Review Date
May 19, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: rocketrick ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Just a reminder, please go CLOCKWISE ! The race goes clockwise for a good reason. It`s faster, funner, safer, and it flows better. As a volunteer I know every pebble. See reviews 9-29-02, 10-3-02, 10-21-03. many of these trails are narrow, one person wide. Let`s all go clockwise so we don`t ... well, you know. Trust me, your time is best spent clockwise. thanks for reading, see you at the cabin on Tusc.

Recommended Route:
See 9-29-02 , 10-3-02, 10-21-03

Review Date
February 12, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: MOTO BILLY ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
!!!!!!!!! ATTENTION PEOPLE WHO RIDE AT DOUTHAT STATE PARK OR FAVORITE TRAILS ARE BEING BULLDOZED TO MAKE ROOM FOR HORSES THEY HAVE TRIED TO KEEP IT ON THE DOWN LO BUT I RODE THERE FEB 11th AND FOUND MOST OF THE LOWER TRAILS !!!!! 4 FEET WIDE WITH MOST ALL OF THE ROCKS AND ROOTS REMOVED I RAN INTO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF DESIGNING THE TRAILS AND IT WAS HE THAT TOLD ME IT WAS FOR HORSES IF ANYONE KNOWS TO WHAT EXTENT THEY HAVE RUINED OUR TRAILS PLEASE POST IT HERE THANKS FOR READING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Date
October 8, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: krayg ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is what I expected mountain biking to be like when I started riding. Lots of great LONG single track climbing and fast descents. I generally ride at Fountainhead (VA), Schaeffer (MD), Elizabeth Furnace (VA) and Gambril (MD). I have to say that I prefer Douthat to all those. I wasn't able to find anything as technical as Gambril but the Blue Suck Falls at Douthat was pretty close right near the falls. It's fairly similar to EF but no fire roads.

After riding several local very hilly/rocky trails I thought I was ready for anything. I guess 4+ miles of switchbacks with no reprieve will truly test your fitness level.

Recommended Route:
Stony Run Trail to Middle Mountain to Salt Stump Trail.

The climb on Stony Run will truly test anyone's fitness level. It is long but ridable and there is definitely a pay off. The descents off Salt Stump Trail and Pine Tree are ever so pleasing.

Review Date
September 16, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: vilondon ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This place is beautiful. We weren't expecting to get our asses handed to us like we did though. We ride the toughest trails in our area and Stony Run is no joke. We made it, but are going to get into better shape and kick its ass next time. Bring your climbing lungs!!!! There are easier trails here though, and so much fun. You find out what you are made of on these trails!!!

Recommended Route:
Stony Run

Other recommended trails in the same area:
no idea, are going to hit up Charlottesville though

Review Date
April 7, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: ieyasu3 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Love this place. My wife and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary last Oct. Rented a cabin. Bonus is that they allow dogs in the cabin (we have a 12 yr. old female German Shepherd). Not many parks allow dogs.

As to the trails, the big climbs followed by ridge riding and then big downhills are what characterize this place. The lower lying trails on the west side of the park road are also good for beginner to intermediate riders.

Recommended Route:
Several recommendations:

1. Stony run falls is a fantastic climb with spectacular views. While it's an endurance challenge, it's entirely rideable so no frustrating hike-a-bike sections. I actually prefer to take the trail all the way to the top of the ridge. Take a right on the blue-blazed Middle Mountain ridge trail. From here you have a couple of options. The salty stump trail is a classic bench cut descent. Steep in sections but not too technical. Gives you access to the lower lying trails which you can take to get back to the Stony Run Falls trail head.

Another descent option is to stay on the blue-blazed Middle Mountain trail. Very fun, fast non-technical descent for the most part. Toward the end, there are very steep switchbacks. Don't be surprise if you have to get off the bike here. Eventually dumps you out on to the Smith Creek Rd. If you take a right on Smith Creek (and stay on Smith Creek) you'll get back to Douthat State Park rd. Probably about a 20 min road ride back to the park.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Carvin's Cove (but closed as of Mar. 2008 b/c of fire)