How many miles of mountain bike trail are in National Forests in North Carolina?

National Forests in North Carolina has about 445 mi of bike-designated trail across 207 segments, out of 2,074 mi of total National Forest System trail.

What is the riding season in National Forests in North Carolina?

Most bike-designated trails in National Forests in North Carolina carry a Year-round season in USFS data; higher-elevation trails clear later.

Are e-bikes allowed in National Forests in North Carolina?

Only where designated. Class 1 e-bikes are recorded on 43 segments. See the e-bike rules page for the class-by-class breakdown.

Updated October 2026

National Forests in North Carolina Mountain Bike Trails

Mountain bike

445mi

designated on 207 segments

21% of mapped trail

E-bike

76.1miClass 1

designated on 43 segments

4% of mapped trail

Mountain bike

445mi

designated on 207 segments

21% of mapped trail

Season on record: Year-round
Bike Access Grade: A88% of rideable miles open to bikes. How we grade

E-bike

76.1miClass 1

designated on 43 segments

Class 176.1 mi
Class 276.1 mi
Class 376.1 mi

Treated as a motor vehicle: ridden only where designated.

Ridable trails: 193
Mapped trail: 2,074 mi on 700 segments

Both lanes share one scale: the 2,074 mi of National Forest System trail mapped in National Forests in North Carolina, North Carolina. From USFS National Forest System Trails records, updated October 2026.

National Forests in North Carolina earns a Bike Access Grade of A: 88% of its rideable trail miles are open to mountain bikes, with Class-1 e-bike access on part of the network. Excellent — most rideable trail miles are open to mountain bikes, with Class-1 e-bike access too.

National Forests in North Carolina carries 2,074 mi of mapped National Forest System trail, of which 445 mi across 207 segments is designated for mountain bikes, typically open Year-round. Class 1 e-bikes are designated on 43 segments (76.1 mi).

Reviewed by CanIBikeHere Editorial Team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

Where to stay near National Forests in North Carolina →

Of the 2,074 mi of mapped trail in National Forests in North Carolina, 21% — 445 mi across 207 bike-designated segments — is open to mountain bikes in USFS travel-management data.

Tread is overwhelmingly native dirt: USFS lists native material on 655 of 699 surfaced segments (94%).

On the USFS difficulty rating, advanced is the most common designation here — 562 of 700 rated segments (80%) — across all uses, not bikes alone.

USFS records a year-round bike season for this forest, though 3 different season windows still appear on individual segments at higher elevation.

The longest single named bike segment in the data is South Mills River at 14.16 mi on native dirt, rated advanced by USFS and open Year-round.

Class 1 e-bikes are designated on 43 segments (76.1 mi), and 14 segments carry an ADA-accessibility flag in the same dataset.

Trail surface

Native Material655
Asphalt18
Imported Compacted Material10
Crushed Aggregate Or Gravel5
Water5

USFS trail class (1 = primitive · 5 = developed)

Class 3456
Class 2188
Class 425
Class 117
Class 514

21% of this forest's mapped trail is bike-designated. Note: USFS records trail grade (steepness), not technical MTB difficulty — we surface grade where present but do not infer a black/blue/green rating from it.

Largest bike-designated trails

Trail	Miles	Surface	Trail class	Bike season
South Mills RiverNative MaterialYear-round	14.16	Native Material	—	Year-round
Wilson RidgeNative MaterialYear-round	12.22	Native Material	—	Year-round
Tsali Right LoopNative MaterialYear-round	10.76	Native Material	—	Year-round
Woods MountainNative MaterialYear-round	9.99	Native Material	—	Year-round
Tsali Left LoopNative MaterialYear-round	9.14	Native Material	—	Year-round
Wayehutta LoopNative Material	8.93	Native Material	—	—
Black MountainNative MaterialYear-round	8.44	Native Material	—	Year-round
Squirrel GapNative MaterialYear-round	7.94	Native Material	—	Year-round
Laurel MountainNative MaterialYear-round	6.99	Native Material	—	Year-round
Dave Thompson LoopNative MaterialYear-round	6.73	Native Material	—	Year-round
KeyauweeNative MaterialYear-round	6.44	Native Material	—	Year-round
Buckhorn GapNative MaterialYear-round	6.33	Native Material	—	Year-round
Mouse Branch LoopNative MaterialYear-round	6.3	Native Material	—	Year-round
Yancey RidgeNative MaterialYear-round	6.17	Native Material	—	Year-round
Powerline RoadNative MaterialYear-round	5.99	Native Material	—	Year-round
Brown Mountain 2Native Material	5.64	Native Material	—	—
Turkey Pen GapNative MaterialYear-round	5.37	Native Material	—	Year-round
Pink Beds LoopNative MaterialJan–Apr, Oct–Dec	5.14	Native Material	—	Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec
Bradley CreekNative MaterialYear-round	5.09	Native Material	—	Year-round
North BoundaryNative MaterialYear-round	4.89	Native Material	—	Year-round
Brown Mountain 9Native Material	4.88	Native Material	—	—
Brown Mountain 1aNative MaterialApr–Dec	4.88	Native Material	—	Apr–Dec
Spencer GapNative MaterialYear-round	4.8	Native Material	—	Year-round
Brown Mountain 1Native MaterialApr–Dec	4.79	Native Material	—	Apr–Dec
Big CreekNative MaterialYear-round	4.73	Native Material	—	Year-round

