Ride Overview
This is quite possibly the best ride among the many classic routes in the Harrisonburg and Stokesville Campground area — a bold statement, considering the wealth of exceptional riding nearby. Every foot of climbing up Braley Pond Road and Magic Moss is worth the effort, and once you’re finished, you’ll likely be planning your return before you’ve even loaded the bike.
The loop climbs gradually before delivering one of the most satisfying descents in the region down Dowells Draft. For riders looking to extend the experience, this route can be easily combined with the Lookout Loop for additional mileage and elevation.
The ride can also be reversed — Magic Moss makes for a fantastic downhill — but in this clockwise configuration, climbing Magic and descending Dowells, the flow and payoff are hard to beat.
Stonework near the top of the Dowells Draft descent. Riders looking to descend “full Dowells” should stay left where Magic Moss veers right — the final section, known as Bad Betsy, involves a brutally steep hike-a-bike.
Ride Details at a Glance
Location: Harrisonburg, VA
Length: ~11 miles (easily extended)
Ride Time: 1.5–2.5 hours, depending on pace
Ride Type: Mountain Bike
Difficulty: Level 4/Advanced
Ride Notes: Like many of the classic loops in the Harrisonburg and Stokesville area, this ride begins with a long but manageable three-mile gravel climb on Braley Pond Road. Once you reach the Magic Moss trailhead, the character of the ride changes immediately.
Magic Moss is a relatively recent addition to the local trail inventory, built as a reworked section of the historic Wild Oak Trail. Funded by a grant secured by the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, the trail now follows a sustainable alignment that rides exceptionally well in both directions. The climb toward Hankey Mountain is steady and efficient, setting riders up for a spectacular descent down Dowells Draft.
This clockwise configuration — climbing Magic Moss and descending Dowells — offers the best balance of effort and reward, though experienced riders may enjoy experimenting with alternate directions.
The version of this route documented in Mountain Biking Virginia follows a different configuration, climbing Dowells Draft and descending Magic Moss before continuing up Braley Pond Road to Hankey Mountain and descending the full length of Dowells. That variation nearly doubles both the distance and the climbing, making it a true endurance challenge.
This ride can be easily extended by linking additional Stokesville-area trails, including Lookout Mountain and other backcountry routes. Continued stewardship and trail work in the region support long-term sustainability and occasional refinements to existing trail alignments.
Route Maps
The interactive route map below shows the classic Up Magic / Down Dowells loop and allows riders to explore alternate trail combinations in the Stokesville area.
This route is documented in Mountain Biking Virginia, which includes additional regional context, access notes, and nearby riding options.