The Hateful Eighty

What It’s All About:

The Hateful Eighty route is a exploration of the gravel riding accessible from the city of Bellingham (with the notable exception of Galbraith and Lookout Mt.). From the classic Burn-out on Chuckanut and the tangled roads around Lake Samish and Blanchard Mt. to Alger, Stewart Mt., and Boulevard Park. The route makes an 80 mile loop from downtown Bellingham and is a challenging test of endurance. But the main purpose of this route isn't for it to be ridden in it's entirety but rather for others to take inspiration for their own rides from it.

I hope that seeing the route and reading the description of the roads and areas inspires others to ride in these places and discover the roads and trails that the route does not take. Use this route as a reference and create your own, the possibilities are endless!

The Basics

80 Miles. 10,000 feet of climbing. 72% Gravel. A few mountains. One hike-a-bike. Besides these facts here is some useful info for riding this route.

Tires: Most of the riding is on well packed gravel with two short sections of single track. I would recommend a tire with tread due to the steepness of some of the climbs and descents with a width of at least 40mm.

Water/Resupply: There are long gaps where there are no services and the likelihood of someone else coming by is low, resupply points are limited once you leave Bellingham till reaching Alger, a few streams cross the route though the reliability of them in mid-summer is not assured.

Starting downtown you'll climb up to Lake Whatcom through Whatcom Falls park before following North Shore Road's rolling hills around the north end of the lake. Taking a left onto Y Road at the fork a gradual climb brings you to the first big helping of gravel. The right off of Y road is marked by a yellow gate and a small shack from here the road meanders around and up the side of the mountain providing great views north and west as you round the limb of the hill as you climb. After an altogether lovely climb with a few steep sections you will reach the top of what is called Bigfoot (I want to believe) Hill, the north end of what is usually lumped together under the moniker Stewart Mt.

The next few miles are some of the best on the route as it traverses through the string of small peaks from Bigfoot Hill to Stewart Mt. South. You will weave from one side of the ridge to the other at one moment appreciating a view of Lake Whatcom and Bellingham the next gazing on the slopes of Kulshan and The Sisters. At the end of the traverse the route plunges down the Wickersham Truck Trail and some prime singletrack before turning south onto Highway 9. Unfortunately Highway 9's shoulder disappears all to soon but only a few miles of pavement separate you from the next gravel section.

Turning off Highway 9 at another gate the route switchbacks very steeply up Anderson Mountain. This climb can be a slog but the glimpses of Mt. Baker as you climb are a foreshadowing of the expansive view from the top. On a clear day you can see from Baker down to Glacier Peak and Rainer as well. Near the top there is a slight detour around a road blockage then take the left at the four way junction heading down. The descent of this hill is one of highlights of the route, fast and swooping on good gravel but over far too soon.

Heading out of the woods and across the valley through Alger is a good reprieve before climbing back up onto Blanchard Mt.. The route here follows the gently graded road around the flank of the mountain to reach the network of roads above Lake Samish. There is the option here to take Lily Lake Trail over the top of Blanchard to connect back in with the route on the other side via British Army Trail. The route winds through the old roads and up through the folded valleys and connects with the Chuckanut trail system along the shore of Lost Lake.

This is our Hike-a-Bike section, on a gravel bike expect to push for about a mile over the technical trail before reaching the end of the lake. Cutting back along the other side of the lake on the Lost Lake Trail the route continues to climb through the woods and a left at the next junction takes us up to the final high point at Burn-out.

Enjoy the view of the Islands and Skagit Valley before bombing down to take the Interurban Trail back to town. Complete the experience by riding the South Bay Trail from Fairhaven to Downtown. Grab a beverage and let your legs fall off, they deserve a rest.