Every trail in National Forests in North Carolina

All 193 ridable trails in this forest — every trail where USFS data designates mountain-bike or Class 1 e-bike use, grouped by grade-based steepness. Grade reflects slope, not technical difficulty. Each trail links to its full data profile.

Easy grade (24)

Gentle grade band (shallow average slope).

Black Swamp Ohv3.9 mi
Imported Compacted Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Flat Laurel Creek3.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Laurel River3.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
River Trail3.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Central Loop3.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sneaking Creek2.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Beech Swamp2.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Loblolly Loop1.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Yotee'S Run1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Gateway1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Upper Ridge1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Loblolly1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Deer Lake Lodge1.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bracken Mountain Trail1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Nantahala River Bike Trail1.2 mi
Native Material, class 5bike
High Point1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Burnt Tree Peninsula1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Flanners Beach Campgound Loop0.8 mi
Asphalt, class 5bike
Foundation0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Tanager Trail0.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Ledford Branch0.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Estatoe0.5 mi
Imported Compacted Material, class 4bike
Saba Beach0.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Beady0.5 mi
Imported Compacted Material, class 3bike

Intermediate grade (16)

Moderate grade band.

Keyauwee6.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Rabbit Ridge4.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Supertree Loop3.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Dickey Bell Ohv3.6 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Dutch John Ohv2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Falls Dam Ohv2 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Rocky Mountain Ohv1.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Daniel Ohv1.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Lakeview Ohv1.7 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Gem1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Catawba View1.4 mi
Unknown, class 3bike
Slab Pile Ohv1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Wolf Den Ohv1 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Church Cove Connector1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sawmill Ohv0.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Home Trail Extension0.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike

Advanced grade (153)

Steep grade band.

