Reviewed by: topmounter ,  Cross Country Rider , from Longmont, CO USA

Summary:
I remember riding this area many years ago when I was in WNC for a few weeks.

I hate to hear that these trails are not open to mountain biking now.

I would consider joining the Presbyterian Church and spending a week or two every year at the Montreat conference center with my family if it would help get some of these trails opened up for mountain biking.

Recommended Route:
It has been a really long time and I wasn't leading the ride, besides you can't ride it anymore :(

Other recommended trails in the same area:
hehe

Reviewed by: Administration , from Montreat

Summary:
Montreat Conference Center Wilderness land is protected by conservation practices and is Privately Owned Wilderness. Groups that are not directly linked with the Montreat Conference Center are asked to submit a permission request to the Director of Environmental Education. These wilderness trails are for FOOT TRAVEL ONLY. Bicycles and horses are not allowed, in order to protect trail conditions and safety, fragile soil, and water breaks.

Reviewed by: bozorider , from the circus

Summary:
the ride starts out very gradual with a fast mid-ring section . enjoy it , you will not see another one for a while.
the trail turns into a technical unrelenting climb through boulders(baby brains) that will take a `toll' on you. in most sections there are no good lines, only lines that are not as bad. continue on to the parkway, take a left and go to mt. mitchell state park entrance, just for the added fun go ahead and do the pavement up to the concession stand at mitchell(highest point east of the rockies). refill your water bottles, eat a bite, and go back the way you came up. its a technical descent that will test your skills manuevering through the rocks. dont go back the way you turned onto the toll rd but keep going to appalachion way and do that descent its a wide knarly jeep rd that is a blast, continue down when u get to the pavement and make your way back to your car( u will need to ask for directions if u arnt familiar with the many short streets in this area. again please stop and talk to the people at epic bikes.
this area (montreat) has as much if not more than the bent creek area and is much more demanding-i like it!!
you will gain about 3000' during the ride if u go all the way to mitchell, be prepared for instant weather changes, and it may be better to due this during late spring-early fall on dry days. traction on the rocks would be pretty bad if it was wet

Recommended Route:
same start point as mentioned in other reviews, only do not turn but continue on to the old toll road, take a right when you get to the toll road sign and climb to mt mitchell state park entrance. it is best to get a map or stop at epic cycles. this is an easy place to get lost as there are many turn offs along the way

Other recommended trails in the same area:
kitsuma, mills river, green river, brevard(pisgah area)panther valley, jones mtn

Reviewed by: john , from black mountain

Summary:
see above

Recommended Route:
If you park at lookout trail head, start at the black gate, thats rainbow trail which turns into the tool road. A couple great downhills are the Copperhead trail which turns off after the first long up hill (there is a sign) that takes you into Ridgecrest, or the right at the next fork (about half a mile further) which also ends in Ridgecrest. Both are white knuckle speed fests full of water run off "speed bumps". Probably the best thing to do is go to Epic Cycles in Black mountain and talk with the owners, they have a list of local trails. A lot of them are actually not open to or do not have existing policies for mountain bikers so be COOL and respect hikers. The riding is steep, rocky, technical and not for the beginner.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kitsuma always blows my mind!! Its a 9.6 mile loop of the most technical steep stuff I have ever loved to ride and includes a nearly five mile uphill on a closed road at the end (old hwy 70). It takes 14!!! switchbacks to get up the initial ascent.

Reviewed by: Jim , from Monroe, NC

Summary:
It starts out with a good, long, technical, rock strewn climb taking you most of the way up the mountain. The high point of the climb is the black Mtn/ridgecrest Helispot ( clearing marked by signs ) After this there is a fast rolling bit of downhill single track followed by a short climb. At the end of the trail there is the awsomenest half-mile of extreme fireroad downhill I have ever seen. After that there is an approximatly 1mile long downhill road ride to get back into town.

Recommended Route:
Do not turn off the trail at any point until you see a sign that points to the right and is labeled "toll road"

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Ridgecrest to Old Fort picnic area trail ( don't lnow the real name)