If you’re looking for a great way to get some exercise, along with a rush of adrenaline, mountain biking might be a great hobby for you! It’s a wonderful activity for pros as well as those who are just starting out. If you can ride a bike and have a sense of adventure, you’ll be set to take on the trails, and North Carolina is home to some of the best! With mountains, forest, and coastline, North Carolina has hundreds of mountain bike trails for all levels. Which is why we chose to highlight some of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina!
Do you have the right mountain biking gear?
Before you head out, be sure that you have everything you need so that you can get the most out of your mountain biking experience! Be sure you have a mountain bike that’s in great shape and is adjusted to fit you. If there are any parts that need replacing, be sure you check out our bike shop to browse extra bike parts along with tools and accessories.
Make sure you also have the proper clothing and protective gear as well as shoes and gloves! Once you’re geared up, you’ll be ready to start exploring some of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina.
5 Best Mountain Bike Trails in North Carolina
1. 5 Falls Dupont State Forest – Brevard
Difficulty: easy
Length: 12 miles
Route Type: loop
Surface: doubletrack
Elevation: +717/661 ft
Starting off our list of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina is the 5 Falls trail in Dupont State Forest. Dupont State Forest is home to over 80 miles worth of trails for all levels but biking the 5 Falls trail is great for those who are just starting out!
As the name suggests, you’ll bike past 5 different waterfalls in this beautiful state forest. This trail features a covered bridge, a rocky downhill section, and a stream crossing. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can easily add more trails to this route!
2. Green’s Lick – Asheville
Difficulty: medium
Length: 1.7 miles
Route Type: out & back
Surface: singletrack
Elevation: +0/237 ft
Next on our list of best mountain bike trails in North Carolina is this trail that is part of Bent Creek trails in Asheville. Green’s Lick trail offers an intense downhill ride that’s perfect for thrill seekers! It’s fairly rocky and you may even find yourself catching some air, so keep that in mind before you start pedaling and be prepared for some intensity! This trail is best suited for intermediate riders who are comfortable riding downhill and gaining some speed.
3. Rocky Knob Park – Boone
Difficulty: medium-hard
Length: 7 miles
Route Type: network
Surface: singletrack
Elevation: +256/269 ft
Rocky Knob Park in Boone features a little over 7 miles worth of mountain bike trails to explore, ranging from medium to hard in difficulty. It’s hard to pick just one of them to highlight on our list of best mountain bike trails in North Carolina! These trails are rocky and feature steep climbs with declines that are sure to give you an adrenaline rush. They wind through the forest of the Appalachian Mountains, offering scenic views that you won’t want to miss!
4. Tsali Left Loop – Bryson City
Difficulty: medium
Length: 11 miles
Route Type: loop
Surface: singletrack
Elevation: +376/325 ft
The Tsali Recreation Area in Bryson City is home to some of North Carolina’s best mountain bike trails! The Left Loop is a longer trail that features some flat riding as well as segments of the trail that are steeper. This is a great option for intermediate riders who want a longer ride with stunning views!
5. Wild Turkey Trail – Greensboro
Difficulty: medium
Length: 2.9 miles
Route Type: out & back
Surface: singletrack
Elevation: +55/55 ft
Ready for a fast ride? The Wild Turkey Trail in Greensboro is a great option for you! This trail is well-kept and smooth, allowing you to take yourself past your limits for a ride like no other. It features berms, rock jumps, skinnies, and other features for you to test your skills. Great for intermediate riders, this is one of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina and one that you definitely won’t want to pass up!
That tops off our list of the best mountain bike trails in North Carolina! Whether you’re local to the area or you’re planning a trip, be sure you consider checking one or more of these trails out so that you can experience all that this beautiful state has to offer. Mountain biking is a sport unlike any other and one that will have you coming back time and time again to test your skills. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your bike, gear, and get ready to explore the trails!