South Mills River14.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Wilson Ridge12.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Tsali Right Loop10.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Woods Mountain10 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Tsali Left Loop9.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Wayehutta Loop8.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Black Mountain8.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Squirrel Gap7.9 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Laurel Mountain7 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Dave Thompson Loop6.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Buckhorn Gap6.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Mouse Branch Loop6.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Yancey Ridge6.2 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Powerline Road6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 25.6 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Turkey Pen Gap5.4 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Pink Beds Loop5.1 mi
Native Material, class 3, Jan–Apr, Oct–Decbike
Bradley Creek5.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
North Boundary4.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 94.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Brown Mountain 1a4.9 mi
Native Material, class 3, Apr–Decbike + e-bike
Spencer Gap4.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 14.8 mi
Native Material, class 3, Apr–Decbike + e-bike
Big Creek4.7 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Cat Gap Loop4.6 mi
Native Material, class 3, Jan–Apr, Oct–Decbike
Kitsuma4.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Farlow Gap4.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Trace Ridge4.5 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Slate Rock4.4 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
North Slope Loop4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Greentown3.9 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Mill Ridge3.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Heartbreak Ridge3.8 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Mac'S Gap3.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Point Lookout3.6 mi
Asphalt, class 4bike
Harris Creek Horse3.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Riverside3.4 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Graveyard Ridge3.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sycamore Cove3.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Avery Creek3.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Estes Mill3.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Pilot Rock3.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Explorer Loop3.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Panthertown Valley3.1 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Cantrell Creek3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Deep Cove3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bennett Gap2.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bernard Mountain2.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bee Cove2.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Fontana Loop2.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Butter Gap2.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Star Gap2.7 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Long Branch2.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Holly Springs2.6 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Brown Mountain 1b2.6 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Lower Sidehill2.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Fletcher Creek2.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Cove Creek2.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Camp Rock2.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Daniel Ridge2.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Buck Knob2.3 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Woodruff Ridge2.3 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Vineyard Gap2.3 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Horse Cove Gap2.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Helen'S Loop2.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 32.2 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Wood Run Trail2.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Fraley Trail2.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Locust Gap2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Brown Mountain 72.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike + e-bike
Blackburn Trail2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Home Trail2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Pilot Cove2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 102.1 mi
Native Material, class 3, Apr–Decbike + e-bike
Mouse Branch Overlook2.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Black Rock2.1 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Todd Trail2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Greens Lick2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Stony Knob2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Windy Gap Loop1.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Buttermilk Trail1.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Turkey Knob1.9 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Ingles Field Gap1.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bates Trail1.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Josh Trail1.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Megan Trail1.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Morgan Trail1.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Glass Rock1.7 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Walker Creek1.7 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Tony Trail1.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Laurel Creek1.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
North Mills River1.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Rattlesnake Knob1.6 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Burl Tree Way1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Ramsey Bend North1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Robbins Trail1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Pinetree Loop1.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Caney Bottom1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Buckwheat Knob1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 51.5 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Searcy Creek Connector1.5 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Devils Elbow1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Lower Heartbreak Ridge1.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
North Road1.5 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Mullinax1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Bear Pen1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Larry'S Link1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sawmill Bottoms1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Greg'S Loop1.4 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Deep Gap1.4 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Case Camp Ridge1.4 mi
Native Material, class 2, Jan–Apr, Oct–Decbike
Great Wall1.3 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Sunset Connector1.3 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Hemlock Ridge1.3 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Lake Trail1.3 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Middle Fork1.3 mi
Native Material, class 2bike
Ramsey Bend Connector1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Ramsey Bend South1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 41.2 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Wolf Branch1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Coon Tree Loop1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3, Jan–Apr, Oct–Decbike
Bear Branch1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Leslie Trail1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Perkins1.2 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Deerfield Loop1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Foster Creek1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Indian Trail1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Staire Creek1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Big Rock Loop1.1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Upper Corner Rock1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Riding Ford1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Farmer Top Overlook1 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Pink Beds Connector0.9 mi
Native Material, class 3, Jan–Apr, Oct–Decbike
Sidehill0.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sunset Ridge0.9 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Ramsey Bend South A0.9 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 80.8 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Black Mountain0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Club Gap0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Wash Creek0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Hardtimes Connector0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Sleepy Gap0.8 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Brown Mountain 60.8 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Homestead0.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Boyd Branch0.7 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Upper Wayehutta Creek0.6 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Blanton Branch0.6 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike
Briar Bottom Bike0.6 mi
Imported Loose Material, class 4bike
Oak Hollow0.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Little Andy0.6 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Tsali Right Loop 2nd Connector0.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Berner Trail0.5 mi
Native Material, class 3bike
Parker Knob Connector0.5 mi
Native Material, class 3Class 1 e-bike

CSV

National Forests in North Carolina bike-legal trail list (CSV)

Download all 193 bike- and Class 1 e-bike-designated trails in National Forests in North Carolina — name, miles, surface, grade, season, and e-bike class per trail, straight from USFS data.

E-bikes in National Forests in North Carolina

Class 1 on 43 segments · Class 2 on 43 · Class 3 on 43. See full e-bike rules for National Forests in North Carolina →

Where it is

Approximate center of National Forests in North Carolina. USFS trail geometry isn't mapped here — use the ranger district for trailheads.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bike access grade for National Forests in North Carolina?: National Forests in North Carolina earns a Bike Access Grade of A: 88% of its rideable trail miles are open to mountain bikes, with Class-1 e-bike access on part of the network. Excellent — most rideable trail miles are open to mountain bikes, with Class-1 e-bike access too.
How many miles of mountain bike trail are in National Forests in North Carolina?: National Forests in North Carolina has about 445 mi of bike-designated trail across 207 segments, out of 2,074 mi of total National Forest System trail.
What is the riding season in National Forests in North Carolina?: Most bike-designated trails in National Forests in North Carolina carry a Year-round season in USFS data; higher-elevation trails clear later.
Are e-bikes allowed in National Forests in North Carolina?: Only where designated. Class 1 e-bikes are recorded on 43 segments. See the e-bike rules page for the class-by-class breakdown.

Where to stay near National Forests in North Carolina

Cabins, lodges, and campgrounds near National Forests in North Carolina in North Carolina — compare places to stay for a mountain-bike trip.

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