How Gravelland Works: FAQs

Who Decides What Goes on the Gravelland Map?

Gravelland staff have the final call, but the goal is for as complete and inclusive a site as possible. That said, we're careful not to include any sections or routes that cross school or private property, or trails in parks that aren't designated for bicycles, no matter how awesome they are to ride. Of course if you're walking or running you can use park trails, but we want to save confusion! We want to be sure that when you see a section or route on Gravelland, you can actually use it no matter how you're getting around. We want to highlight how many places you can go on gravel where its perfectly okay to do so!

What’s the Difference Between a Section and a Route?

A section of gravel is almost all gravel. Sometimes there might be a length of pavement in between sections and we'll make it one longer section to give an accurate flavor of what's out there. A route is a way to get around a park or a neighborhood, or around Portland from one place to another, that includes pavement and all the gravel that can be fit in while still following a recognizable route.

Is this all the gravel in Portland?

We think we're close! But we are always ready to update the site. And the 'we' here includes you! There might be some sections of gravel you know of that are not posted on the site. For example, a section that appears on, say, Google Maps might be unusable on the ground; it might be blocked by fences or vegetation. Or the section doesn't lead anywhere or link up with other sections; for example, a dead end street. If you see some gravel you'd like to include, let us know at https://www.gravellandpdx.com/supportoursite and we'll check it out! Remember that it doesn't have to be an actual road, just a place where it's okay (and fun!) to be on gravel.

Why did you include a gravel section that is impassable?

With few exceptions, every mapped section has actually been used prior to posting it. The sections and routes on this site were useable when they were mapped. And for sure some are easier than others, but they were all accessible at the time. Unlike pavement, though, gravel roads need to be maintained regularly, including getting mowed! Over time the conditions of a section may change. The good news is that there's almost always another section nearby that you can substitute for one that feels unusable. If you find a section of gravel that appears to be permanently blocked (or, heaven forbid, paved over), please let us know!

Can I propose a new route, or a change in one of your routes?

Absolutely! You can send general or specific proposals. However, we won't create a new route for a minor change, that could get confusing. Consider Gravelland routes to be suggestions, starting points. From there you can alter your own route to suit your preferences, and you can use https://www.RideWithGPS.com - which is awesome! - to build your very own routes. If you have a suggestion for a route that would, say, eliminate a complicated section or avoid a long traffic light, or add more gravel(!), please do send it along. Gravelland routes should be as useful to as many people as possible.

Happy graveling!