Recently, Civil War Cycling announced the availability of PDF maps for biking the Gettysburg battlefield. Today, this blog post asks the question …
What’s the big deal?
You might be wondering: Why not just use the official park map for a historical bike ride through Gettysburg? Or rely on a route someone posted to Strava or Map My Ride?
The truth is, neither option is designed with bicyclists—or history buffs—in mind. And if you try to rely on them, you’re likely to end up frustrated or disappointed.
If you want a safe, circular, and educational bicycle ride through the Gettysburg battlefield…
you need either a licensed battlefield guide *OR* maps that are tailored specifically to the needs of a bicycling historian.
The official park map, as well as GPS routes that you can find online, lack the details that you need for historical touring.
- They may not avoid town roads.
- They do not provide information or photographs about monuments or the battlefield landscape.
- Rarely will they document one-way roads or identify blind curves or shady rest areas.
- And of course, auto tour guidebooks are designed for motor vehicles, not bicycles.
Want a licensed battlefield guide?
7/22/2024 UPDATE: For years, I recommended GettysBike Tours, a small business that operated out of the Bus/RV parking lot near the park’s Baltimore Pike entrance. Unfortunately, GettysBike announced on its website at https://gettysbike.com/ that it closed its business effective January 1, 2024.
In response to the closure, I updated my guidance on how to find a licensed battlefield guide, which you can read as Tip 1 in the article, “Gettysburg Bicycling Tips”.
Want maps for a self-directed bicycle tour?
Civil War Cycling offers flexible options to match your touring style.
For in-depth planning and rich historical context, explore our 286-page full-color paperback guidebook. If you prefer something more convenient for quick reference during your ride, consider our PDF companion maps, perfect for viewing during a stop.
Traveling light? Try a compact paperback from our mini-book series, Maps to Bike Gettysburg—designed for cyclists who want essential info without the bulk.
Which is Best for Me?
If you’re deciding between our Gettysburg paperback guidebook versus the downloadable PDF maps, here’s a breakdown to help:
Best Option for a Comprehensive Guide
- Buy the guidebook if you want a detailed guide that includes history, route suggestions, safety tips, and points of interest.
Best Option for Lightweight Navigation and Highlights
- Buy the downloadable PDF maps if you want a portable, printable, and zoomable resource to use on a smartphone or tablet during stops in your ride. (Note: These are PDF documents and are not part of a GPS navigation system.)
Which One Should You Get?
- If you are planning a self-guided ride and want a historical reference that includes many maps, photos, and tables—Get the paperback guidebook.
- If you mainly need a visual guide for completing a safe, circular route with clear navigation instructions and tips—Get the downloadable maps. (Tip: We updated and republished some Gettysburg route maps as printed mini-books. For more details, click here.)
- If you want both history and route details on hand—Consider getting both.
What No One Told Me About Biking the Gettysburg Battlefield
Over the course of more than thirty years and dozens of visits, I explored Gettysburg National Military Park by bus, car, and on foot. But everything changed in 2012, when I toured the battlefield by bicycle for the first time. Experiencing American history on two wheels was, in a word, exhilarating.
Still, it took me four years to refine my approach to self-guided cycling tours.
Frustrated by the lack of detailed, cyclist-friendly resources, I began creating my own maps and guidebook. Existing maps were often incomplete, inaccurate, or didn’t account for Gettysburg’s many one-way roads. I had no clear guidance on how to avoid town traffic, what gear to pack, what to wear, or where to find water, restrooms, or shaded picnic spots.
Learning through experience, I eventually discovered the best ways to navigate the park, plan monument visits, and manage time effectively—insights I now share through these custom maps.
Biking the Gettysburg Battlefield:
Maps Made for Riders, by a Rider
Designing a safe, circular bicycle route through Gettysburg National Military Park is harder than it looks—especially if you’d rather not ride against traffic. With so many one-way roads and a confusing network of park, town, and state routes, even experienced cyclists can feel frustrated trying to plan their ride.
That’s where Civil War Cycling’s maps come in.
