Review Date
June 2, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: chrismac ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
5-31-09
Three friends and I rode part of this trail on 5-31-09. We really enjoyed the trail, although we only rode the Brazil Creek to Berryman parking lot portion instead of the whole loop. It was very challenging, but to note, there are a LOT of felled trees on the trail at this point. We had to dismount and climb over approximately 20 times on this 10-mile portion of trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Parts of the Ozark Trail

Review Date
May 11, 2009

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: GUnitWildwood ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Weekend Warrior training for some Colorado rides - Rode 5/9/2009 - Two points to understand concerning the Berryman trail for 2009. Trail was hit hard by storms. Countless large trees cover the trail. It will take all of 2009 to clear these trees. Very hard to get any type of cadence going because of the constant climb over/under/around that must be done due to the downed trees. Many parts still have water sitting on and flowing down the trail.

Second point - Ride Castlewood and don't bother with this trail. Ride any dry (or wet) creek in MO and you'll get the experience of this trail. The washed out conditions, the rocks, the expose roots on the trail took all the fun out of the ride. You will average 5-6 mph on this trail because of the long climbs, so plan on making it an all day ride. Only reason to ride this loop is get mentally and physically torn up. If you like fun, fast, and challenging rides, once again, ride Castlewood over the Berryman trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Castlewood

Review Date
November 12, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Ripp ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
So, a friend of mine who rides this trail once or twice a year (we live 4 hours away) invited me to go and ride it over the Halloween weekend, I knew from talking to him and the other friends I knew who had ridden it that it was tough, mostly due to the length and the constant up and down.
The trail was tough and then some, but fun too. Not too technical, but not a beginner trail either. The ups get to hurt after a while, but the downs are payback.
I thought the trail was in pretty good riding shape, for an intermediate rider on a FS bike. I loved it (except for the leg cramps) and will be back to do it again. But I doubt I'll ever ride it in better weather, mid 70's and sunny on Halloween!? Awesome.

Recommended Route:
We rode it counterclockwise from Brazil Creek. It worked.

Review Date
May 12, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: ericfoltz ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great trail. I've ridden it twice now and it never fails to satisfy. Not overly technical. Just a good long ride on some great singletrack.

Trail is prone to fallen trees so if you're riding after a big storm, be prepared to walk around some deadfall.

Recommended Route:
Clockwise loop from the campground.

Review Date
November 5, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: tierney_joseph ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The area is gorgeous & the surrounding camping is first rate. The trail is undoubtedly very challenging due to it's length & an excellent test of endurance. Besides the length the trail has very little to offer & I'd have to say 'Bicycle Magazine' is nuts to call it the finest trail east of the Rockies & west of the Appalachians. 80% of this trail has fallen victim to very large amounts of horse traffic - so you're basically riding on large, loose rock the entire time. If you want to know what it would be like to ride the Berryman just find a dried out rocky creek bed and ride on that for a while. It is a beautiful area & you will be tired, but there is nothing fun about riding this trail. Arkansas, KC, & St. Louis all offer much better alternatives - Syllamo Springs, Landahl, Minor Park, Castle Wood, the Chubb ... they are shorter (save Syllamo) but offer much more diverse & technical riding - ride them twice if you need the 24 miles. It is important to note that Minor & Castle Wood do not offer camping.

Recommended Route:
Rode counter clockwise.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Syllamo Springs, Landahl, Minor, Castle Wood, Chubb