2
riders
Big Flat Fire Tower – Whispering Pine Nature Trail loop from Waynesboro
04:26
91.6km
1,030m
Road cycling
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: April 5, 2026
Tips
The surface for a segment of your route may not be suitable
Some segments of your route comprise a surface that may not be suitable for your chosen sport.
After 49.8 km for 847 m
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
50.2 km
Big Flat Fire Tower
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
65.5 km
Whispering Pine Nature Trail
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
91.6 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
61.8 km
20.1 km
9.77 km
< 100 m
Surfaces
81.8 km
8.29 km
813 m
749 m
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Elevation
Highest point (630 m)
Lowest point (210 m)
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Weather
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Today
Saturday 27 June
23°C
18°C
88 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Description
If you're eyeing the Big Flat Fire Tower – Whispering Pine Nature Trail loop from Waynesboro as your next road cycling adventure, be warned: this 56.9-mile (91.6 km) route, with its difficult rating and 3395 feet (1035 metres) of elevation gain over an estimated 4 hours and 26 minutes, is likely a misnomer for traditional road bikes. This specific combination of trails is highly unlikely to be suitable for road cycling, making it a route better suited for those with a mountain or gravel bike.
What to expect on Big Flat Fire Tower – Whispering Pine Nature Trail loop from Waynesboro
Routes leading to fire towers, such as Big Flat, frequently involve significant unpaved sections and substantial climbs. For example, some fire tower routes in Pennsylvania are known to be up to 28% unpaved, with steep ascents that challenge even mountain bikers. The Whispering Pine Nature Trail components also point to either mountain biking singletrack with elevation changes or very short, paved walking paths, neither of which aligns with a long road cycling loop. You should expect rocky, unpaved surfaces and demanding climbs, making this route a true test for a gravel or mountain bike, not a road bike.
Planning your visit
Given the likely unpaved and challenging terrain, planning for this route requires a suitable bike, such as a mountain or gravel bike, rather than a road bike. While Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, offers various cycling routes, this particular combination of trails in Michaux State Forest does not align with a typical road cycling experience. Be prepared for varied conditions and ensure your equipment is appropriate for potentially rough surfaces and significant elevation changes. Parking in Waynesboro or near Michaux State Forest would be your starting point, but verify access points for the specific trailheads if you plan to tackle sections by mountain or gravel bike.
Trail details
- Distance: 56.9 miles (91.6 km)
- Elevation gain: 3395 feet (1035 metres)
- Difficulty: difficult
- Estimated time: 4 hours and 26 minutes
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