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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	22 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 5/28/10 by aabiking Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 6 miles	Global Rank: #193
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Network
Ridden: 103	Wishlist: 74
Avg. Speed: 6.77 mph	Avg. Time: 2hr 32min

 

Tsali Left Loop in Bryson City

 

Wild Turkey in Greensboro

 

Overmountain Victory Trail (Kerr Scott Reservoir) in Wilkesboro

 

Tsali Right Loop in Bryson City

 

  
reviewed by Bigal75 on June 8, 2010

Great system of trails. rough Jeep trail provides access to the other trails. great variety to choose from. Stunts, jumps, more moderate trails and some rocky advanced switchbacks- its all here. #6 is a great downhill with avoidable obastacles. None of the trails are terribly long, but its a great run any way you choose, and a beautiful area. Not to be missed.

Similar Trail: OVT trail is right nearby, not really similar, but a nice smooth roller coaster singletrack - and adds to the options.

  
reviewed by souldagger on April 11, 2010

These trails are well marked and maintained. Stop at the Visitor Center before crossing the dam to get a free, detailed trail map. These are some of the best designed an wickedly fun trails I've ridden. There are 8 sweet singletracks and the core jeep trail accesible from the Dark Mountain parking area. There is something here for every one, although longer travel DH and FR bikes will have a pretty tough time with the climbs. There are some fast sections, some technical, some climbs; the bermed turns are awesome! I drive 45 minutes each way twice a week to ride here. Great job on these trails!

Similar Trail: OVT; Warrior Creek; LNSP

  
reviewed by EffortlessMTNB on March 20, 2010

Very tough for new riders. The majority of it is an uphill battle, but it's a fun challenge, I'm definitely going back.

  
reviewed by kyleht287 on April 23, 2009

Dark Mountain is a fantastic network of trails, with great climbs, banked turns, roller coaster downhills, and a bit of technical challenge to keep it interesting. Follow the blue arrows for a challenging 7.5 mile loop. This is the route used in the 24 hour Burn Race. Awesome!

Similar Trail: Hobby Park

  
reviewed by zack88sipper on January 18, 2009

I just rode dark mountain and the OVT trails today. And all I can say is this trails are sweet. I would deffintly start out on #1 and then turn off onto #2. I loved it so much I did them twice once each way. Then # 8 is Just all down hill to the bottom of the dam. OVT were really good trails to but I didnt enjoy them as much probably cause I was wore out from dark mountain. Best trails Ive ever rode!!!

Similar Trail: Hobby Park.

  
reviewed by trailsurfer on July 27, 2008

This trail just keeps getting better!! I travel to Wilkes a couple of times a year to ride Dark Mountain and OVT. The BMCC just keeps making these trails better. There have been several re-routes and slight changes made at Dark Mountain since I last rode in the fall of 2007, and all were GREAT!! The downhill course is such a rush!

  
reviewed by plantme777 on April 11, 2008

Very well designed trail with many fast flowing roller coaster type downhills and stepped uphills. Great drainage, great variety, something for everyone. The downhill/super D course is a very welcome option if you want a break from the cross country stuff. My favorite trail is the first right immediately at the top of the jeep trail climb. It descends to the creek and bridge below, and will provide you with that goofy open mouth kind of smile as you descend the exceptional undulating mountainside singletrack. You do have to climb back out, but that is perfect for waking up the legs in preparation for the rest of the riding feast that is Dark Mountain Trails.

Similar Trail: OVT is not similar, but should not be missed if you are at the dam.

  
reviewed by kolesal on March 24, 2008

Great trail system! Very well maintained and marked. Downhills are blast, climbs are demanding. All together an excellent experience!

Similar Trail: Overmountain Victory Trail, NC Hobby Park, NC Horizon Park, NC

  
reviewed by winegeek819 on February 22, 2008

Had a blast riding this, although riding with a hangover I was pretty gassed by the end of the day. My buddy enticed me to come out by describing it as "like a rollercoaster", and it lived up to the description-- fantastic banked turns, not too technical, and some really fast spots. Looking forward to hitting it again this spring in better shape!

Similar Trail: haven't ridden anything like it around here, but would certainly love to!

  
reviewed by Stamps on February 10, 2008

Dark Mountain is an exceptional trail network in the foothills of NW North Carolina. With easy access from Charlotte, Boone and the Greensboro, the network is possible for day trips. The network is well marked and very well maintained with something for just about every flavor of riding…ie Freeride, All Mountain and Cross Country. The Brushy Mountain Cycling Club who created and continuously maintains this area should be praised for the well thought out sustainable trail system. Great up hill burners, flowing singletrack and one exceptionally well done downhill section with multiple high berms, tabletops offers a day of epic riding for Piedmont MTBikers out there. There’s even a North Shore type teeter that’s set up near the top (I hope they put more of this type of riding up soon!) If you get the opportunity, try hooking up with some locals at the trail head. Bob and Scotty, two local hard core cross country riders, were kind enough to show my friend and I around. They were friendly and more than willing to provide advice and info about their backyard playground. However they did make us feel very out of shape on the warmup up the mountain! For anyone in the area who hasn’t experienced this place, do yourself a favor and catch a blue bird spring or fall day here. The trails while shorter overall have a quality and challenge rarely seen outside the Asheville MTB scene. You will have an epic day and will be planning your next trip on the way home…. I guarantee!

