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Salem Lake Mountain Bike Trail
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:    |
18 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 1/11/12 by akgreer |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 11 miles | Global Rank: #1394 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 87 | Wishlist: 23 |
| Avg. Speed: 3.49 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 35min |
 1 trail check-ins |
Directions:
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Description: You can either ride the dirt trails around Salem Lake or risk a $25 fine to ride the single track within the woods. The single track is officially closed to bikes, but the fine scares of few. Riding around the lake is good warm-up. On the south side of the lake, plenty of single track veer to the side of the dirt trails. Amidst the single track there is a huge gully with a 10-15 ft drop-off. It took me a while to build up the courage to take the plunge. My buds warned me not squeeze the front brakes or I'd be doing head over heel sommersalts all the way down. I inched my way to the edge, swallowed that lump in my throat, took a deep breath, closed my eyes and told myself it was something I just had to do. Then, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh..... wooooooooohooooooo! I did it. My boyfriend, Jeff, always tells me to try at least one new thing each time I ride. The only thing I have to add to that is to try that new thing as many times as you can before the adrenaline rush is over!
Description: You can either ride the dirt trails around Salem Lake or risk a $25 fine to ride the single track within the woods. The single track is officially closed to bikes, but the fine scares of few. Riding around the lake is good warm-up. On the south side of the lake, plenty of single track veer to the side of the dirt trails. Amidst the single track there is a huge gully with a 10-15 ft drop-off. It took me a while to build up the courage to take the plunge. My buds warned me not squeeze the front brakes or I'd be doing head over heel sommersalts all the way down. I inched my way to the edge, swallowed that lump in my throat, took a deep breath, closed my eyes and told myself it was something I just had to do. Then, aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh..... wooooooooohooooooo! I did it. My boyfriend, Jeff, always tells me to try at least one new thing each time I ride. The only thing I have to add to that is to try that new thing as many times as you can before the adrenaline rush is over!
added in 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Hobby Park in Winston-Salem
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by whitepine on June 10, 2011
I have been to Salem Lake's singletracks 2 times now, and I am addicted to the place! First off, the greenway is really fun in areas and don't pass it off. Once I went downtown taking the Salem Creek greenway and the Old Salem strollway after MTBing and ate at the Mellow Mushroom so that was definately a plus! Now on to the really cool stuff! I have been on the sections close to Linville Road and there are the 2 BMX like areas, but it is really fun to go on the trails too. Lots and lots of elevation variations and the trail gets to be pretty tight in places, but I would reccomend this to anybody with a good quality bike that isn't afraid to take a few risks or minor falls.
reviewed by RidingPastor on February 12, 2011
Okay I went and spent more time on the trails in the woods. (shh, don't tell the authorities) I walked around a lot of stuff since I was by myself and did not want go to the hospital. It is pretty technical and with large obstacles. I did not really like it because it did not flow very well and I could not figure out where I was and where I was going.
reviewed by RidingPastor on January 27, 2010
Rode around the lake last monday night. I saw on the news that the trail was closed. You could not make a full loop. the water at the dam was 1 foot to almost 2 feet above normal. Did not ride the single track!
reviewed by RidingPastor on August 24, 2009
rode this tonight. It is very technical and rooty. Good trail it is just the roots are really bad.
reviewed by slash on February 8, 2009
Just wanted to give an update on this trails status. Obviously with the recent snow it was a little muddy and damp, thats to be expected. And as it was mentioned before about the singletrack not being open?! and a $25 fine if you were caught?! If this is true I don't see how anyone could even attempt to fine you since there are no signs stating anything of the sort. The main trail was pretty normal, good ride. As for the more challenging\crazy drop offs, wall rides and the log ride into a seesaw.. for those of you that can pull these all , major props! I just thought it was nutz looking at some of this stuff.. but there are lots of log rides and nice dirt ramps and rock drops that are managable even for the novice.. If you haven't been its worth checking out, I enjoy it.
Similar Trail: northwood
reviewed by Deadlink404 on June 25, 2008
The main trail is so boring, i used to ride that all te time before with my mom until i got my new bike. i heard about some trails in the woods so i went out one do in search and found some gnarly stuff out there, 15 foot ladder bridge, gullies some dirt jumps and by this one spot out in the middle of the trail is a new dirt jumping section out there. i met the guys that work on the trail they are pretty sick at what they do.
