Mountain biking
Western North Carolina is a mountain biking Mecca and has etched a reputation as one the nation’s premier destinations for this sport.
The Nantahala and Pisgah national forests are rife with old logging roads open to riding, and many bikers are content to just take off on the roads and see where they lead.
For others, though, that’s a little too much adventure. But that’s OK, because there are plenty of trail systems in this region. In fact, two new trail areas have opened in the last couple of years, and both are gaining popularity.
One is the Lewis Soles Memorial Trail in Franklin, a network of three interconnected loops with 2.6 miles of single-track. It was constructed by local volunteers on land owned by the Macon County Recreation Department adjacent to the Little Tennessee Greenway.
The Soles Memorial trail system is a great starting place for newcomers to the world of mountain biking.
Another relatively new trail in the region is a 10-mile trail system in the Canton area of Haywood County in the Rough Creek Watershed. The trail system has a gentle grade, suitable for beginning mountain bikers and meant to encourage family recreation. Three loops comprise the trail system, making it easy to tailor a ride to the length you want. The 830-acre preserve is described as beautiful by those who have seen it.
Rough Creek Watershed, Canton
The Rough Creek Watershed is an 830-acre preserve that once served as the source of Canton’s drinking water. The town preserved it and sanctioned the construction of a 10-mile mountain bike trail. The trail system uses a combination of old forest roads and newly built trail.
The main trail system consists of three loops, kind of like a figure 8 with a horseshoe-shaped protrusion. The main trail system only has 350 feet of elevation gain.
The downside, however, is the haul from the parking area to the trail system. A mile-long climb of about 700 feet of elevation has to be overcome before reaching the first loop.
To get the watershed from Waynesville, head east on I-40 toward Asheville. Get off at exit 33 and make a right at the end of the exit ramp. Make a right again onto Beaverdam Road. (It will take you back under the Interstate.) Turn left onto Rice Cove Road. Turn right on Rough Water Plant Road. When the road forks, go left onto a narrow paved road that leads to the old water processing plant.
Lewis Soles Memorial Trail, Franklin
The Lewis Soles Memorial Trail is adjacent to the Little Tennessee Greenway near the center of town. There is a total of 2.6 miles of single-track with three loops: the Upper Loop, the Lower Loop and a River Loop. The Upper and Lower loops are just under one mile each. The River loop is six-tenths of a mile. The loops can be strung together in a figure-8 fashion. There’s. The volunteer-built trail is on property owned by the Macon County Recreation Park.
The trail is adjacent to the Little Tennessee Greenway, which run underneath Main Street on the outskirts of downtown.
Jackrabbit Recreation Area, Hayesville
A brand new mountain bike trail at Lake Chatuge near Hayesville has recently made its full debut. It’s been under construction by a group of hardy and dedicated volunteers for several years now, a charge led by the Southern Appalachian Bike Association.
The 12-mile single-track trail system is on a peninsula jutting into Lake Chatuge, located at Jackrabbit Recreation Area in Clay County. About two-thirds of the trail system is a perimeter trail bordering the lake, generally flat and easy for beginners. The remaining miles are the inner connectors, with some climbing and more advanced stretches. It is on land owned by the forest service. There is a lakeshore recreation with a swimming area and beach up the road from the mountain bike trail head for a cool dip after riding. www.sabacycling.com.
Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City
The Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Nantahala Gorge has its own trail, which allows riders to try their hand at some technical maneuvering. This trail was designed specifically for mountain bikers. It features technical riding as well as some rolling single-track. The ride is about 4.5 miles, with a loop at the end. You’ll also enjoy some incredible views of the Nantahala Gorge.
Fontana Village, Robbinsville
There are a ton of trails in the village, each of them labeled and fairly well blazed. Mix and match from numerous options to make your own loop.
You can get a good bit of climbing and long descents, plus technical rock gardens, stream crossings and log crossings. Stop into the bike shop for a trail map.
Tsali, Bryson City
The famed mountain bike trail system on the shore of Fontana Lake lies within the Nantahala National Forest.
Tsali’s trails are fast and usually well-packed. There are a few steep hills and technical sections but for the most part Tsali is manageable for even novice riders. If you run into some locals or some riders who look like they’ve ridden there often, ask them about the loop that leads to the awesome view of Fontana Lake. It’s worth the climb.
When your ride is over, take the boat ramp straight into Fontana Lake. No better way to cool off and get the grime off your body and bike.
Bike shops in the area
- Motion Makers Bicycle Shop, Sylva. Sales, service & repair. Organizes group rides. www.motionmakersbikes.com. 828.586.6925.
- Rolls Rite, Waynesville. Sales, service & repair. 828.276.6080. www.rollsritebicycles.com.
- Smoky Mountain Bicycles. Sales, service, and rentals. Located beside the Little Tennessee River greenway for quick access to riding out the back door. Organizes group rides. 828.369.2881. www.smokymtnbikes.com.
- Fontana Village Adventure Center, Robbinsville. Full service bike shop, rentals, repairs, sales. 800.849.2258, www.fontanavillage.com.
- Nantahala Outdoor Center, Nantahala Gorge. Full-service bike shop with sales, service and rental, guided trips, mountain biking courses. 828.488.2175 or 800.232.7238. www.noc.com.
