+ 72
Yellow Gap -> BRP Gravel Loop
Cycling Route
Details
33.64 mi
3,919 ft
A mixed surface loop pairing all of Yellow Gap Road with a beautiful stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Yellow Gap Road (FS-1206) in the Pisgah Ranger District offers one of the best gravel riding experiences you can find around Asheville or Brevard. While many opt for an out-and-back from Mills River or 276, this loop links the well-maintained gravel road with one of the most stunning sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). If bikepacking is your thing, there are endless camping opportunities along this route. As mapped, this loop begins at the Pink Beds Picnic Area on US-276. Other popular starting points include Bent Creek Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Mills River Campground, or the Mount Pisgah Parking Area. You could also begin from any overlook on the BRP or one of the countless pull-offs on Yellow Gap Road. Yellow Gap is well-maintained and open to vehicles year-round, though it may close in the winter and spring due to freeze-thaw conditions. Contact the Pisgah Ranger District at (828) 877-3265 for the most up-to-date conditions. Even when closed, bicycles and foot traffic are still allowed. As for your gear, parts of this ride are quite steep, so wide-range gearing is recommended. 700x32 tires could suffice during the drier months, but something wider would be better during the rainy season. Weather conditions, including temperature, can change quickly at any time of the year, so consider bringing a rain jacket along even if the change of rain is a mere 5%. In Pisgah, that means you **will** get rained on at some point. If you're looking for an even longer day in the saddle, you could begin with the [Avery Creek/Headwaters Loop]( that starts at [The Hub]( then add this in the middle. Written by Brendon Voelker
Yellow Gap Road (FS-1206) in the Pisgah Ranger District offers one of the best gravel riding experiences you can find around Asheville or Brevard. While many opt for an out-and-back from Mills River or 276, this loop links the well-maintained gravel road with one of the most stunning sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). If bikepacking is your thing, there are endless camping opportunities along this route. As mapped, this loop begins at the Pink Beds Picnic Area on US-276. Other popular starting points include Bent Creek Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway, North Mills River Campground, or the Mount Pisgah Parking Area. You could also begin from any overlook on the BRP or one of the countless pull-offs on Yellow Gap Road. Yellow Gap is well-maintained and open to vehicles year-round, though it may close in the winter and spring due to freeze-thaw conditions. Contact the Pisgah Ranger District at (828) 877-3265 for the most up-to-date conditions. Even when closed, bicycles and foot traffic are still allowed. As for your gear, parts of this ride are quite steep, so wide-range gearing is recommended. 700x32 tires could suffice during the drier months, but something wider would be better during the rainy season. Weather conditions, including temperature, can change quickly at any time of the year, so consider bringing a rain jacket along even if the change of rain is a mere 5%. In Pisgah, that means you **will** get rained on at some point. If you're looking for an even longer day in the saddle, you could begin with the [Avery Creek/Headwaters Loop]( that starts at [The Hub]( then add this in the middle. Written by Brendon Voelker
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