12 north carolina mountain biking trails for all skill levels
As most mountain bikers will tell you, North Carolina mountain biking isn’t just good — it’s some of the best in the country. Known as the Great Trails State, NC earned that name for more than hiking, paddling, equestrian and walking trails alone.
Whether you’re an experienced cyclist looking for a new challenge or the type of traveler who cares more about panoramas than miles pedaled, exploring bike trails in NC is an exhilarating way to soak up our state’s natural beauty. Cycling options abound through the Blue Ridge Mountains, from day tripping on Boone’s mountain biking trails to pedaling straight into Pisgah National Forest from Brevard. And the options don’t end there. The Fonta Flora Trail Loop around Lake James and mountain bike trail system in Lake Norman State Park beckon bikers beyond the mountain region of the state, as does the allure of organized rides. No matter where you choose to explore, swapping four wheels on the highway for two on a bike trail is a sure bet for thrilling and scenic outdoor adventures in NC .
Before pedaling out, you can plan ahead and prepare — more on that Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principle in a bit — by researching your intended trail’s level of difficulty and making sure you’re riding within your limits. Already earned your mountain biking stripes? A great way to share the outdoors is by bringing someone new along with you, teaching them proper trail riding techniques and etiquette as you go. Speaking of, we’ll cover some below, with tips for biking in a way that protects the incredible outdoor spaces powering your adventure. But first, let’s look at a handful of our top picks for NC mountain biking destinations.
12 Trails to help you Switch Gears and Get Outside
Accessible Mountain Biking Trails & Groups:
- Jetton Park’s Trail Loop: Did you know North Carolina is home to the world’s first adaptive mountain bike trail? Built in 2007 next to Lake Norman, this short, 1-mile loop is smooth and wide, with a couple of rooty sections.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: In 2023, the park partnered with Catalyst Sports to launch a program of free adaptive equipment and excursions, including for adaptive mountain bikers. You can find events and check equipment availability through Catalyst’s Asheville chapter.
- Keeley Park: In Greensboro, the new Keeley Park Adaptive Mountain Bike Trail is welcoming adaptive bikers to enjoy two miles and four “Experience Zones” worth of trail, with sections for beginner, intermediate, and advanced cyclists.
ON THE HORIZON
- Lake Crabtree Park: At this Triangle-area park, volunteers with North Carolina Adapted Sports are working to make 6+ loops and trails accessible to mountain bikers of all abilities.
Easy to Intermediate Trails
- Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park: In Boone, this free mountain bike park features five main trails and more than a dozen side trails, with options for every skill level. The Keendergarten trail is the easiest, while Rocky Branch offers more of a challenge. A bonus? You’ll be cycling through fern- and flower-filled forests and rhododendron groves.
- Boyd Branch Loop Ride: For Asheville mountain biking that’s suited to first-time bikers and families, try this easy, 1.75-mile loop trail. After, cool off with a wade into Boyd Branch Creek and enjoy the shade of the area’s hemlocks.
- Fonta Flora State Trail (County Park Section): Perhaps the most challenging part of this beginner-friendly, 4-mile trail is that it’s multi-use — meaning, you’ll need to be extra mindful of hikers and walkers. It’s a trail worth sharing, though, with wonderful views of Lake James.
Intermediate to Advanced Trails
- Tsali Left & Right Loops: For stunning views of Lake Fontana and a 20-mile, full-day ride, combine both loops in Bryson City’s Swain County Park. Or, do one loop and spend the rest of the day exploring this peaceful mountain town, a lesser-known gateway to the Smokies.
- Warrior Creek: In the Blue Ridge foothills, you’ll find Wilkesboro, a small town (pop. 3,687) with some stellar mountain biking. The trails at the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir are some of the best, including the Warrior Creek trail which, when combined with a slice of the Overmountain Victory Trail (OVT), adds up to about 13 miles of cycling.
Advanced Trails
- The Kitsuma Trail: With plenty of tough switchbacks and straight-up climbs, you’ll have to work for the view at the top of this 6-mile trail. We promise it’s worth it, though. Catch your breath at the top with a stellar view of Mount Mitchell, the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi, then lose it again with a breathlessly fast downhill descent.
- Black Mountain Loop: A highly technical Pisgah mountain biking trail known for its hard-won downhill ride, you’ll descend more than 1,900 feet while biking down Black Mountain Loop. While out, say hello to other mountain bikers who’ve made the pilgrimage to Brevard, known as the Cycling Capital of the South.
- Green’s Lick/Ingles Field Gap Loop: If a 1,000+ foot rocky ascent to a peak clocking in at 3,300-feet in elevation — plus, a wickedly fast downhill ride — is up your alley, you’ll love this trail system in Bent Creek Experimental Forest, the oldest forest of its kind east of the Mississippi.
Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Tips for mindful mountain biking
Feeling ready to shred some gnar? Whether you’re a pro or a first-time rider, before pedaling through North Carolina, be sure to review the following guidelines to help preserve the trails playing host to your adventure.
Plan ahead and prepare
Check with local bike shops, cycling groups and land managers for up-to-date trail information. Trails can temporarily close for weather or seasonally, so you always want to be sure you’re working with current information! Have a backup plan if your chosen trail is closed or parking lots are full. And bring a physical map, too; you never know how reliable cell service and apps will be on trails.
stick to trails
To preserve trailside plants, bike only on established trails and durable surfaces — like authorized slick rock trails, dirt roads and pavement — and reconsider going out when trail beds are muddy and vulnerable to widening. For that reason, skip out on cutting switchbacks, too. They can cause damage and erosion even when trails are dry.
Beyond protecting plant life, sticking to trails helps keep wildlife wild and bikers safe, too. Many creatures grow accustomed to well-used bike trails and instinctively avoid them, but riding off trail can disturb and confuse them. And while remaining on trail is always important for personal safety, it can matter even more when biking in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. Trust that any closed trail sign you see is there for a reason, including to protect you from loosened rocks, soil and trees.
Leave it as you find it
Before and after each ride, wash your bike and check your clothing, bike and equipment for seeds. That’s a common way non-native plant species get introduced and transported. Leaving nature as you’ve found it also means not engaging in unauthorized trail work, which can accidentally damage sensitive vegetation and contribute to erosion.
be considerate of others and share the outdoors
Keep trails welcoming to everyone by minding your speed and, if wearing earbuds, leaving the volume low so you can easily hear other bikers and hikers. Consider adding a bike bell to alert other trail users of your presence. Speaking of hikers, be ready to yield to them if trails are narrow or crowded, and yield to uphill cyclists when descending, too.
Ready to get out and ride, respectfully? Find the rest of the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles for outdoor adventures, and join us in the movement to preserve North Carolina’s outdoors.
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