The 2026 Gravelstoke Collection: San Diego’s Best Gravel Routes

If you're looking to discover great gravel routes in Southern California, you've come to the right place. For 2026 we put together a full calendar of Gravelstoke rides, carefully planned and curated to explore some of our favorite regions across San Diego and Orange County. These have been hugely successful group rides, drawing on the expert route planners in our community while receiving generous support from our Allies. For our community and visitors to the region alike, we've pulled the full collection together for easy reference, organized here by month. Every route is chosen with the season in mind, matched to the conditions, temperatures, and daylight we expect that time of year, so the month attached to each ride is a helpful guide to when it rides best. East County can climb past 100 degrees in summer, so a course we ride in February isn't one we'd send you on in July or August. Always check the forecast, prepare for the conditions, and know that trail and road access can change, so plan ahead and look for closures before you roll out. Our full schedule of upcoming rides lives on the events page, and you can explore the entire route library by joining our Gravelstoke RideWithGPS community. We'll keep updating this list as the year unfolds.

ROUTES ARE PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR 2026 ALLY PARTNERS

January - rancho rendezvous

RANCHO SAN DIEGO GRAVEL ROUTE

This East County loop out of Rancho San Diego revives the 2021 Great Western Reroute course, a 55-mile route with 5,000+ feet of climbing that earns its place in GWR lore. Rolling from Rancho San Diego, it heads east through some of the county's best gravel, hitting Echo Valley, Honey Springs, and Mother Grundy. The terrain is demanding and rewards solid bike handling, mechanical self-sufficiency, and proper planning. There's a single resupply at mile 40 at the Pio Pico Country Store in Jamul, so pack accordingly and know your limits. A shorter option is available for those wanting a less ambitious day out. You can find more details here including multiple route options from Rancho San Diego, CA.

February - Pie in the Sky

RAMONA CA GRAVEL ROUTE

This Ramona loop is a 70-mile route with 7,000+ feet of climbing that heads east out of downtown into the Cleveland National Forest and some of the best backcountry gravel in the region. Just 5 miles in, the gravel begins on Black Canyon Road, a notorious 11-mile segment that climbs 2,000 feet on premium surface. After a regroup at Mesa Grande, an 8-mile push reaches the Santa Ysabel Preserve, with doubletrack through oak woodlands, native grasslands, and wildflower fields. The centerpiece refuel comes at mile 39 at Julian Pie Company, hot coffee and a slice of Mountain Berry Pie well earned before the climb home. Expect out-of-reach KOMs and demanding terrain. A 55-mile option keeps the pie but skips the Preserve lollipop, and a 24-mile version trims it further. You can find more details here including shorter and longer route options for Pie in the Sky out of Ramona, CA.

March - GWR Advance Mission 1

ALPINE CA GRAVEL ROUTE

This 45-mile standalone loop out of Alpine explores the southern sectors of the Great Western Reroute course, making it a strong scouting run for anyone eyeing the GWR event or just after a solid East County day. Starting and finishing at Mike Hess Brewing, the route delivers the full terrain cocktail: premium gravel, rhythmic pavement connectors, and technical singletrack that demands your full attention. The defining feature is Viejas Grade, a marquee climb that anchors this year's GWR course. It's a self-supported adventure with two key water stops marked along the way, so pack accordingly. Discover more about the Great Western Reroute here.

April - GWR Advance Mission 2

PINE VALLEY CA GRAVEL ROUTE

This 40-mile loop explores the northern sectors of the Great Western Reroute course, a scouting run into the challenging climbs and rewarding descents that give GWR its reputation for uncompromising route design. It works as a standalone East County adventure or as recon for the main event, offering a real read on equipment choices, pacing, and the technical sections worth knowing before you commit to the full course. Expect the demanding terrain and route craft that define GWR's most ambitious edition yet. You can find more details on the Great Western Reroute here.

May - 2026 great western reroute

CUYAMACA GRAVEL ROUTE

The Great Western Reroute is Southern California's favorite gravel gathering, a backcountry epic deep in the mountains of East County San Diego. Starting from Alpine at 1,800 feet, the Long Course opens with Viejas Grade before smooth pavement gives way to 13 miles of premium Cleveland National Forest gravel, climbing to a 4,800-foot high point, then dropping to the shores of Lake Cuyamaca. From there it pushes into the rough desert roads of Anza-Borrego before returning through the pine and oak woodlands of Cuyamaca. At 75 miles with 8,000 feet of climbing and roughly 50% dirt, it moves through chaparral foothills, conifer forests, high meadows, and open desert, some of San Diego's finest backcountry riding. Aid stations sit at mile 25 and mile 50. Short and long course options available. You can find more details on the Great Western Reroute here.

June - shady lines and good times

IRVINE CA GRAVEL ROUTE

This favorite Orange County gravel loop rolls out of Turtle Rock Community Park in Irvine and heads straight for the dirt. After a short warm-up, the climbing begins up Bommer Canyon and across the ridge before dropping into Serrano, then crosses to the Quail Hill trail and connects via Serrano Creek Trail toward Whiting Ranch. The centerpiece is the picturesque climb to Reynolds Bench, followed by a technical singletrack descent that demands your focus before reconnecting and heading back toward the streets. A run over Shady Canyon Trail closes the loop. Expect loose gravel, rocks, flowing trail, and classic SoCal terrain, mostly approachable and social with a few technical sections that earn your attention. Water and restroom stops are available along the way. Find the original event details here.

July - where does that go?

CARDIFF CA GRAVEL ROUTE

Where Does That Go is a curiosity-driven loop out of Cardiff by the Sea, with four options ranging from 32 to 55 miles and 1,700 to 4,000 feet of climbing. The route heads inland from the coast through the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Preserve, then hits fun dirt in San Dieguito County Park before linking Gonzales Canyon and pushing east toward Poway and Beeler Canyon. The longer options loop back through Los Peñasquitos Canyon, one of the area's classic dirt corridors, before a straight shot back up the coast. A water fountain sits at PQ Creek Park around mile 16, with another at Bette Bendixen Park near mile 24 on the longer route. Prime coastal-to-canyon variety, self-supported. Find all the routes variations here.

august - 3 lost tunnels

VISTA CA GRAVEL ROUTE

Three Lost Tunnels is a 40-mile loop with 4,000 feet of climbing that stitches together the best hidden dirt across Vista, Carlsbad, and Encinitas. Starting in Vista, the route rolls through Buena Vista Park and up around Lake Calavera, one of North County's true gems, before threading The Crossings and the sandy cut-throughs of Aviara. From there it links Encinitas Ranch and La Costa with a big finish at Simmons Park. Expect punchy climbs, technical singletrack, and a mix of surfaces that reward wider tires. Two water stops sit around mile 30, but come prepared to be self-supported. Find more information here.

what’s coming next

Thanks to our Allies for supporting Gravelstoke's mission to create memorable rides and inspiring content in 2026. You can find the entire ride schedule here.