Adventure Guides

Kitsuma Trail (Black Mountain, Mountain Bike)

// August 10th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Asheville Biking

Kitsuma Bust Out

Kitsuma in the Pisgah National Forest is one of the more “famous” mountain bike trails in the Asheville area. So famous in fact Litespeed named one of their bikes after this trail. The suggested ride is a 10 mile loop with close to 2,200 feet of elevation change. The ride starts with a serious lungbuster of a climb that challenges you with 14 switchbacks. Don’t let the first  painful 15 minutes get in your head-the next 5 miles consist of  epic and sometimes steep rolling singletrack on the ridgeline that ends with a fast and furious downhill in to the Old Fort picnic area.  From the picnic area hang a left on to the paved road (look for the Dead End sign, house with barking dogs, and garden with scarecrow). After a half mile, this turns into a recently paved gated road (we think with Rails to Trails funds) and is completely closed to cars.  From here  it’s essentially a 5 mile road ride with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Enjoy the views of the opposing mountain you just conquered. This is an advanced ride and very treacherous when wet.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-40 East for about 16 miles to the Ridgecrest exit (the exit just past Black Mtn). Turn left off the exit, cross bridge, then turn right at stop sign. Head about 1 mile to stop sign. Go straight and parking for trailhead is about 1/4 mile on your left.

Explorer/Lower Sidehill Loop (Bent Creek, Mountain Bike)

// March 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Asheville Biking

This intermediate 6.5-mile loop traverses some of Bent Creek’s most diverse terrain and features creek crossings, optional log rides, diverse woodlands & wildlife clearings with tremendous mountain vistas. After the ride be sure to cool off in Lake Powhatan.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 2, NC 191. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Bent Creek Ranch Road about 2 miles. We like the parking lot off 479 (dirt road) just past the Hardtimes trailhead parking.

Bent Creek Online Trail Map

Town Mountain Hill Climb (City, Road Ride)

// March 16th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Asheville Biking

A classic road ride with a 1500-foot climb up Town Mountain that begins on the edge of downtown. The twisty ride features cityscape and mountain views. Hook it up with the Blue Ridge Parkway (north) and descend the steep Elk Mountain for a 30+ mile “in town” ride.

Directions from Asheville: This ride is downtown off College St. right before you hit the Beaucatcher Tunnel which is east of town. Town Mountain Rd. is a left turn off College St. as you head east. The best bet for parking is any of the businesses on College St.

BRP to Looking Glass Rock Overlook (Parkway South, Road Ride, MP 388 to MP 417)

// March 16th, 2009 // No Comments » // Asheville Biking

Blue Ridge Parkway

Roughly 27 miles of steady climbing on one of the most famous roads in America. You’ll pass several impressive overlooks, pedal through a handful of tunnels, and cap off the ride with a view of Looking Glass Rock, a towering dome of granite deep in Pisgah National Forest. Turn around and enjoy the downhill back to town.

Directions from Asheville: Head south out of Asheville on McDowell St./US 25 S. This turns in to US 25 S/Hendersonville Rd. just past the Biltmore Estate. Follow this all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once on the Parkway, park anywhere and head south.

Cedar Rock Trail (Dupont State Forest, Mountain Bike)

// March 16th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Asheville Biking

Short but sweet, the 1.5-mile Cedar Rock Trail features a steep climb up eastern slickrock (large slabs of granite) topping out with killer views of Dupont State Forest. Take Big Rock trail from the top of the mountain for a fast, technical downhill over slickrock and single-track. We recommend a loop that includes Corn Mills Shoal to the Little River Trail to Cedar Rock Trail to Big Rock Trail. This loop is about 3 miles. Dupont has many trails so we highly recommend downloading a map from the site below or stopping at a local outdoor store to buy a map.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-26 E to Exit 40, and take NC 280 toward Pisgah Forest. Turn left (east) on US 64 and go 3.7 miles to the Texaco station in Penrose. Turn right on Crab Creek Rd. and continue 4.3 miles. Turn south 5.3 miles on DuPont Road that turns into Staton Road. Go past the Hooker Falls and Buck Forest Access Areas to a left at the end of Staton Road on Cascade Lakes Road. The Corn Mills Shoals Access Area is 0.8 miles on the right.

DuPont State Forest Online Trail Map

Green’s Lick (Bent Creek, Mountain Bike)

// March 14th, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Asheville Biking

With 2.5 miles of advanced single-track that drops 800 feet in a constant barrage of high berms, rolling whoop-dedos, and big jumps, Green’s Lick is a local favorite. For about a two hour ride we like Deer Lake Lodge, left on Wolf Branch, right on 479E, left on Ingles Field Gap, at Five Points straight to North Boundary to Green’s Lick. Bomb Green’s Lick down, right on 479C and left on Lower Sidehill to get back to the parking lot.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 2, NC 191. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Bent Creek Ranch Road about 2 miles. We like the parking lot off 479 (dirt road) just past the Hardtimes trailhead parking.

Bent Creek Online Trail Map