Sloan Gorge Preserve Trailhead – Blue Mountain Reservoir loop from Overlook Mountain Wild Forest

If you're looking for a road cycling loop that connects Sloan Gorge Preserve and Blue Mountain Reservoir, the idea of the Sloan Gorge Preserve Trailhead – Blue Mountain Reservoir loop from Overlook Mountain Wild Forest might catch your eye. However, this specific 23.1-mile (37.2 km) route, with its 1409 feet (430 metres) of elevation gain and a moderate difficulty, isn't quite what it seems for road cyclists, despite its estimated 1 hour and 48 minutes duration. It's important to understand that while the name suggests a unified road cycling experience, the individual locations are better suited for different activities.

What to expect on Sloan Gorge Preserve Trailhead – Blue Mountain Reservoir loop from Overlook Mountain Wild Forest

What to expect on this route is a bit of a puzzle for road cyclists. Sloan Gorge Preserve itself is a beautiful hiking area, known for its unique geological features like "The Chimney" and moss-covered canyon walls, but it's not suitable for bikes. The various "Blue Mountain" locations mentioned in the region are either geared towards challenging mountain biking, like Blue Mountain Reservation in Westchester, or are entirely separate road cycling routes in different areas, such as Blue Mountain Road near Saranac Lake. This means a unified road cycling experience combining these specific points as described is unlikely to offer a smooth, continuous ride for road bikes, making it better suited for those who enjoy piecing together local paved roads rather than a designated loop.

Planning your visit

Planning your visit for a road cycling loop here requires a different approach. Since a cohesive Sloan Gorge Preserve Blue Mountain Reservoir loop cycling route doesn't appear to exist, you'll need to consider the individual areas. Sloan Gorge Preserve offers parking for hikers, but road cyclists aiming to connect these points would need to research local road networks near Woodstock, NY, or Saugerties, NY, to create their own route. Public transport options directly to a combined cycling trailhead are not readily available for this non-existent loop, so driving and parking at a suitable starting point for a self-planned road ride would be necessary.

Trail details

• Distance: 23.1 miles (37.2 km)
• Elevation gain: 1409 feet (430 metres)
• Difficulty: moderate
• Estimated time: 1 hours and 48 minutes