1.2 km away
Bent Creek
The most popular trail system near Asheville is popular for a very good reason: the trails are superb!
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 29 km
- Ascent
- 815 m
- Descent
- 815 m
A flat, flowy, beginner-friendly loop in Asheville's most popular trail system
Mountain Biking Easy
The Bent Creek Trail System is hands-down the most popular mountain bike trail system near the burgeoning mountain metropolis of Asheville, North Carolina. Its popularity is rightly earned: the trails here are of superb quality, and the network offers a little something for everyone.
You can think of the Bent Creek Trail System as being split into two different halves. The steeper half that goes up and down the mountainside are overall more difficult, and the flatter half, on the opposite side of the gravel road and near the lake, is very beginner-friendly. The route mapped here showcases the most beginner friendly trails at Bent Creek.
This route is essentially a combination of the Pine Tree Loop and the Explorer Loop. The singletrack is relatively flat and quite smooth—but it’s still flowy and fast! A few roots will remind you that you’re still riding a mountain bike trail, but you can’t really ask for a better beginner mountain bike trail than this!
The forest is thick here, with portions of this trail running through dense rhododendron that overhangs the trail, forming beautiful, green rhodo tunnels 12 months of the year.
A nearby campground at Lake Powhatan is the perfect spot to spend the night, turning your visit to Bent Creek into a true weekend getaway in the woods.
Sources: http://www.pisgahareasorba.org/2010/04/bent-creek-beginners-ride-from-hard-times-trailhead/
Easy
Mostly smooth and non-technical singletrack with unavoidable obstacles 2in/5cm tall or less. Avoidable obstacles may be present. Ideal for beginner riders.
1.2 km away
The most popular trail system near Asheville is popular for a very good reason: the trails are superb!
Moderate Mountain Biking
1.2 km away
A gravel tour of Bent Creek Experimental Forest and the NC Arboretum.
Easy Mountain Biking
7.4 km away
A gated, dead-end road perfect as a gravel grind or overnight bikepacking trip.
Easy Mountain Biking
8.1 km away
Classic Pisgah at an intermediate level.
Difficult Mountain Biking
9 routes · Mountain Biking
3 routes · Mountain Biking
8 routes · Mountain Biking