Unison – Piedmont Horseshoe 72K is a 45.1-mile loop starting in Unison, with 3,670 feet of climbing. About 23.6 miles (52%) are on gravel or dirt roads and 21.5 miles are paved. The longest unpaved stretch runs 6.4 miles on Snake Hill Road, Newlin Mill Road and Unison Road near Saint Louis and Unison.
Route snapshot
What to expect
This loop saves most of its gravel for the second half: 9.6 gravel miles in the first half and 13.9 in the second. Along the way it links Delaplane, Marshall, Saint Louis, Upperville, Rectortown and Bunker Hill.
The course tops out at 704 feet around mile 5.8 and drops as low as 331 feet. Expect 13 climbs of 80 feet or more; the biggest gains 261 feet over 2.7 miles starting near mile 22.3. The steepest quarter-mile averages about 9.5% near mile 19.0. At roughly 81 feet of climbing per mile, we rate it advanced.
- 6.4 miles of continuous gravel on Snake Hill Road, Newlin Mill Road and Unison Road near Saint Louis and Unison.
- More unpaved stretches on Trappe Road and Burrland Lane.
- 52% of the distance is on gravel or dirt.
- Paved connectors include Bloomfield Road, Delaplane Grade Road, Maidstone Road, Whiting Road and Frogtown Road.
- A steep pitch of about 9.5% near mile 19.0. Choose gears that let you stay seated on loose gravel.
- At 45.1 miles, plan your water and food before you leave Unison.
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 0.0–1.8 (1.8 mi): Unison Road, Bloomfield Road — near Unison
- Mile 4.1–8.6 (4.5 mi): Trappe Road
- Mile 14.9–18.3 (3.4 mi): Rokeby Road — near Delaplane
- Mile 24.8–25.4 (0.6 mi): Whiting Road — near Marshall
- Mile 26.7–28.3 (1.6 mi): Prince Road — near Marshall
- Mile 29.1–31.0 (1.9 mi): Young Road
- Mile 31.6–35.1 (3.5 mi): Burrland Lane, Burrland House lane
- Mile 38.7–45.1 (6.4 mi): Snake Hill Road, Newlin Mill Road, Unison Road — near Saint Louis and 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.
