Lewis - Gravel Cycling - Difficult
44.275027, -73.565574
Cycle around the region
Like Adirondack weather, this ride is constantly changing, and it has a bit of everything. This route has shady forested dirt roads, smooth gravel, quiet paved country roads, and is accompanied by views of open farmland, forests, rivers, and rugged mountains.
How to get there
This ride begins across the road from the Elizabethtown - Lewis Emergency Squad facility which is located 2.5 miles north of Elizabethtown on New York State Route 9. Parking is best 200 feet off the state highway on Steel Woods Road, where the electric utility right of way crosses Steel Woods Road. (Coordinates: 44.246619, -73.566599)
By the numbers
- Level of difficulty: Difficult
- Route length: 23.6 miles (38 kilometers)
- Elevation gain/loss: 1,807 feet (551 meters)
- Smooth country roads, gravel, dirt
A route always changing
This is a good long loop that is fun to ride because everything is continually changing. The ride bounces between unpaved and paved surfaces, climbs and descents, and forests and fields. After starting out easily with a gentle drop on a good gravel road that snuggles up to the Boquet River for a stretch, pavement then sweeps you beneath the Adirondack Northway. As you pass under the Northway, you leave the sounds of cars and trucks behind and begin your trek across the countryside.
The ride to the start of Hurley Road gets you warmed up for the climb up Hurley Road, a rather rugged dirt road that passes through a dense hemlock and hardwood forest. From here you connect with Hyde Road, and after a few hundred feet of climbing you begin a descent that propels you to the bottom of Mason Road and over Spruce Mill Brook. At this point the landscape begins to transition to open agriculture featuring views of the distant mountains from the small historic community of Reber.
Crossing the Boquet River in Reber is the mid-point of the ride and it also marks the lowest elevation of the ride. Just like the first half, from here the ride continues to switch between climbs, descents, pavement and gravel. At about the 20.5 mile mark, you’ll again cross the Adirondack Northway. This time the experience is different as Hyde Road passes above the highway, giving you a great view along the interstate. But the ride isn’t over yet, a short time later you are again treated to a stretch of good gravel which blissfully encourages you back to where you started.
Due to limited cellular coverage, please be sure to download this route and save for offline use before you leave home.