Created specifically for bicyclists of all skill levels, these maps take the guesswork out of touring Gettysburg. Unlike the standard park map, which wasn’t designed with cyclists in mind, our maps help you navigate with confidence by showing you:
- The safest roads for cyclists
- One-way road patterns and traffic flow
- Bicycle laws and policies for the park, town, and state
- How to legally access areas not typically visited by car
- Road names not labeled on official park maps
- Monument and landmark locations
- Restrooms, water stations, picnic spots, shade, and bike racks
Why spend hours trying to figure it all out yourself? Ride smarter—with maps designed for the way you move.
Ride Easy. Focus on the Experience.
Civil War Cycling’s maps are designed to take the stress out of your ride—so you can focus on the battlefield, not the logistics.
With these thoughtfully designed maps, you can leave your car behind and forget about unreliable GPS signals.
Most riders prefer to print the PDF maps and keep them in a jersey pocket or saddle bag for easy access during a quick stop. If your mobile device has a PDF reader, you can also view the maps electronically when you’re off the bike.
Important safety note: These maps are not meant to be used while riding. Gettysburg’s roads feature many twists, turns, and distractions. Trying to zoom in and navigate a digital map mid-ride can be dangerous. Always stop first.
Learning Made Simple
Each of the fourteen cycling routes through the Gettysburg battlefield is divided into manageable segments, making it easy to explore and learn as you ride.
Every segment highlights a selection of monuments along the route, with numbered markers that correspond to photographs and historical notes—right on the map.
For example, the Segment E map (shown below) identifies three monuments using numbers that match detailed captions and images, helping you connect the physical landmarks to their historical significance at a glance.
Discover Gettysburg on Two Wheels
Exploring the Gettysburg battlefield by bike is a hands-on journey through history. Civil War Cycling’s maps give you the structure and guidance to turn every mile into a meaningful learning experience.
Start your adventure—get your maps today!
Table of Gettysburg Bicycle Routes
Civil War Cycling’s bicycling maps are historically themed, circular routes over park roads that are designed for safety and cycling convenience. You may print these multi-page color PDFs to tuck into your jersey, bicycle panniers, or handlebar map bag. If your mobile device has a PDF reader, you can also digitally view your maps while on a break. There are no license keys or passwords. Simply purchase, download, and use.Note: On a mobile device, you may need to swipe the following table to the left to get to the ‘Read More’ links.
| Route # | Route Name | Miles | Theme | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full Day Loop | 23.8 | *Best Seller* Maximum battlefield coverage for July 1-3, 1863 [Tricky zig-zag through town to get to the Day 1 battlefield] | Read More |
| 1b | Full Day Short Loop | 11.5 | *Popular* Abbreviated coverage of key battlefield sites for July 1-3 [Requires above-average road cycling skills] | Read More |
| 2 | Battle Day 1 Loop | 10.5 | Fields north of town and part of Culp’s Hill [For the serious historian] | Read More |
| 3 | Battle Days 2 & 3 Loop | 17.0 | *Popular* Southern half of the battlefield, plus a complete tour of Culp’s Hill | Read More |
| 3b | Battle Days 2 & 3 Short Loop | 10.7 | *Popular* Abbreviated coverage of key battlefield sites for July 2-3 | Read More |
| 4 | The Ridges Loop | 9.0 | Simple route over the July 2-3 battlefield south of town, excluding Culp’s Hill | Read More |
| 5 | The Ridges Extended Loop | 12.2 | *Popular* Adds to Route 4 a ride through Devil’s Den, Rose Woods, and the Trostle Farm area | Read More |
| 6, 7 | Culp’s Hill Lower & Upper Loops | 2.4 (each) | Culp’s Hill divided into two loops | Read More |
| 8 | Culp’s Hill Double Loop | 5.5 | Complete tour of Culp’s Hill, including East Confederate Avenue [Recommended for your second tour of GNMP] | Read More |
| 9, 10, 11 | Devil’s Den, The Wheatfield, and Little Round Top Loops | 1.5 – 3.8 | Devil’s Den, The Wheatfield, and Little Round Top [Simple route, physically demanding] | Read More |
| 12 | East Cavalry Field | 5.2 | East Cavalry Field [For expert road cyclists only. Most of this tour is not within park boundaries.] | Read More |
Happy Cycling!