Similar Trail: uwharrie
reviewed by gt2008 on March 25, 2008
Off of the main trail going around the lake, there is another road that can take you all the way back to Old Salem. It's something like 7 or 8 miles one way. It's pretty much all fairly flat with a few mild climbs, but at least it's paved. I still think the single track back in the woods is awesone. about 3/4 of it is about my skill level. does anyone know of any other trails that are very similar to this (single track) that are sort of nearby? I don't know of too many b/c i haven't been seriously riding quite that long, but i want to do more. Oh yeah, parking is sometimes kind of tight there at the edge of the lake by linville road. I usually take a road (forgot the name) that is right there by the stoplight across from the gas station. just take that road all the way back until you get to the gate. then ride down the gravel (on bike of course) and it ends up at the bridge that goes across part of the lake.
reviewed by gt2008 on March 24, 2008
the two lane is booooring but good scenery. I personally like the single track back through the woods. i can't take all of the big stuff, but i really like what they call "cannon run". i just want to see someone take that 20 foot drop off into the quarter pipe
* Review edited 3/24/2008
reviewed by Stamps on February 12, 2008
This trail, regardless of its "illegal status", is a fantastic all mountail/freeride experience. My hats off to the trail builders here who have created the only true freeriding experience that I've seen in the NC Triad area. Quite a few gulleys make for some whoop tee doos, huge launches and drops, and some nice table tops. To access get off at the Linville Rd. exit on Business 85. Head down near the lake and find a parking space. Locate the double track trail that circumnavigates the lake and look for trails running off to the side. Spend some time exploring the area as there are numerous areas to play around on....Be sure to check out both sides of the power lines. One side is more tame singletrack while the other side (closer to Linville Rd.) is where the majority of the freeriding can be found. Very cool!
Similar Trail: not much else in the triad area- might try a combo of the jump park at Battleground Park in Greensboro tied in with the Owl's Roost Trail.
reviewed by trainboy17 on December 2, 2007
by the way, i am not talking about the lake trail. you have to go past lineville road and the trail is on your right (while you are on the lake trail is where you enter). dont miss it.!!!
Similar Trail: tanglewood- execpt it has tech stuff
reviewed by trainboy17 on December 2, 2007
Holy Cow!!! This trail is sick. Past Lineville road is the single track course. I went there and turned left (I did not see the other way). Some how, my dad and I went real far back to this really technical section. First, the entire trail is great. second, at the technical section there was a fifteen foot table (high) that dropped into a dirt quarter pipe. Continuing on, there is a verticle wall ride section at a curve, and last there is a huge step up ramp. There are other jumps around this site as well, all very large. NOT FOR BEGINNERS!!! There is a trail for people not as experienced that goes around. This is just 1 path, there are tons of variations and who knows what is out there. I took some pics on my cell phone, ill try to get them up.
Similar Trail: Tanglewood, minus the technical boards and 2x4 bridges.
reviewed by RICHARD.N.SNYDER on September 16, 2007
The trail around the lake is not for the hard core Mountain Biker. Not exciting at all. Scenery is ok
* Review edited 9/16/2007
reviewed by trek_fuel_8 on July 6, 2007
This trail is built for beginners. There are no technical challenges to speak of. Is it just wide doubletrack cruising. Beginners can go at just about any pace and make it with ease or Advanced riders can smoke it in about 30 minutes, its that easy. The view is a very redeeming quality in this trail as it snakes along Salem Lake for the entire distance of the trail.
reviewed by huffy_rider on October 10, 2005
Salem lake trail is a great trail but I dont know of any single track trails around the lake. It is just a dirt road that circles the lake. Signs are posted saying to stay off of the trails that fork off of the road. I dont ride of those because many signs say to stay on main trail. I ride around the lake about 3 times a week on my sweet twelve speed.
reviewed by yellowXtrek on July 10, 2005
This trail should be split into two catagories. One being the hardpack double track around salem lake and the second the illegal single track in the woods. The path around the lake is smooth with little hills built for everyone. The singletrack in the woods is a freeriders delight. Lots of obsticles and big jumps. This trail is highly technical. The gulleys are fun with some steep walls to get some nice air. I would not suggest the singletrack in the woods if you are looking for fast riding.
reviewed by Blur-Girl on June 22, 2005
The double track around the lake is a great place to go and get some mileage in. Several laps around the lake is a nice workout. Suitable for any level rider. The singletrack has some radical parts to it but most of the trails are doable for the intermediate rider. With other legal singletack options close by, I prefer to stay on the the double track.
reviewed by TREKnMTNS on November 6, 2004
This trail can be very challenging. A ton of log climbing, man made jumps and ladder bridges (rickety thou)..great for freeriding and cross country. Some of the more challenging drop ins can be a gut j***y also, but to ide it for the first time today, it was a fun 11 miles.
Similar Trail: Beech Springs Mountain Bike Park, Fisher River
reviewed by smilie on April 11, 2004
very great trails lots of obsticles to play on. very creative builders, find new things every time you ride
Similar Trail: dark mountain,
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