The nearly 3,700-mile Golden Gravel Trail is the Adventure Cycling Association’s (ACA) newest route. Opening in early 2026, professional adventure cyclist Sarah Swallow is currently pioneering the Pacific-to-Mississippi route.
This epic ride celebrates her tenth anniversary of being the first to complete the Trans-America Trail (TAT). It will also serve to scout, validate, and establish the Golden Gravel Trail ahead of its opening.
Sarah Swallow’s 5000 Mile TAT Adventure
Before the Golden Gravel Trail, Swallow tackled the 5,000-mile TAT with Tom Swallow in 2015. They had discovered the TAT, a motorcycle and OHV route, the previous year, and wondered how a bicycle would fare on the route. She found that it could, completing the massive challenge with Tom in just 87 days, becoming the first cyclists to do so.
It was also only Sarah’s fifth time bike touring.
In the months and years that followed, Sarah took opportunities to share route adjustments and recommendations for other cyclists. To her surprise, the adventure cycling community sought her advice, and adventure races followed.
While Sarah had found her passion in long-distance adventure cycling, she also found that racing wasn’t a part of that equation. She enjoyed route creation, navigation, and immersing herself in a place, rather than pushing through as fast as possible.
A Golden Gravel Trail for a Golden Anniversary
Sarah’s TAT feedback was instrumental in the ACA’s creation of the Golden Gravel Trail. When the ACA reached out, asking Sarah if she would scout and promote the new trail celebrating their 50th anniversary, she knew she had to be involved.
Her wheels on pavement mark the first official ride of the Golden Gravel Trail.
Founded in 1975, the ACA promotes cycling and touring across the U.S. They currently have over 23,000 members nationwide and have established over 52,000 miles of routes.
The Golden Gravel Trail
On August 27, Sarah left Port Orford, Oregon, to embark on the 3,688-mile adventure. Along the way, she will climb over 234,000 feet, riding through eight states on her way to the Mississippi. At the Golden Gravel Trail’s highest point, Sarah will climb to an elevation of 12,034 feet as she crosses the Cumberland Pass in Colorado.
“This is a daunting endeavor, but I’m undertaking it to tune in, meet myself where I am, find my rhythm, and learn through the bicycle and America’s Western landscape,” Sarah said of the ride.
You can track Sarah’s journey at the ACA’s Golden Gravel Trail page.
Golden Gravel Trail Details
- 3,688 miles
- 70% unpaved
- 234,032 feet of climbing
- 12,034 feet above sea level (max elevation)
- Eight states (Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri)
