Bozeman has no shortage of good after-work rides, but the Sourdough to Leverich Loop continues to be one of those local favorites riders come back to again and again.
Close to town, consistently rideable through much of the season, and packed with a little bit of everything, this route combines a calm forest climb with one of the more fun descents near Bozeman.
The route climbs through Sourdough before eventually dropping riders into Leverich, better known around town as “Levy.”
Whether you’re looking for a big fitness ride, a classic Bozeman trail experience, or just an excuse for one more lap after work, this route delivers.
Route Overview
This ride starts from Nash Park before gradually climbing through the Sourdough area and eventually connecting riders to the Leverich descent. The route combines long forest road climbing with fast, flowy singletrack on the way back down.
The climb itself is steady the entire way. It’s never brutally steep, but it also never really lets up. Once you reach the top and drop into Leverich, the ride changes personality quickly with berms, rollers, optional small jumps, and one of the more fun descents close to town.
Here are the highlights:
- Ride With GPS Route
- Route Length: Approximately 18 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best Bike: Trail bike or XC-focused trail bike
- Best Season: Late spring through fall
- Who picked it: Luuk
Why he loves it:
“This route has a little bit of everything. The climb feels peaceful and steady, and then the descent is just pure fun. It’s one of the best close-to-town rides when you want a good workout and a great downhill.”
The Journey: Mile-by-Mile Breakdown
Mile 0-2: Rolling Out from Nash
The ride starts at the parking lot at Nash Park. From there, head east on Nash Road for about a mile before turning left toward Sourdough Road and the Sourdough parking lot.
This lower section is a mellow warmup before the climbing begins. Expect lots of walkers, runners, and dogs, especially in the evenings and on weekends.
Mile 2-8: The Long Sourdough Climb
Once the climbing begins around mile 2, it stays consistent for most of the ride.
This isn’t a punchy technical climb. Instead, it’s a steady aerobic grinder that lets riders settle into a rhythm while climbing through calm forest surroundings. It’s one of the reasons so many riders like this route during warmer months, since much of the climb stays shaded and relatively cool.
Around mile 6.8, you’ll cross a bridge before reaching an intersection around mile 6.9:
- Left heads toward Mystic
- Right heads toward Moser
For this route, continue right toward Moser.
At mile 8, stay on the forest road. There’s a singletrack option off to the left, but that leads to a different route.
Mile 8-14: Grinding Toward Leverich
From here, the climbing continues steadily all the way toward Leverich.
At mile 11:
- Pass through the gate
- Continue right on the dirt road
Stay on the main road until roughly mile 13.7, where you’ll stay right and look for the singletrack entrance about 200 meters ahead.
That’s where you officially connect to Leverich.
At mile 14, stay right at the intersection and continue to the top before starting the descent.
This entire section feels very “Bozeman”:
- Long steady climbing
- Big forest views
- Quiet roads
- Plenty of time to settle into the ride
Mile 14-18: Dropping Into “Levy”
Once you point the bike downhill, the mood changes fast.
The Leverich descent is fast, flowy, and playful without feeling overly intimidating. Berms, rollers, and optional small jumps make this section fun on just about any modern trail bike.
Trail bikes and lighter XC/trail setups feel especially good here since the route rewards carrying speed and staying playful through corners.
One thing first-timers should know: the downhill can get dry and dusty later in the summer, especially during hot stretches. Some corners can feel looser than expected, so it’s worth staying controlled until you get familiar with the trail.
Because this is one of Bozeman’s more popular descents, expect to see:
- Hikers
- Trail runners
- Uphill traffic
- Riders stopped along the trail
Around mile 16, you’ll reach the Leverich parking lot before continuing the final stretch back toward Nash Park.
By mile 18, you’re back at the parking lot.
Why Riders Keep Coming Back
This route has become a staple for a reason.
It’s close to town, climbs efficiently, and delivers a genuinely fun descent without needing a full-day commitment. It also rides well across a wide range of bikes and rider styles, which makes it one of those “safe bet” recommendations when someone asks where to ride around Bozeman.
Practical Tips for the Ride
Equipment
This route is ideal for:
- Trail bikes
- XC-focused trail bikes
A few quick recommendations from the shop:
- Run tires with predictable cornering traction for dusty conditions
- Make sure your brakes are feeling solid before dropping into Levy
- Bring more water than you think you need during mid-summer rides
This climb is longer than many riders expect.
Visit Owenhouse Cycling
Before heading out, stop by Owenhouse Cycling for updated trail conditions, tire recommendations, or help getting your bike dialed.
We’re always happy to help riders find the right setup for Bozeman trails.
Let us know which trail you want us to review next.
Happy riding!
