Unison – Mount Weather 54K is a 33.6-mile loop starting in Unison, with 3,095 feet of climbing. About 12.6 miles (38%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 21.0 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 4.4 miles on Quaker Lane and Unison Road near Unison.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop spreads its gravel evenly across the ride: 5.9 gravel miles in the first half and 6.7 in the second. Along the way it links Airmont.
The course tops out at 1,856 feet around mile 17.0 and drops as low as 396 feet. Expect 11 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 860 feet over 3.6 miles starting near mile 8.6. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 20.5% near mile 9.4. At roughly 92 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it intermediate.
- 4.4 miles of continuous gravel on Quaker Lane and Unison Road near Unison.
- More unpaved stretches on Ebenezer Church Road and Bloomfield Road.
- 38% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Passes the Virginia historical marker for the Battle of Unison.
- Paved connectors include Airmont Road, Blue Ridge Mountain Road and Millville Road.
- A steep pitch of about 20.5% near mile 9.4. 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 0.0–2.7 (2.7 mi): Bloomfield Road, Furr Road — near Unison
- Mile 3.2–6.1 (2.9 mi): Ebenezer Church Road, Yellow Schoolhouse Road — near Airmont
- Mile 25.8–28.0 (2.2 mi): Greengarden Road
- Mile 29.2–33.6 (4.4 mi): Quaker Lane, Unison Road — near Unison
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.
