FATMAP by Strava

Bennett Gap Loop

Brevard

Bennett Gap is renowned as one of the most technical—and most fun—descents in the Pisgah National Forest.

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance
10 km
Ascent
430 m
Descent
430 m
Duration
1-2 hrs
Low Point
708 m
High Point
1.1 km
Gradient
9˚
MapGPX Flyover
Bennett Gap Loop Map

Portions of the Bennett Gap trail are downright insane. Most notably, the ultra-rocky, ultra-steep Devil's Staircase is barely hikeable... and yet some local riders can clean it on a regular basis. Be careful: once you see it, your mind could very easily be blown.

Description

Insane sections aside, if you're willing to hike your bike for a while (and you better be if you're planning to mountain bike in the Pisgah), the rest of the descent is a gnarly, fast, ultra-fun rip that is very rideable by mortals (albeit mortals with advanced-level skills).

Take a minute to pause and soak in the views from the upper reaches of Bennett Gap. Views from bike legal trails in the Pisgah National Forest are few and far between due to the thick tree cover, so savor the delicious views that this trail serves up.

Views savored, tear into the descent with full abandon—this trail is an absolute riot!

Note: Bennett Gap is only open to mountain bikes from October 15 to April 15.

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

Extreme Exposure

4 out of 4

Some trail sections are extremely exposed where falling will almost certainly result in serious injury or death.

Remoteness

3 out of 4

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

Best time to visit

between October and April

Features

  • Flow
  • Technical
  • Hike a bike
  • Road sections
  • Drops
  • Roots
  • Rock Rolls
  • Rock Slabs
  • Rock Gardens

Similar routes nearby

1.4 km away

Avery Creek Loop

Avery Creek Loop

A fast, chundery descent without the death-defying character of most Pisgah trails.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance
11 km
Ascent
498 m
Descent
498 m

2.9 km away

Black Mountain Loop

Black Mountain Loop

The Black Mountain Trail defines mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest—gnarly, steep, and tons of fun!

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance
20 km
Ascent
791 m
Descent
791 m

7.3 km away

Bracken Preserve

Bracken Preserve

Flowy but steep singletrack rideable from downtown Brevard.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance
12 km
Ascent
409 m
Descent
409 m

8.4 km away

Farlow Gap and Daniel Ridge Loop

Farlow Gap and Daniel Ridge Loop

Widely regarded as the most technical, challenging trail in Pisgah National Forest.

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance
18 km
Ascent
719 m
Descent
719 m

8.4 km away

Squirrel Gap -> Turkey Pen

Squirrel Gap -> Turkey Pen

An epic loop featuring some of Pisgah's most remote trails.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance
41 km
Ascent
1.6 km
Descent
1.6 km

8.8 km away

Laurel Mountain

Laurel Mountain

Big climbs, big views, technical high-speed descents—Pisgah National Forest at its finest!

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance
29 km
Ascent
1.1 km
Descent
1.1 km
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Guidebooks in this area

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