Located in the Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest, this is the must-do gravel loop if you're looking for an adventure. It can be done as a day trip or turned into an overnight bikepacking trip if that's more your style.

The Two Gorges Gravel Loop is considered by many to be the most epic bikepacking and gravel loop in the region. Possible as both a day or overnight trip, this 75-mile route is no easy feat, but offers "incredible scenery, plenty of camping opportunities, and a speedy 20-mile descent," according to local athlete Logan Watts. The views are nothing short of epic, especially as you skirt the western rim of Linville Gorge and return along the Wild and Scenic Wilson Creek Gorge.

This half-gravel, half-greenway loop is a great alternative when the Kitsuma Loop is too muddy, snowy, or wet. Though Pisgah is renowned as an all-seasons destination, Kitsuma is composed heavily of clay and is one of the worst options to ride during or immediately after wet weather. Don't let the wet weather sway you though, this ride is loaded with plenty of views and is never too challenging!

Asheville-based bike shop Motion Makers considers this loop a local favorite and perfect for any "strong rider who wants a serious 70+ mile loop starting in Asheville." Much of this route is paved, including the entire stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but Curtis Creek offers a screaming fast descent down a quiet gravel road closed to traffic during the winter and early spring.

Bent Creek is home to some of the most coveted trail running, mountain biking, and gravel riding in all of the Southeast. This loop is a local favorite and links up some of the best gravel roads for an excellent loop just minutes from Asheville.

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.

This loop is a local favorite and mostly paved, but has just enough gravel to warrant some wider tires. If you're confident with your handling, a burly 700x28 may suffice, but a 700x32 is probably a better place to start. This route is nothing short of beautiful, offering views from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Elk Mountain Scenic Highway. Even better, most drivers are accustomed to bicycles riding this route - and there's even a bicycle repair station at the high point!

Hot Springs, North Carolina is an outdoorsman's paradise, offering plenty of world-class kayaking, rugged mountain biking, part of the Appalachian Trail, and of course - endless miles of gravel road! This loop is one of the best around, showcasing the beauty of the French Broad River before rewarding mountaintop views from Rich Mountain Fire Tower at nearly 3,700'! Even better, there are only a few miles of pavement—the rest is well-maintained gravel.