Road Biking in the Mt. Rainier National Park Area
Mount Rainier National Park provides challenging and scenic rides whether you are mountain biking, road biking or touring. Bicycles are allowed on the roads and cyclists will find both challenging and scenic cycling opportunities. Get more details and directions at Biking in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Always, check updated road conditions before heading out.
With 10,000 feet of climbing in 154 miles, RAMROD is the northwest's premiere one-day, ultra-marathon cycling event. The course begins in Enunclaw and rolls through Eatonville and Ashford to the Nisqually park entrance. Riders climb to Paradise and then descend Stevens Canyon to highway 410. At 100 miles into the ride comes the 9 mile climb up Cayuse Pass. After that, it's mostly a descent back to Enunclaw. RAMROD is limited to a total of 800 riders and the 2010 date is thursday, July 29th. Registration and further information here. (Note: this year's registration is closed and the lottery complete.)
Near the town of Buckley, you will find a major trailhead for the Foothills Trail, a rails-to-trail conversion and a work in progress. Many sections of the trail are complete, some stretches are gravel, others are paved, and some sections between Buckley and Carbonado not yet completed. A good place to start on the trail is from Buckley either on your way to or from the Carbon River region of Mount Rainier National Park. The trailhead is at the intersection of Highways 410 and 165 and is signed. There is also a portable restroom. This stretch of the trail is paved and runs for about a mile to Ryan Road (if you turn left). If you turn right, the paved trail continues to and beyond Buckley. The paved stretch of the trail is popular for walking, jogging, skating, and bicycling. Portions of the trail are suitable for horseback riding. Get a map here.
Another trailhead can be found in Wilkeson, across from the Fire Department. From the trailhead, two trails take off heading back toward Buckley. Take the upper road-trail. This leads to the Paintball Trestle at 2.5 miles. This part of the trail is unpaved and heads northwest toward Burnett, a small town situated between Wilkeson and Buckley. There is also trail access from McMillan, Cascade Crossing, Orting and South Prairie.
To date completed paved sections include 15 miles from Meeker to the Carbon River in Orting and the 1.8-mile section in Buckley.