Review Date
June 21, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jwestmartin ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I'll take my mountain bike to the beach from now on... Great trail!! Well maintained. A little bit of sand in places, but some great jumps.

Recommended Route:
Counterclockwise - Red Trail

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Oak Mountain, Lake Lurleen and Swayback Bridge

Review Date
January 27, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: wirecommando ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
First off, you can ignore any reviews of this trail from before 2004. Hurricane Ivan blew through and screwed most of Pensacola, including the trails. Since then, PORC has done an amazing job of getting the trails back on-line, organizing events, trail markings, maps, etc.

Trails are easy to follow (Wantz Way/Valley trails can get a little tricky). Two sets of power lines make great landmarks. Trails flow nicely, clearly marked, and maintained really well. It's a good mix of technical, long gradual climbs, fast downhill sections, and a few jumps here and there.

Trails are non-directional, but the usual route is taking a right from the Pate Rd. trailhead. On a quiet day, ride the other direction for a completely different ride (maybe even more fun). Because of the sandy soil, the trail is dry hours after a heavy storm.

I recently moved out of Pensacola, but I was part of a group that rode 2-3 times a week. The trails never got old...because of the configuration, you can link different tails together, ride different directions, etc.

Recommended Route:
The 10 Mile main loop is a blast. Love the downhill areas of the Chute and the challenge of getting up The Gorge (parallel trails between the two sets of power lines).
Not a big fan of the trails near the power plant...too rooted and technical for me, but others might love it.
The new loop one other side of Pate was becoming a favorite of mine before I left.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
None, but heard Chickasabogue (Mobile) isn't too bad.

Review Date
January 9, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Brakebreaker101 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I love these trails. I ride here all the time and havent had time yet

Recommended Route:
Anything that uses the chute trail

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Trails behind Pensacola Airport

Review Date
April 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: pmach ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
When you think of Florida you think of flat & sandy trails that lead to the beach. While we don't have the elevation of many other states this particular trail system is pretty darn fun. Expect lots of sigletrack with technical parts mixed in and (for Florida) some decent elevation that makes for a good work out. The Pensacola Off-Road Cyclists maintain the trails and have been working hard to keep them in good shape.

Recommended Route:
Main loop is about 9.5 miles. Short loop is 4.5 miles. An additional 4 miles (and growing) on the Hangman Loop across Pate Road. Visit www.porc.org for maps, group rides, and post to the forum for more info from locals about the trails.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Oak Mountain by Birmingham, Alabama & Swayback by Montgomery, Alabama.

Review Date
September 28, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: nrsed ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
just thought I'd update: These trails are still excellent for what we have to work with. They do change over time or hurricanes but PORC works hard to keep them up and fun. They are about 90% singletrack always climbing or descending and if you go fast you have very little rest time. If you don't think they are fun or challanging your not going fast enough.

Recommended Route:
maps at PORC.org. the bridge from the university side is no more so best bet is parking at the pate road trail head. There are trail blazes to show the regular long (8-9) mile loop and the short (4.5-5) mile loop. there are more so explore.