MISSOULA, Montana (March 10, 2026) — A new cross-country bikepacking route stretching more than 3,800 miles will debut in 2026 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Adventure Cycling Association.
Called the Golden Gravel Trail, the 3,804-mile mixed-surface route runs from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean and crosses eight states: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon. About 65 percent of the route follows unpaved roads, reflecting the growing interest in gravel riding and backcountry bikepacking.
Adventure Cycling officials say the route showcases a wide cross-section of American landscapes while emphasizing quieter roads and remote travel. Riders will pass through rolling Ozark hills, the open Great Plains, deserts of the interior West, and challenging alpine passes before reaching the Pacific coast.
“For five decades, Adventure Cycling has been inspiring people to travel by bicycle, and the Golden Gravel Trail represents our vision for the next 50 years,” said routes director Jeffrey Mizell. “This route honors our legacy while embracing the evolution of bicycle touring and the growing bikepacking community.”
Built on a legacy of bicycle travel
Adventure Cycling was founded in 1976 when approximately 4,000 cyclists rode across the United States during the Bikecentennial, a coast-to-coast event celebrating the country’s bicentennial. That ride helped establish the original TransAmerica Trail, which later became the backbone of what is now a 57,298-mile national network of bicycle touring routes.
Today the organization maps and maintains the Adventure Cycling Route Network, publishes Adventure Cyclist magazine, leads guided tours, and advocates for safer cycling infrastructure across the United States.
The Golden Gravel Trail represents the next step in that evolution, combining the organization’s route-development experience with the growing popularity of off-pavement touring.
Early excitement for the anniversary route
The new route is one of several initiatives marking Adventure Cycling’s 50th anniversary in 2026. Through the organization’s Drop-in Rides program, cyclists can ride portions—or the entirety—of major Adventure Cycling routes at their own pace during the anniversary year.
Those routes include the classic TransAmerica Trail, the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and the new Golden Gravel Trail.
The program has already drawn strong participation. Nearly 800 rides have been registered for 2026, with roughly one-third of those riders planning to tackle sections of the Golden Gravel Trail.
“The response to our 50th anniversary initiatives has been extraordinary,” said Routes and Advocacy Coordinator Ellie Zachary. “Nearly 800 rides have already been registered with us in 2026, and the strong early interest in the Golden Gravel Trail proves that our community is excited not only to celebrate our history, but to help build what comes next.”
Among those planning to ride the route are Canadian adventure cyclists Ali Becker and Mat Leblanc, who together have logged more than 60,000 miles of bike travel and often seek out newly launched long-distance routes. The pair plan to ride both the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and sections of the Golden Gravel Trail this summer as Drop-in Rides.
Route development and testing
Development of the Golden Gravel Trail involved extensive research and partnerships. The concept was partly inspired by an off-road route known as the Trans America Trail, a rugged 5,000-mile dirt route originally designed for motorcycles and other off-road vehicles.
Adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow helped validate portions of the new bicycle route. Swallow rode approximately 1,800 miles of the Golden Gravel Trail in 38 days during the fall of 2025, documenting her experience along the way.
“The Golden Gravel Trail represents a new chapter in American bike touring,” Swallow said. “It blends the spirit of classic cross-country routes with the growing desire for dirt, quiet roads, and immersive travel. I believe it will inspire more people to explore by bike and to see the country from a different perspective.”
Free access for riders
In recognition of its 50th anniversary, Adventure Cycling will make the Golden Gravel Trail available free to riders. The digital route will include detailed route lines, service listings, and up-to-date information about riding conditions and weather.
Cyclists can also register free Drop-in Rides along any segment of the route throughout 2026, receiving route information, planning support, and help connecting with other riders along the way.
“Just $18 builds one mile of route,” said Maxton Caplanides, Adventure Cycling’s vice president of community engagement. “And thanks to our donors, we can get this route in the hands of riders everywhere.”
More information about the Golden Gravel Trail and Adventure Cycling’s 50th-anniversary rides is available at adventurecycling.org.
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