Our Favorite Asheville Mountain Biking Trails

You may pride yourself on your mountain biking repertoire, but have you ever been mountain biking in Asheville? Asheville, NC is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where loads of biking trails can be found within a few minutes’ drive and even more within an hour. Those who know and of course the locals, tout it as among the very best in the country. Nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest, Bent Creek Experimental Forest, and Pisgah National Forest are full of excellent mountain bike trails, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorites below, based on the type of terrain you might prefer on any given day. 

(Note: Electric and pedal-assist bikes are not currently allowed in DuPont, Pisgah, or Bent Creek.)

Beginner and Family-Friendly MTB Trails in Asheville

Bent Creek Experimental Forest

Bent Creek Experimental Forest is a favorite local mountain biking spot because of its proximity to Asheville. In just 20 minutes, you can drive from downtown Asheville to plenty of beginner-friendly terrain. While more advanced riders love finding the big climbs and technical features at Bent Creek, riders who aren’t yet ready for technical trails will find plenty of skill- and fitness-building opportunities. Many of the mountain biking trails at Bent Creek are non-technical (without rocks and roots), making this a great place to bring the family or groups of friends. With nearly 30 miles of double- and singletrack, there’s something for everyone.

DuPont: Ridgeline Trail

As far as beginner-friendly mountain biking trails near Asheville go, the Ridgeline Trail in DuPont State Forest is a fast, flowy 6-mile loop that everyone will love. In fact, most riders who’ve visited the Asheville area count this trail in their top 3. Since its redesign, the trail is smooth and well-bermed, so you won’t have to worry about technical traps. Both the climb and the descent are equally enjoyable. Make sure everyone in your party practices their braking before heading out; speed control will be essential as the trail dips and curves.

DuPont: White Pine Loop

DuPont’s White Pine Loop mountain biking trail is a two-way forest road that travels through logged white pine trees, perfect for those who are just getting started. It’s short and sweet, with zero elevation gain and a total ride time of just 3-5 minutes. The 2,552ft loop begins and ends at Hickory Mountain Road near the Poplar and White Pine intersections, and can be paired with multiple other beginner-friendly trails for hours of exploration. Stay on the lookout for hikers, horses, and other mountain bikers, since it’s technically a multi-use trail. 

DuPont: Boundary Trail

DuPont’s 0.3-mile Boundary Trail is another beginner- and family-friendly trail, which can be linked with Guion Trail and Hickory Mountain Road. It’s one of the trails referred to above which can be easily ridden in addition to White Pine. Flat and generally well-groomed, beginners will enjoy some easy and fun biking, although some corners are slightly eroding and you’ll find the occasional trench, root, or rock to avoid.

Intermediate Asheville MTB Trails

Bent Creek: Green’s Lick Trail

Green’s Lick is a fun, 2.5-mile, 800ft descent for intermediate mountain bikers visiting the Asheville area. Some might even call it the best downhill route in all of Bent Creek. Designed by Trail Dynamics and built by machines, the trail is full of well-sequenced turns, perfect rollers, and an exhilarating series of jumps midway down. The trail will drop steeply through some larger rocks and head down a wide, open straight line descent on high-speed red clay. The most technical obstacles you’ll have are sections of loose rock and the speed you’ll inevitably gain on the way down.

Pisgah: Spencer Gap – Trace Ridge Loop 

Pisgah’s Spencer Gap to Trace Ridge Loop rewards intermediate mountain bikers with a fast, hard-packed descent after a moderately difficult (but quite strenuous) 1,000-ft gravel/forest road climb. You’ll park at the Trace Ridge Trail and ride back down to Wash Creek Road, then turn to follow Spencer Gap Trail and then Trace Ridge Trail, noting the change from gravel road to singletrack along the way. Once you reach the top, it’s all downhill back to the parking lot. The main technical features you’ll encounter heading downhill are drops, roots and rocks, and some trail erosion. Make sure you’re confident in your technical descents before attempting this traill.

Pisgah: Kitsuma

Pisgah’s Kitsuma mountain biking trail is what many would call “legendary;” the downhill is well-known as one of the top downhills in the Asheville area. Over the course of the 10-mile singletrack loop, you’ll climb up switchbacks for a grueling 2,000 feet before speeding back down through the forest. The toughest climbing is near the beginning of the ride (if you park at the top lot), so don’t give up too soon. If you make it past the third switchback, you’ll be able to settle into a more sustainable level of effort until you’ve gained a total of 850 feet in less than a mile. You won’t have earned that downhill joyride until you make it up and down two 250-ft ridges, but at least you’ll have views of Mount Mitchell (the tallest mountain East of the Mississippi) to keep you going. When it’s time to fly downhill, be ready to plunge 1,500 feet over 2.8 flowy miles, navigating obstacles like narrow trail sections, water bars, and rocks as you go.

Advanced Asheville MTB Trails

Pisgah: Farlow Gap 

Farlow Gap is the first advanced ride we recommend near Asheville; it’s also one of the toughest. While you’ll enjoy ample scenery and lush vegetation, expect to work hard navigating plenty of rocks, tree roots, stream crossings, and ridges. The uphill alone is a strenuous 5-mile climb on a gravel road and doubletrack. The downhill is one of Pisgah’s most technical; it’s both rocky and steep. Make sure you’re confident in both your skill and your stamina before starting this ride. 

Pisgah: Buckwheat to Bennett Gap

This classic advanced Asheville-area trail is a steep one; do your best not to skid downhill! You’ll climb to get there, but this really rough climb is worth it. Take a nice warm up on a forest road, then progress to singletrack at the top. Stop for some views before riding some steep rolling hills, then descending to Club Gap and Bennett Gap. The Bennett Gap downhill is considered some of the best mountain biking Pisgah has to offer. 

Pisgah: Heartbreak Ridge

Finally, we recommend our advanced Asheville mountain bikers make their way to Heartbreak Ridge. The climb to Heartbreak Ridge begins with a gentle, forest road warmup and breaks with the Kitsuma downhill (mentioned above) before introducing the toughest climb — from Star Gap to Heartbreak Ridge. The downhill is one of the Asheville area’s longest descents, dropping over 2,000 feet in a mere four miles. The advanced rating comes more from taking obstacles at speed than the obstacles alone, but the technical features are nothing to laugh at. You’ll ride over plenty of rocky sections while encountering an abundance of roots, drops, narrow sections, and steep drop-offs. 

The Full Asheville Mountain Biking Experience 

For those who are looking to go straight to the good stuff, make a new riding buddy, or maybe not ride around in circles in an immense forest looking at your phone at every intersection, The Bike Farm guide and coaching services will give you a personal introduction to all the forest has to offer. So if you are heading to Asheville with your mountain bike in tow get in touch and let’s ride!