The routes for Doom 2026—one of the most fearsome and hotly contested bikepacking races in the country—are now live via the Ozark Gravel Cyclists. Dive in below for more on all the new changes…

Gaining significant traction in recent years, Doom has become a highly contested event, particularly among single-speeders. Put together by Andrew Onermaa with help from the Ozark Gravel Cyclists, the 2026 iterations of the Doom routes take the race away from the terror-filled hills of Northwest Arkansas and toward the center of the state. Featuring new terrain and a new host city in Hot Springs, there are three fresh Doom routes for potential participants to sink their gears into.

LOViT or Leave iT

This route traces a compact figure-eight through the Ouachitas, weaving the Northwoods Trails, the IMBA Epic Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, and a mix of tarmac, dirt, and rolling backroads into a seamless ride. With 45 miles of singletrack and over half the route being unpaved, the shortest of the three routes might not seem like much, but it’s sure to pack a punch. Overall, this route features 116 miles and nearly 10,000 feet of elevation gain.

Check out more on the LOViT or Leave iT route here.

The High Watch

The middle distance of the three available routes for 2026 follows a similar shape to the LOViT or Leave iT distance, weaving through the Northwoods trails and the IMBA Epic Lake Ouachita Vista trail with a mix of tarmac, dirt, and rolling backroads, creating a seamless ride. Every section shifts tempo, from punchy singletrack to fast, flowing roads, looping through the hills before returning to Hot Springs. The High Watch route spans 205 miles with 16,000 feet of elevation gain.

Check out more on the High Watch route here.

Ouachita Doom

Per Andrew, this is a full-scale Ouachita epic. With over 100 miles of singletrack linked through the Northwoods, IMBA Epic Lake Ouachita Vista, IMBA Epic Womble trails, and long runs of the Ouachita trail, Doom stitches together tarmac, gravel, doubletrack, and rugged forest roads. The route grinds to Tall Peak’s old lookout tower and carves through the Flatside Wilderness before closing the loop around Lake Ouachita—a demanding multi-day push stacked with bonus miles and hidden gems. The Ouachita Doom route is 328 miles with a brutal gain of just over 32,000 feet.

Check out more on the Ouachita Doom route here.

Doom 2026 will depart on March 13th, changing from what has typically been an early April start. Registration for the event opens on November 16th, and all three routes, along with information on the event, can be found at OzarkGravelCyclists.com.

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