Black Rock Loops + the Switches

 J Kenneth Wickiser on June 29, 2017
Gravel Route
On Reservoir Rd, Cornwall, Orange County, New York
Gate at the entrance to Black Rock from Round Pond. Ride or hike around it. The "road" on the Southeast part of the park close to 9W is boulder-y before getting better up the hill toward the switch backs.
4 overlapping segments.
Distance
Elevation
15.84 miles
846 ft minimum
1,398 ft maximum
2,087 ft gain
2,090 ft loss
100% gravel
0 images
3 votes
Leave a Comment
 DylanG
on September 22, 2024
Incredible ride! I only did the first half before circling back to the start but spent over an hour riding stopping to enjoy the view and take pictures. Lots of great doubletrack and gravel. It feels like you're riding a hiking trail which is so lovely.
 Sebastian
on April 25, 2023
Most of it is great. Not sure if I missed a turn, (GPS seemed on track), but ended up in some very rocky areas that i think only a MTB could handle. Be prepared for mud, if its rained recently. A few heavy climbs but rewarding descents.
 Daniele Sechi
on October 3, 2020
In line with the others, really nice to ride some fun gravel! Went yesterday around noon, didn't see a single soul until 4pm. Weekend might be a little more crowded, so just be careful if you go during the week as reception is absent in some parts. Follow the trail described on gravelmap and do not adventure on the unmaintained roads with you bike. I went down HALL road and it was basically downhill mtb territory but still feasible in the first part (I have a cannondale topstone lefty), but when it turns in CONTINENTAL road, the fun is over. I ended up carrying my bike on the shoulder down to the 9W on the scatchy trail, which completely disappear in the last 400m before the road. Back on the trail after a dangerous quick ride on the 9W from old west point road, I got back on the good gravel, HULSE Road. That is a big climb: 14% avg, 800+ft elevation gain in 1.4 miles. Add loose gravel and 20% max gradient and this thing becomes brutal! Legs were gone from the hike on continental road, wrong tires, I ended up walking up half of it. I will be back for you hulse climb! Overall, if you stay on the blue segments, the ride is beautiful, just wish it was longer but you can do a couple of loop if you want to get a nice workout. Nice landscape everything the road gets close to the ponds! I'll definitely come back.
 Prodl
on May 27, 2018
Really nice place for gravel bike. You can download a map blackrockforest.org I would note that part of this loop runs on "Old West Point Road" which was pretty sketchy on gravel bike.
 Eric Palumm
on April 13, 2018
Did 10 miles there today with my gravel bike. Decent climbs and nice rollers mostly packed to semi loose gravel, very few rocky areas or muddy stuff.
 Todd Stapleton
on July 1, 2017
Are these "fire roads" ...? Dirt? Gravel? Can you ride a cross bike on them? Thanks.