FATMAP by Strava

Blue Mountain Advanced Loop

New York City

A loop connecting Blue Mountain's most challenging trails.

Mountain Biking Difficult

Distance
20 km
Ascent
478 m
Descent
478 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
25 m
High Point
155 m
Gradient
Blue Mountain Advanced Loop Map

Blue Mountain Reservation is the top mountain biking destination in the Hudson River Valley. From fun, flowy singletrack to massive rock slabs, there's no doubt you will come back for more. With minimal signage and countless side trails, this park can be hard to navigate at times. Stick to this loop to see the best of the advanced trails without backtracking or riding the same one twice.

Description

There are several places to begin your ride, but most prefer the trailhead closest to the gate. From here, you can hop right onto the trail. Begin your ride with a quick stretch up "On Your Back" before making your way onto "Dr. Jekyll." The trail twists and winds its way through a large corridor, offering countless ways to session massive rock slabs along the way. You will quickly forget how close you are to the massive city just an hour to the south.

Along the north side of the park, make the quick loop around "El Capitan" and enjoy the picturesque backdrop, as well as wildlife that can often be found in the area. Up next is the longest stretch of singletrack in the park, "Myx Monster." Lined with plenty of roots, rock gardens, and optional lines, this trail skirts around the park's namesake: Blue Mountain. Despite a lack of views, hikers frequent the summit to enjoy the calming, serene atmosphere it provides.

Up next, a brief stretch of doubletrack connects to one of the park's only one-way trails: "My Favorite Trail." The name says it all, and even on shorter rides, locals make sure to incorporate this into their loop. Technical and challenging, it transitions into Rambler.

Debacle lies ahead and is the most challenging, relentless, and technical trail Blue Mountain has to offer, according to the owner of Yorktown Cycles. Look for a couple of session lines along the way that the locals love. If you like slow, technical, and rocky trail, this will be your favorite two miles of the day.

Taking Criss-Cross north, round out your ride with a fast, fun descent down Yin that drops you on the other side of the pond from where you began. Across from the park, you'll find a small bar and grill popular with locals, and just up US-9, you'll find a brewery near the train station.

Sources: https://www.yorktowncycles.com/ https://parks.westchestergov.com/images/stories/pdfs/BlueMtnmap2015.pdf

Difficulty

Difficult

Mostly stable trail tread with some variability featuring larger and more unavoidable obstacles that may include, but not be limited to: bigger stones, roots, steps, and narrow curves. Compared to lower intermediate, technical difficulty is more advanced and grades of slopes are steeper. Ideal for upper intermediate riders.

High Exposure

3 out of 4

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between March and November

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Hike a bike
  • Picturesque
  • Singletrack
  • In the forest
  • Wet-weather friendly
  • Drops
  • Jumps
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens
  • Wooden Feature

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area