Unison – Snake Hill and Trappe Road 32K is a 19.7-mile loop starting in Unison, with 1,279 feet of climbing. About 14.6 miles (74%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 5.1 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 7.5 miles on Millville Road, Trappe Road, Ridgeside Road, Austin Grove Road and Foggy Bottom Road near Paxson.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop saves most of its gravel for the second half: 6.4 gravel miles in the first half and 8.2 in the second. Along the way it links St. Louis and Paxson.
The course tops out at 704 feet and drops as low as 356 feet. Expect 5 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 202 feet over 3.1 miles starting near mile 10.7. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 7.4% near mile 6.2. At roughly 65 feet of climbing per mile over a short distance, we rate it beginner-friendly.
- 7.5 miles of continuous gravel on Millville Road, Trappe Road, Ridgeside Road, Austin Grove Road and Foggy Bottom Road near Paxson.
- More unpaved stretches on Pot House Road, Snake Hill Road and Newlin Mill Road.
- 74% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Rides Trappe Road, where the 9th Virginia Cavalry made a fighting retreat on the last day of the Battle of Unison in November 1862.
- Passes the Virginia historical marker for the Battle of Unison.
- Paved connectors include Unison Road, Foxcroft Road, Saint Louis Road and Millville Road.
- A steep pitch of about 7.4% near mile 6.2. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- Carry water, a spare tube and a plug kit.
Ride notes. Start and finish in Unison. 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 2.2–8.3 (6.1 mi): Pot House Road, Snake Hill Road, Newlin Mill Road, Quaker Lane, Welbourne Road — near St. Louis
- Mile 9.6–17.1 (7.5 mi): Millville Road, Trappe Road, Ridgeside Road, Austin Grove Road, Foggy Bottom Road — near Paxson
- Mile 18.7–19.7 (0.9 mi): Bloomfield Road
Photos from the route
Photos taken along this route on our rides.
Get the route
Surface data comes from Strava. 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.