Similar Trail: Kitzuma, Black Mountain, Bent Creek, Owl's Roost (my backyard!)

  
reviewed by Reserverockhopper on December 29, 2007

Cowabunga! This is one to test you. They keep these trails in excellent shape year round! IT starts with a heart bursting climb up the mountain on a fire road that may require a hike a bike for many, me included at times. Options abound! One downhill switches back and forth as you get up to 25+ mph on a small bench cut trail ledge that has plenty of risk ready if you bail. But hell, that is what makes it great. On the back side, the Snake is a bear of a climb, then leads into a Rhondo tunnel and then onto the "downhill" course that will test the best riders. Caution here unless you know what you are doing. This and OVT are by far our favorite trails outside of Tsali. Every year they conduct the 24 Hour Burn race. Riders camp at the field at the bottom of Kerr Lake Resovior.

* Review edited 12/29/2007

Similar Trail: Tsali Left Loop, Mousebranch.

  
reviewed by cjk133 on November 2, 2007

They are indeed fun after work type of trails, esp in the winter since it's 10-15 warmer down wilkesboro compared to the highlands. Yet the entire system is confined and polished and can be ridden out in a stunningly short period of time, even with the out/back on overland victory thrown in. The nearest ridable backcountry would be mt rogers area or wilson creek vicinity...so it's all ya got near wilksboro, save some super long gravel treks up the escarpment. Thankfully these trails offer at least an option. Thank you brushy mtn club.

  
reviewed by aabiking on August 31, 2007

These trails have some of the best downhill section I have ridden. There are many man made jumps that I had to go back and run them a few times to get used to them. The uphill sections are long also but they lack in the tough climb that I like. I believe they have kept the grade considerably under 10%. Overall these are somegreat trails and I will be going back. I really need to get my friends down here.

Similar Trail: Anglers Ridge, Danville Virginia

  
reviewed by videl_majin_cold45 on March 21, 2007

What a great system of trails that the Brushy Mountain Cyclist Club have set up. Great long descents on loops #7 and#8, tough climbs on loop #5, this trail has it all. If the downhill course does not take your breath away, the scenery will.

Similar Trail: Itusi Trail@Lake Norman State Park

  
reviewed by JCaldwell704 on February 11, 2007

AWSOME RIDE, this was my first long trail, oh yea it was long, times i thought it would never end. lol very smooth, nothing technical. get there early in the morning, some areas can get dark pretty quick. take plenty of water, and a small snack. This is the longest ride i've rode soo far. it was tough cardio and leg wise for me. best trail for training i've found soo far.* Review edited 2/11/2007

* Review edited 3/7/2007

Similar Trail: white water park in charlotte

  
reviewed by blyman on January 14, 2007

This trail is great. The initial ride up to the top is tough for a newbie like me, but the long winding downhills and banking turns make it well worth it. This link has good info about the trail and a good map: http://www.bmcc.us/kerr_scott.htm I recommend bringing a printout of the trail map. The dam is on the eastern end of the reservoir, so if you time it so that you're done riding just before sunset, you can watch the sun set over the lake.

* Review edited 1/14/2007

  
reviewed by EZ-E on July 17, 2006

Great trail! Cross country trailhead on right closest to parking lot. Take a quick left about 100ft after the trailhead to get on the singletrack(straight is doubletrack). Trail is marked by round white blazes with the trail number on them. We did #1, 5, 6, 11 - made for a nice loop, total ascent for this combo averaged 750ft/lap. Good distribution of uphill/downhill. Challenging uphill switchbacks throughout. Downhills have some straightaways some jumps and berms with tight/twisty results. There is an out & back trail on the south side of the dam which begins from the Welcome Center(you'll see a yield sign with a bike). That south trail is about 5.5 miles one way(10-11mi total). Suggestion for post ride - take a swim to cool off: leave the trailhead over the dam, return to intersection with Hwy 268, turn R (west), drive 1-2mi til you see "Berry Mountain Park" entrance on right. Admission is about $2, sand beach swimming area on reservoir, picnic areas, restrooms, camping, etc. This trail makes for a GREAT daytrip!

Similar Trail: Catawba, Kitsuma, Tsali

  
reviewed by leadbutt on September 26, 2005

This weekend was the second time I've visited the Dark Mtn. Trail. It's great everytime I go. The trail is always maintained neatly and anything they build is built to hold up. They've extended #9 to be completely singletrack (it did have a section of fire road to climb out of). Like someone else said, #1, #5 and #9 are the best and I made a point to ride all of them backwards and forwards this trip. It's worth all the effort!! Fast, fast downhills...nice switchbacks...humps that'll send you into the air...bermed curves that you can just rail through...

Similar Trail: has a little bit of everything - Hobby Park, Westwood, Tanglewood - all in one

  
reviewed by trek7k on July 9, 2005

Nice trail, pretty fast and well designed. My favorite trails were #9, #1, and #5 (prolly in that order). Couldn't find the "new" stuff on the other side of the dam, is this even open yet? Very fast trail but not too different from the flatland stuff we usually ride (minus the roots).

Similar Trail: Reminded me a bit of Fontana Village and Explore Park in VA.

  
reviewed by Blur-Girl on June 6, 2005

Excellent trail. Tough climb up the jeep trail right off the bat so you might want to warm up your legs a bit before lighting off. I recommend doing the main trail (enter via jeep trail) then do the newest section on the other side of the dam, then go back up the jeep trail and come down #1 again for a nice finish. Main trail has some good climbs with several tight switchbacks, but nice downhills as a reward. There are 11 sections each clearly marked with their own number. #5 can be tough if it's a little wet because of the red dirt:) The newest section is an out and back, about 8 miles round trip. Fun and fast. You can tell that this trail is well maintained. Beautiful park, very nice visitor center with maps and bathrooms.

  
reviewed by cwaldron on March 10, 2005

Excellent Trail. A few down trees but otherwise well maintained. Loops 5, 9, and 1 were spectacular. Enough loops and trails to keep you busy for hours.

Similar Trail: Hobby Park

  
reviewed by smilie on April 11, 2004

very fun all day ride, many different trails to choose from.

Similar Trail: tanglewood salem lake

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