Home  >>Trails >> United States Trails >>Virginia >>

Login  |  Register
Options
Add a Trail
Latest Trail Reviews
Latest Trails Added
Report incorrect or duplicate trails here.


Review Policy
MtbREVIEW.com supports IMBA and responsible riding. Please submit only legal trails to our list. If you discover a trail posted on this site that is not open for public mountain biking, please email our IMBA friends at info@imba.com with detailed info. They'll help us remove the unauthorized trail from the site.

Click here for info about keeping our trails open.
Related Links
MTBR Passion Forum
Save the Trails Forum
Mountain Bike Product Reviews
Lat: Lng:

Fountainhead
32 reviews
 4.25 of 5

Go ride this trail. I rode it for the first time and it rules. Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) built this trail. Without getting creative, I rode 1 loop of seven miles of singletrack. This is real singletrack - no overgrown doubletrack, no fireroad, no pavement - just sweet sweet singletrack. It kicked my ass. It is set up to ride one way so you don't worry about killing people on blind corners and there are NO HORSES ALLOWED!! I'm sure if you ride it every day it could get easier, but I got whooped. It rides like a mix of Avalon and Loch Raven. None of the climbs are unrideable, but I walked a few. If you think you rule and that this is easy, ride faster. Go to this trail and give MORE huge props for a real trail.
discuss this trail in the Virginia, WV, Maryland, DC, Delaware forum >>
post pictures of this trail >>
search for trail pictures >>

This trail doesn't have any Longitude and Latitude data for the map. Participate and drag the red marker to the correct location.
Enter a Starting Point (City, State, or Landmark)


[X]Cancel
Latitude
38.727237618187644
Longitude
-77.32018947601318
Trail Directions
mapquest to: 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station (south of 66, west of 495)
Trail Length
7 miles
Trail Level
Trails for all skill levels
Trail Type
Singletrack
City/County
Fairfax County
   


Sort Reviews by:  Latest Review | Best Rating
Reviews 1 - 5 (32 Reviews Total) View All | Next 5

Review Date
October 5, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Rate this review?

Reviewed by: scout6 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This was my first time on this trail. I'd heard lots of stories - wet leaves, slippery roots. I guess I chose a good day. It was GREAT! Challenging sections, smooth flowy sections, great scenery. Well marked, and well designed with loops to make the trail longer or shorter. I went around the whole way and it was great! I was riding a geared full suspension Niner - I think a great choice for this trail. While this was my first time it will certainly not be my last. I'm thinking now - when can I go back? MORE is doing a great job!

Recommended Route:
Go through all the loops - it's a great trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Wakefield, Accotink



Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date
June 4, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Rate this review?

Reviewed by: cesper ,  Downhiller

Summary:
I started riding fountainhead about 9 years ago on my $500 hardtail. It totally kicked my ass, but for some reason I kept wanting to come back for more. The final climb out to the parking lot always leaves me feelin' satisfied, whether it's one loop or two, rigid SS'er or 6-inch bike.

Alot could, and has been said about this place and I think the best part about this trail is the rhythm and flow. It took me a couple of years to learn that you have to really hit the downhills fast to keep your speed up for the uphills, and push a higher gear. Another thing it will teach you is to hammer straight out of the gate. The first few hills hit you pretty hard, but after that you can find your groove. I agree with the previous poster, a heavy freeride/allmtn. bike is a little much, but considering how close this place is to the metro area, I'll take it. I think I've ridden every trail worth riding within 100 miles of fairfax, and this remains a favorite.

Being a MTB only trail is also a huge plus for me, especially after living in Phoenix the past year, where the trails are always crowded.

Recommended Route:
The whole thing, although in the last few years they added a short loop that goes down close by the water. It's pretty choppy and kind of uneventful, so I usually skip it.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The usual.



Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date
February 26, 2009

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Rate this review?

Reviewed by: one incredible donkey ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Bike used: 2006 Transition Preston FR

I have lived in northern Virginia for about 3.5 years and after hearing so many fantastic things about this place I finally got out today to give it a go. Unfortunately I was pretty unimpressed. I guess it's good for a masochistic cross-country rider who doesn't mind climbing only to get to flat ground, but I like a good reward after a climb and I didn't feel satisfied but only a couple times. I was expecting "Shockabilly Hill" to be some long and brutal technical downhill but all I got was a short and steep descent.

It's nice and technical, and has a good amount of roots and rocks. Unfortunately most of them are on flat sections of trail, which does nothing but sap energy and slow you down.

I was reading on the MORE forums that they're considering implementing some freeride features and that might bring me out again but as it is I will ride places like Patapsco where you're at least going to get some good downhill out of a climb.

Recommended Route:
I guess the main loops?

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Wakefield, Accotink



Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date
August 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Rate this review?

Reviewed by: fensterm ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Awesome trail. MORE has done well with Fountainhead. It's one-way, so you don't have to worry about crashing into people. Rooty, rocky singletrack that is best for intermediate to advanced riders. Plenty of difficult climbs and fun downhills.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Schaeffer, Patapsco



Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Review Date
March 20, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Rate this review?

Reviewed by: Jwiffle ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I love Fountainhead. I miss living only 3 miles from the place, so now I only get back every couple months instead of at least once a week.

Anyway, it's a great system. A mountain bike only trail, it is made by mtbers for mtbers; MORE has done a nice job with the place! Numerous short steep climbs (only one I haven't managed on a singlespeed, though I've done it on a gearie), roots are plentiful, a few small rockgardens. All of the trail is ridable, though those of lesser skill or stamina may wonder how. The trail caters to just about anyone. I often take my rigid singlespeed, but if I want to be able to push it faster, I take the full suspsension. And shockabilly (or the more difficult alternate route) provides something for those who like something a little more extreme (they're great fun!). And I was very surprised last fall to find teeters! I'd have never thought MORE would allow TTFs on their systems; and a couple of logs turned into skinnies! another great surprise. So, now a challenge for everyone! I like it!

Recommended Route:
Trail is one directional, so you're required to go the recommended route. Although I believe some races that are held there go in reverse from time to time (and, of course, if you're the only one there you could get away with a ride in reverse--I have never tried it that way, but others tell me reverse is more fun than forward).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Accotink, Wakefield.

Want some truly epic riding? Head westward to Elizabeth's Furnace/Fort Valley area.



Would you like to Comment?
Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Reviews 1 - 5 (32 Reviews Total) View All | Next 5



What's New
» Write a Review and Enter To Win a Free Sci'con Saddlebag, Truvativ Carbon bar, or Mtbr Jersey! - Here's How»
» Bike Parks & Resort Reviews - find great riding destinations»
» Sea Otter Classic! Read news and info about the latest bikes and gear from the show»

Latest Articles and Reviews:

Photo Caption Contest

(sponsored by Maxxis)

Enter here

Advertise With Us | About Us | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use The ConsumerREVIEW.com Network
 MtbREVIEW.com  RoadbikeREVIEW.com  OutdoorREVIEW.com
 PhotographyREVIEW.com  VideogameREVIEW.com  ComputingREVIEW.com
 AudioREVIEW.com  CarREVIEW.com  GolfREVIEW.com
Copyright ©1996-2009 All Rights Reserved.ConsumerREVIEW.com, a business unit of Invenda      RSS Feed