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Hanging Dog Mountain Bike Trail
Murphy, North Carolina
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
12 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 2/3/12 by schwim |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 8 miles | Global Rank: #1550 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 21 | Wishlist: 18 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.72 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 28min |
 1 trail check-ins |
Directions:
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Description: These are relatively new trails,they were old logging roads years ago. A couple of short steep climbs at the beginning and some technical stuff at the top of one climb. Trails are easy to follow but putting a good loop together can be difficult until you have ridden it a couple of times. A fast racer should do it in 40-50 min., recreational rider about 1:20-1:30
added in 2003 by guest
Description: These are relatively new trails,they were old logging roads years ago. A couple of short steep climbs at the beginning and some technical stuff at the top of one climb. Trails are easy to follow but putting a good loop together can be difficult until you have ridden it a couple of times. A fast racer should do it in 40-50 min., recreational rider about 1:20-1:30
added in 2003 by guest 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Jack Rabbit Trails in Hayesville
Tsali Recreation Area in Bryson City
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by schwim on January 15, 2012
A fantastic circuit of just under 10 miles if you ride it all, Hanging Dog offers challenging climbs and some exciting descents. The circuit is almost completely covered by a bed of pine needles and leaves, which make this circuit a great option for riding during wet weather as the trail is protected from rutting and there's little to no standing water.
Similar Trail: Brush Creek
reviewed by RJen on September 12, 2011
This is a good ride if you're not expecting a flowing "groomed" trail and don't mind some tree litter. I found a campground host on site that had trail maps, but you could possibly get one at the USFS office in Murfey.
* Review edited 9/12/2011
Similar Trail: Chilhowee, Brush Creek
reviewed by lslick23 on August 21, 2011
This was a good trail that someone is maintaining that hopefully more people will ride to get it broken in more. Their are signs with where to park and a bike on it and I had no problem printing a trail map from online. I will hit this again one day.
reviewed by mtbgreg1 on August 14, 2011
A map out here would have been very helpful. There was no big sign posted at the trailhead, and no small maps for use while out on the trail. The first couple of trails before you reach the gravel road on the ridge are in great shape and are a blast to ride, but the trails on the other side just don't get enough attention and traffic. There were several downed trees, tons of downed sticks, and some of the trails just aren't built with mountain bikes in mind.... we did a lot of hike-a-bike. I'm not going to be back.
reviewed by MrsPizza on August 9, 2011
Did this trail for the first time after a heavy rain so there were some branches on the trails but no major obstacles. Did find the trails a little dark,at times, but after all, it is located in a forest. Locals are working on maintenence and signage and had no need for gps. We followed the map from the local bike shop. Took the old boat launch gravel road back.
* Review edited 8/9/2011
Similar Trail: Tsali
reviewed by mitchman1982 on October 24, 2010
Most trails suffer from over use and high traffice, this trail suffers from not enough traffic. The trails are excellent, but it needs more traffice from mountain bikers to pack them down to hard fast rolling greatness, currently they are pine needle which is like riding on a sponge. I highly recommend anyone near this area paying their dues and riding this whenever possible to make it a great one, I guess Tsali gets all the love, but when we erode that to death, I think people will start to look here for a good time. and PS... it appears that most of the down trees were cleared, I dont remember but a couple for the 10 miles we rode.
* Review edited 10/24/2010
Similar Trail: tsali, jackrabbit, raccoon mtn
reviewed by ga-otter on June 16, 2009
These trails need some serious TLC & were so overgrown with briars & Poison Ivy that it wasn't very fun. While Hanging Dog has the potential to have some great single track, it's obvious that it's trail recieve no maintenance. More often than not, the trails were completely over grown. At least one of the trails was totally impassable. It's a good thing that I don't get Poison Ivy or my legs would be covered. I biked every trail out there and just got frustrated. I almost blew off the last one, South Ramsey Bluff, but since it looked clear I biked it. While very short, it was pretty sweet, clear, & shows the potential of this trail system. Too bad that less than 2 miles of this trails system is rideable. The infrastructure is there for this to be a great trail system. It's a beautiful spot with well marked trails cut in. It just needs big time TLC & then some promotion so that people ride it. I was the only Mtn. Biker there on a summer Sunday.
Similar Trail: Tanasi Trails at Ocoee Whitewater Center
reviewed by swiftchicken on June 1, 2009
I have been riding hanging dog (regularly) four years now. I always have a great ride. Most of the overgrowth occurs in one section within the first half mile and can be avoided by going straight up ramsey bluff dirt road if you wish. The trail has recently received some TLC and it should not be a problem. Over the last four years I have encountered only one other rider on the trail. Come ride it, you won't be disappointed.
reviewed by appalachian_outfitters on March 21, 2009
The trails are in fantastic shape. We have been riding the trails weekly this winter. The Forest Service has cut all the fallen trees this past Feburary. Hanging Dog in my opinion is a fantistic trail system, the trail has plenty of climbing and downhill sections. I always use this trail for an excellent training and spinning. Enjoy your ride!
reviewed by Rockinr on November 14, 2008
Don't Waste your time. These trails are not being maintained. Briars grown over trail at least 10 trees down in the first mile. I got discusted and left after about a mile and a half of this c***py trail. It could be a very good trail system if it had some maintenance.
reviewed by trek7k on May 25, 2006
I assumed these trails would be fairly flat since they are located on the shores of Lake Hiawassee but we quickly found the trails offer some pretty significant climbing. The loops can be a bit confusing but we eventually started to understand by consulting the free map we picked up at the Murphy visitors center.
Similar Trail: Fontana village.
reviewed by mudhunny on May 25, 2006
100% singletrack fun! Overgrowth is starting to creep onto some of the trails and there are a couple of recently down trees, but the trails are mostly rideable and not technical. A few sustained climbs, but worth it for all the smooth downhill. Lots of lush plantings (including poison ivy, so watch out) and we even saw a wild turkey!
Similar Trail: Explore Park
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