Starting from the Lake Wedington Recreation Area just west of Fayetteville – our ‘Rivers & Woods’ gravel route takes riders into the Wedington Wildlife Management Area of the Ozark National Forest for a 35-mile adventure on mostly gravel roads. Surrounding Lake Wedington, this clockwise loop weaves through beautiful hardwood timber forests as it dips down into the Illinois River Valley and across bridges from the last millennium.
Rolling from the lake, the ride begins with a short (but steep) 1.3-mile pavement climb up through a small gap in Weddington Mountain. With minimal shoulders, riders should take caution along this short section of shared roadway. The route is highlighted by several long stretches of gravel beginning with Lookout Tower Road and a swift 7-mile descent through the Ozark National Forest.
The route crosses the Illinois River around mile 8 with an adventurous segment that utilizes an abandoned concrete bridge still open to pedestrians. Constructed in 1922, this 100 year-old structure, known as the ‘Midway Bridge’, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recent flooding has damaged the north end of the bridge. While passable, cyclists can expect to shoulder their bike cyclo-cross style to walk down what remains of the bridge’s abutment.
A quick dart across State Highway 412 (with good visibility of potential oncoming traffic) and onto Old Highway 68 leads to a couple miles of scenic pavement followed by a gravel descent down Osage Hill Road. At the bottom is the Logan Springs Preserve where the spring runs clear and cold alongside the road. A fish hatchery once operated in the area, and the spring kept the fish-hatchery ponds full while serving as a water source for the local community. The route passes the Logan Community Building at mile 12 – with a potable water spicket that flows cold during warm summer months.
A few more miles of mixed-surface riding leads gravel cyclists back into the Ozark National Forest. This longer section of gravel features canopy covered roads descending into the Illinois River Valley. Mile-22 is a popular rest stop on the route - where the historic Illinois River Bridge at Phillips Ford provides scenic views of the Illinois River.
A final section of scenic pavement along the forest boundary leads to the route’s last climb – a punchy pedal up to a ridgeline of gravel roads. A couple more miles of fast rolling blacktop guides cyclists back to the parking lot.
Consistent, gravel roads make up a majority (64%) of our ‘Rivers & Woods’ route. With limited services, we rate this route Moderate in difficulty. Cyclists should plan to self-support, carrying the hydration and nutrition necessary to complete the experience.
Where to Park
Although much of the Lake Wedington Recreation Area and access to facilities (i.e. restrooms, camping) remains closed during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, paved public parking is still available at a popular mountain bike trailhead on the northside of the highway right past the campground. An outdoor destination when open, Lake Wedington is also known for its quality mountain bike trails, flat water kayaking, fishing, swimming, and camping.
