mi): Rock Hill Mill Road
- Mile 23.5–26.5 (3.0 mi): Bust Head Road
- Mile 28.0–32.4 (4.4 mi): Bull Run Mountain Road — near Landmark
- Mile 34.7–37.0 (2.3 mi): Logans Mill Road
- Mile 39.0–40.0 (1.0 mi): Sullivans Mill Road
Photos from the route
Photos taken along this route on our rides.
Get the route
Surface data comes from Ride with GPS. Road names come from OpenStreetMap. Gravel roads change with weather and maintenance, so check conditions before you ride and follow our VeloSafe guidance on rural roads.
