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German Ridge
5 reviews
3.6 of 5
Good single track on the north end. Aerobic level easy to moderate. Much of the trail has been widened to accomodate horses. A few diificult trails. Watch for horses on south end. Contact richries@@hsonline.net for more info.
About 20 miles east of Tell City In southern Perry county. SR 66 east from Tell City, thru Cannellton, then watch for Forest Service signs to the campground. Cntinue north on German Ridge Rd for 3.2 miles parking on your left. Or south on SR 37, east on SR 70. In less than a mile turn right where the big "German Ridge Rec Area" sign at the T turn right (Gerald Rd) Watch for German Ridge RD on your left turn there and parking is .9 miles south.
Summary: Condition wise, this trail was pretty outstanding. Even after a pretty good rain for this area, the day before, the trails were all dry. It's a mixture of hardpack and also hardpack/gravel. Some double track, but mostly just wide which I don't mind at all. The forest service uses quads to maintain the trail and need the width so if it was all singletrack you can bet this place would be closed right now after a major ice storm. So I'm all for a little wider trail if it means being cleared, dry and staying open for use.
It's multi-use, but on an awesome 75 degree summer day where we normally have 90's around here, we still only saw 6 horse riders on the trail and all of them were great people. I'm guessing the hype about this place getting overrun with horse use is a bit much.
Hills, hills and more hills. This place is nothing but up and down 90% of the time. Rarely was there any long sustained flat runs. I actually had a beginner rider with me and felt bad that I chose this area. We both had to walk all of the sustained steep climbs. Unless you are in great hardcore shape, you won't be riding up these. using the loops for shorter runs is a wise choice. Relocate the vehicle for each loop. I don't know the origin of these trails, but clearly mountain biking was an afterthought.
Recommended Route: Only been once, wouldn't know the best route. I do know that unless your in great hardcore shape, figure on making shorter loops back to vehicle and relocate as necessary. I do have another suggestion. There is a 0.9 mile connector trail right in the middle. I would recommend, without any doubt, to ride it only east to west. Start at the parking lot and take the 0.9 down. This connector was horrible large rock and I can't imagine anyone riding up it, but there is enough space on each side to ride down it. Use this trail as a start for two possible loops so you don't have to end on it and have to walk up it.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Tipsaw Lake trail is absolutely top notch in my book. For a great days ride, you simply cannot go wrong with this choice. It's a total of 6 or so miles, but there is one tough hills section east of the parking lot that you can bypass after coming out on the road for a shorter easier run of about 4.5 miles. If you require more riding, just turn around and ride it backwards for another 4.5 or 6 miles. Everything rides different the other way around.
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Review Date April 17, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Lalaina Notmyname
, from Bristow
Summary: This place rocks! Not only is it frun to ride at but, it's spooky like because it's haunted by witches which friggin' kicks major bootyyyy!
Recommended Route: The cliffs are cool.
Other recommended trails in the same area: They'res grave stones or something written in German hence the name German Ridge, I guess. Anyways it's like haunted by 2 dead witches or so I've heard! Trust me, it's gotta be true cause the peeps at PCH says so! Commadores Rocka like a Hawka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Review Date April 17, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Mandi
, from Gatchel
Summary: It is very beautiful yet scary because of the witch thing at the same time!
Recommended Route: Out by the cliff but not too close.
Other recommended trails in the same area: I hear German Ridge is suppossed to be haunted by two witches who are buried at the ridge where the tombstones with German writing are.
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Review Date June 27, 2000
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
1 votes
Reviewed by: Lance Bruggeman
, from Greenwood, IN
Summary: This trail should not even be considered a mountain bike trail. It is more like a county road. In fact, the roads you take to drive to this trail would be more of a challenge. This trail is gravel. There are sewer pipes in the ditches and creeks. I would not recommend unless you are teaching a five year old to ride or the rain has made other trails in the area impassable. Leave this trail to the horses, literally.
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Review Date June 13, 2000
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Funboy
, from Indianapolis, IN
Summary: Trail ranges from easy fire roads to technical single track and good decents -- plenty of trail to fill a good day of riding and well marked by the forest service. The horses have really beaten the trail up at several spots, but the riding is good over all. To bad this trail isn't closer to civilization!
Recommended Route: Follow the directions above, you can't miss it, as the Forest Service has it well marked. Multiple parking areas, I suggest the north parts, as this is the best trail area.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Lots of great riding in the area. See the US Forest Service home page (for the Hoosier National) for all the trails in the area open to mountain biking.
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