USFS National Forest System Trails · North Carolina · Updated June 2026
National Forests in North Carolina Mountain Bike Trails
National Forests in North Carolina carries 2,074 mi of mapped National Forest System trail, of which 431 mi across 219 segments is designated for mountain bikes, typically open Year-round. Class 1 e-bikes are designated on 48 segments (76.1 mi).
431 mi
Bike-designated
219 segments
2,074 mi
Total NFS trail
700 segments
76.1 mi
Class 1 e-bike
48 segments
14
ADA-accessible
trail segments
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 River | 14.16 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Tsali Right Loop | 10.76 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Tsali Left Loop | 9.14 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Woods Mountain | 7.11 | Native Material | 2 | Year-round |
| Dave Thompson Loop | 6.73 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Powerline Road | 5.99 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 9 | 4.88 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Trace Ridge | 4.5 | Native Material | 2 | Year-round |
| Kitsuma | 4.1 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Greentown | 3.85 | Native Material | 2 | Year-round |
| Mac'S Gap | 3.6 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Laurel River | 3.59 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Point Lookout | 3.57 | Asphalt | 4 | Year-round |
| Harris Creek Horse | 3.45 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 1 | 3.31 | Native Material | 3 | Apr–Dec |
| Dickey Bell Ohv | 2.99 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Star Gap | 2.68 | Native Material | 2 | Year-round |
| Pink Beds Loop | 2.47 | Native Material | 3 | Jan–Apr, Oct–Dec |
| Horse Cove Gap | 2.24 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Wood Run Trail | 2.2 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 7 | 2.11 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Brown Mountain 10 | 2.08 | Native Material | 3 | Apr–Dec |
| Falls Dam Ohv | 1.98 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Cantrell Creek | 1.96 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
| Rocky Mountain Ohv | 1.93 | Native Material | 3 | Year-round |
E-bikes in National Forests in North Carolina
Class 1 on 48 segments · Class 2 on 48 · Class 3 on 48. See full e-bike rules for National Forests in North Carolina →
Frequently asked questions
- How many miles of mountain bike trail are in National Forests in North Carolina?
- National Forests in North Carolina has about 431 mi of bike-designated trail across 219 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 48 segments. See the e-bike rules page for the class-by-class breakdown.