Magnolia Loop
A pleasant leisurely ride with great views of Seattle, the water and the mountains.
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Course:
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Skills:
Easy AccessPavedRoad Bike OKYear-Round -
Location:
Seattle downtown
Our Favorite Routes
Rene Herse Cycles was born out of our passion for exploring the forgotten mountain passes of the Cascade Mountains and beyond. Here we are sharing some of our favorite routes. We'll add more routes in the future – stay tuned!
Explore the passes that lent their names to our Rene Herse tires and ride the routes that you've read about in Bicycle Quarterly! For each route, there are descriptions, stats and links to maps and GPS files – everything you need to plan your own adventure. Enjoy!
A word of caution: Conditions in the mountains change frequently. We cannot guarantee that these routes are rideable at any given time – please inquire about local conditions before setting out and consider the possibility of washouts and other obstacles that may or may not be insurmountable. Many of these routes take you into remote country. Be prepared and use these routes at your own risk. Rene Herse Cycles, its owners, employees and contributors do not accept liability nor legal responsibility for any contents of these pages.
Our Favorite Routes
North End of Lake Washington
One of the best rides in Seattle, with challenging climbs and technical descents, great views, and a café stop.
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Course:
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Skills:
Easy AccessPavedRoad Bike OKYear-Round -
Location:
University of Washington Light Rail Station
Mercer Island Loop
A perennial favorite with no stop signs or traffic lights, little traffic and many twists and turns as the road winds through the ravines on the side of this island in the middle of Lake Washington.
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Course:
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Skills:
Easy AccessPavedRoad Bike OKYear-Round -
Location:
Leschi (on Lake Washington)
Corral Pass
Combine gravel and singletrack with amazing views of Mount Rainier. Featured in the Winter 2021 Bicycle Quarterly. Read more
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Course:
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Skills:
>10% GravelLimited ServicesSingletrackSummer OnlyTechnical -
Location:
Greenwater, WA
Volcano High Pass Super Randonnee
Explore the famous passes of the Cascade Mountains – Babyshoe, Elk, Naches, Cayuse and Chinook Passes – in one of the most challenging rides anywhere. Wonderful roads with beautiful views of three large volcanoes. Figure-8 loop – you can ride just one of the two halves. Even cut in half, it’ll be an adventure you’ll never forget! Read more
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Course:
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Skills:
>10% GravelCampingHotels availableLimited ServicesSummer Only -
Location:
Packwood, WA
Tahuya-Hood Canal
This amazing loop starts just a ferry hop from Seattle, yet it takes you into truly remote places. Gorgeous views and some of the most technically challenging gravel anywhere. Read more
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Course:
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Skills:
>10% GravelCampingEasy AccessTechnicalYear-Round -
Location:
Bremerton (ferry from downtown Seattle)
Mountain 100 km – Issaquah Alps
All-paved and very challenging ride in the Cascade foothills. Figure-8 loop – you can ride one half first, then come back for the second part. Read more
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Course:
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Skills:
Easy AccessPavedRoad Bike OKYear-Round -
Location:
Issaquah, WA (25 miles east of Seattle)
