Leesburg Gravel 77K is a 48.3-mile loop starting in Loudoun County, with 4,229 feet of climbing. About 32.3 miles (67%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 16.0 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 6.9 miles on Sands Road, Foundry Road, Hughesville Road, Forest Mills Road, Oakland Green Road, Shelburne Glebe Road near Lincoln.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop spreads its gravel evenly across the ride: 15.4 gravel miles in the first half and 16.9 in the second. Along the way it links Aldie, Gleedsville, Lincoln, Philomont, Saint Louis and Middleburg.
The course tops out at 785 feet around mile 9.3 and drops as low as 273 feet. Expect 13 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 220 feet over 1.3 miles starting near mile 5.4. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 9.0% near mile 5.7. At roughly 88 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it advanced.
- 6.9 miles of continuous gravel on Sands Road, Foundry Road, Hughesville Road and Forest Mills Road near Lincoln.
- More unpaved stretches on Canby Road and Hogback Mountain Road.
- 67% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Passes the historical marker for the Battle of Aldie.
- Paved sections on James Monroe Highway and Snickersville Turnpike, busier roads. Ride single file and stay alert.
- Paved connectors include Gleedsville Road, Loudoun Orchard Road, Winodee Way, South Hughes Street and North Fork Road.
- A steep pitch of about 9.0% near mile 5.7. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- At 48.3 miles, plan your water and food before you leave Loudoun County.
Ride notes. Start and finish in Loudoun County. 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 0.0–1.3 (1.3 mi): Tail Race Road — near Aldie
- Mile 2.6–4.0 (1.4 mi): Oatlands Mill Road — near Gleedsville
- Mile 4.6–5.4 (0.8 mi): Gap Road — near Gleedsville
- Mile 5.7–8.7 (3.0 mi): Hogback Mountain Road, Mount Gilead Road
- Mile 11.0–14.1 (3.1 mi): Canby Road, Digges Valley Road
- Mile 15.6–17.4 (1.8 mi): Piggott Bottom Road
- Mile 20.4–27.3 (6.9 mi): Sands Road, Foundry Road, Hughesville Road, Forest Mills Road, Oakland Green Road, Shelburne Glebe Road — near Lincoln
- Mile 28.5–30.4 (1.9 mi): Greggsville Road, Philomont Road — near Philomont
- Mile 30.9–33.3 (2.4 mi): Hibbs Bridge Road, Leith Lane
- Mile 34.0–36.3 (2.3 mi): Pot House Road, Snake Hill Road — near Saint Louis
- Mile 39.8–41.5 (1.7 mi): Parsons Road
- Mile 41.8–44.3 (2.5 mi): Carters Farm Lane, Charisma Lane
- Mile 46.7–48.3 (1.6 mi): Tail Race Road — near Aldie
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.
