Best Rides in WNC

Welcome to MTB WNC's guide to 12 great loop rides in Western North Carolina, consisting of singletrack trails and gravel forest roads. Rides are organized by their relative difficulty level (easiest to hardest). Read highlights of each ride below, then choose a ride from the list at the left for more detailed information, including:

ride length
difficulty
trailhead location
a ride map
images from the ride, and
a detailed description and directions

Ride Highlights

Easy Rides

Boyd Branch Loop--conceived with the just beginning or first-time mountain biker in mind, this short, easy loop at Bent Creek combines a gradual gravel road climb with a nice, smooth yet very fun singletrack downhill, complete with a rocky creek crossing. This is a wonderful introduction to mountain biking. It's also great in addition to any other rides at Bent Creek.

Single Track Sampler--try this one once you are comfortable with the previous ride. This is great for any ability level, but perfect for the beginner who wants to get on some serious singletrack. It has a higher climb (about 500')--just enough to make the downhill a whole lot of fun! Longer than one on the Boyd Branch loop, the climb is a bit steeper and some climbing is done on singletrack, which is rocky in places. The downhill is a bit more technical and somewhat steeper, but still not too hard. Creek crossings, gravel road cruising, and Lake Powhatan and Dam included.

More Difficult Rides

Bent Creek--The Top--minutes from Asheville; short, sweet ride; flat singletrack; steep singletrack climbs; one of the best singletrack downhills in Pisgah; gravel road cruising; Lake Powhatan and Dam; popular riding area.

"More Difficult Plus" Rides

Picklesimer Fields--Seasonal use only!--scenic creek, forest, and waterfalls; Picklesimer Fields; long/moderate and short/steep uphills; screaming singletrack/gravel road downhill; more gravel road climbs and downhills; views; jumps; creek crossings; more fast, rolling, beautiful singletrack.

Fletcher Creek--shorter loop close to Asheville; difficult climb; very steep downhill; technical singletrack; gravel road cruise; awesome Fletcher Creek singletrack trail; Hendersonville Reservoir and Dam.

Flat Laurel Creek--high elevation (all above 5000'); beautiful scenery; very rocky and technical but fairly flat; creek crossings; waterfalls; steep uphill paved sections; Blue Ridge Parkway riding; spectacular Devil's Courthouse mountain and tunnel.

The next two rides are in a section of the Pisgah NF that is quite remote and rarely visited by bikes. It's too bad, because a mountain bike is the perfect way to explore the incredible scenery found there! The loops can be ridden separately or combined into one grand tour of the whole area (see below under Most Difficult rides). All 3 loops are highly recommended!

Staire Creek (Coleman Boundary North tour)--very scenic, lush forest with huge trees; steep gravel road climb; gravel road cruise; many streams, cascades and waterfalls including Walker Falls; very steep, technical singletrack downhill; cave; remote, rugged area.

Douglas Falls (Coleman Boundary South tour)--scenic forest; rugged mountains; gravel road cruising and climbs; out and back ride and hike to spectacular Douglas Falls and virgin forest with enormous trees; numerous other small waterfalls and cascades; long, grassy road; fairly steep, technical downhill singletrack with creek crossings; remote area.

Most Difficult Rides

Coleman Boundary Grand Tour--The best way to explore the area, this long, spectacular ride combines the Staire Creek and Douglas Falls rides above into one great "figure 8" loop. Includes all highlights listed above!

Tsali's Left and Right Loops--long loop ride; entirely singletrack; incredible views; Fontana Lake (shore) riding; very fast, hardpacked trails; gradual climbs and descents with only a few steep, technical sections; many jumps and banked curves; popular riding area.

Laurel Mountain--long loop; remote, scenic forest and mountain area; gradual but technical, fun singletrack climb; very steep uphill section; high elevation change; high elevation environment; steep, rocky switchbacks; 2.5 mile, 1600 vertical foot, very technical uninterrupted downhill; scenic gravel road cruising and climbing.

Hard Core Ride!

Black Mountain--also known as "Clawhammer"--7 1/2 mile, 2000 vertical foot climb; technical creekside trail with at least 6 creek crossings; scenic Twin Falls side hike; Buckhorn Gap; incredible views; very remote and rugged ridgeline trail (way beyond technical); rock cave; rock outcroppings and boulders; very fast, technical, 1900 vertical foot, 4-mile downhill.

???...Does it get worse? I am scanning the maps for a loop that involves even more climbing, technicality, and general insanity for those wanting more. Check back soon, or give me an idea...

Remember: just because it's less difficult doesn't mean a ride is any less fun!

Distances given in ride descriptions are measured in miles, and may vary slightly with different bicycle odometers.

Ride difficulties are "in my opinion", and I have attempted to give an honest judgment based on an average rider. Ride these loops at your own risk: beginners should not attempt the "Most Difficult" rides. Most intermediate riders should be able to complete any of these loops--just pace yourself and take care, and, of course, remember to have fun!