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Trails
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Overview The triad has trails that offer a fairly wide variety of riding conditions for all skill levels. In my opinion, Tanglewood and Hagen Ston parks could be considered easy to moderate level. While the new Wild Turkey trail, Owl's Roost, and Hobby park could be considered moderate to advanced level. Bald Eagle, or Higgins Lake trail, is approx. 8 miles out and back. This trail is relatively fast and flat. Sections of the trail however are very rooted. Most of the trail follows the banks of Higgins Lake. The trail crosses Carlson Dairy road and Lewiston road, so use caution. If entering the trail from the parking lot off of Hamburg Mill road, the trail ends on Long Valley road. You can access the trail from either the small parking lot off of Hamburg Mill road, to the right of the marina entrance, or from Fleming road, turning onto Brass Eagle loop. You can park in the grassy area to the right as soon as you turn onto the gravel road.
Mostly singletrack. This trail has several climbs that will get your heart rate up, but nothing that is sustained for too long. It's a good flowing trail and typically fast and rolling. More additions have been added to give length to the loop. There is a suggested direction for riding the trail, but feel free to ride it in either direction. A nice freeride section has been added adjacent to the trail. Ttypically, this trail stays pretty dry but keep off for at least 24 hours after a rain and longer if it was a heavy rain. For more length, add some laps or head down the greenway to the Owls Roost singletrack which is part of Bur-Mil park.
This is a great trail to introduce people to MTN biking on, or if you have a family you can bring them and let them play in the park while you ride. This trail is used more by walkers than bike riders so please be courteous so we don't get booted off this trail. This trail has a little bit of everything, technical rock garden, roots, logs to hop and two with ramps 2' high, and a doublewide trail to build your endurance on. Start at the gravel parking area on the left after the Owl at the park entrance. Go toward the pond and go left up the hill on the logging road, you will see a red post, go right here to start the trail. Going this direction every time you come to a trail intersection turn left. You will eventually come back out on the other side of the paved road you came in on about 50 yards from the Owl. The limited singletrack on the trail flows much better going this direction, you should be able to hop all the logs going this way except for the two log ramps. To go the other direction, go back across the paved road from the parking area past the Owl and start on the trail at the end of the gravel road (signs show start) if you go this way turn right every time you come to a trail intersection. When you go through the rock garden you are near the end. You will then come to a logging road go left here back to the parking area. I consider myself an intermediate rider and I've done laps as described in as little as 20 minutes when no runners or walkers are on the trails to slow me down. Don't know exactly how long it is 4 miles seems about right per lap.
This is a great trail to work on your technical, bike handling and root negotiating skills. The trail is very dangerous when it's wet. There are 3 four foot or higher log pyramids the last one at the top of a climb which is a killer. Two root infested climbs that are really nasty when it's wet, a great gulley (20'+ deep) to drop into and lots of big ring cranking along the shore of the lake. Watch out for walkers, runners and other bikers especially on the weekends. The trail follows the contours of the lake for awhile then you have two tough rooty climbs. A trail comes in from the right at the top of the second climb go straight. Tackle all of the afore mentioned obstacles then you come to another split in the trail. Left takes you out to the greenway right takes you on doubletrack that has two lenghty climbs with two equally lengthy downhills. These are great. At the top of the second climb there is another split, left puts you out at the top of your second rooty climb, right gives you another fast downhill and puts you out about 3/4 way through the trail.
An easy, fun ride that anyone will enjoy; good introduction trail. Mostly smooth, level cranking with enough roots and other drops to make you pay attention. Tread: 6.8 miles of singletrack.
This is a brand new trail by the Greensboro Fat Tire Society. It connects the water shed trails at Bur-Mil park to the Reedy Creek trail. It is sweet singletrack with berms and lots of log pyramids. Whoop-tee-doo sections are abundant and this trail can be as fast as you want it to be. Overall, this trail is 3 miles one-way. Few roots exist at the present time, so enjoy it while it lasts. By far the best trail we have in the Triad at the present time.
Coming Soon!
This trail has got it all: huge berms, rock gardens, streams, big logs, pyramids, a serious drop through a rock and log-infested erosion gully, and a climb that gives you the option of lung-busting or heart-breaking fun. It’s Disneyland for the two-wheeled set—not a trail for first-timers or for anyone who really hates falling. This trail will test your technical skills (and courage) from all angles.
If you live in the northern part of Kernersville, Oak Ridge, or northeast Winston Salem, this trail is a good pick as far as location goes. Otherwise, it's a bit out of the way. The biggest complaint I hear about this trail is that it's too short. I would agree with that statement, however it does have some good things to offer. One of the greatest things is that it's strictly for mountain bikers, no hiking, horseback riding, etc. is allowed. However, don't be surprised to see hikers. This trail has some nice tight singletrack, with some good climbs. It has a fast 1 mile outer loop. It tends to stay wet in places and it's wise to allow several days for drying after a rain. There is one whoop-dee-doo section that will work you, but MAN, it's fun. Once you're out of those, you ride in the low, flat area next to the creek. Be careful after the rains, cause this place stays wet longer. The low area weaves around; you can get fast enough to have some fun, but you keep it lowere because of the tight trees. After crossing a bridge, you begin the long climb just before the second tech section. It's not bad, but it will owrk you. The second tech section has some nice ravines and curves. Again, you get a marginal amount of speed. There are some nice hills in here to test your climbing. Once out, the third section is just around the next curve. You'll recognize it quickly because it automatically changes from open woods to tight pines. It's fun, but skipping it on a short day won't break your heart. After popping out of this section, you get to blast down a weaving smooth downhill that can get tight in a hurry. It leads into some smooth sections that end with the entrance to the fourth tech section. The fourth begins with a gradual climb that leads you by the 6 foot drop and into some cool singletrack filled with log crossings. This area weaves around the low areas and finally crosses a bridge. Once you're over the bridge, you face the muddiest section: two mounds. You have to have some momentum, or else, you end up in the muck. The climb after this is pretty cool: major roots, but still fun. The last tech section turns to the left, throws you into a good, gravelly(?) climb, and into a monster log crossing. Once you're past it, you flow down the hill, past another crossing and over a hill. Once over the hill, it gets messy. Not with mud, with WEEDS...it stays so growed up, you wonder where the trail is. This leads into one of the most technical climbs I've yet to make. Very steep, with roots in all the wrong places. I'm sure it's just my inexperience, but I will make it and SOON. This leads out of the last tech section into some clean singletrack. The trail ends with a monster downhill: straight down, just watch for the rocks...they hide in the fall. From there, it's just a few more feet to the opening trail for a second loop.
These trails are really fun to ride on those days you don't want to 'work' to ride. Since there are no large climbs, most of the time you are just cruising. There are three sections: the main loop on the left side of the park behind the soccer field, the connector trail on the left side of the park across the road from main loop, and the more technical trail on the right side of the park. I typically like to warm up on the tech side, and venture my way over to the main loop. The tech side has a few logs to cross, weaves a lot more but also stays muddier. The connector trail is short, but has some nice obstacles and some great sweeping curves. The main loop is FAST. None of these trails have any large climbs, so keeping speed up isn't a problem. The trail was designed so there are few roots; just good hardpack. It does get slick after it rains. Don't think that there are no roots, just not a lot. There's also some nice rock gardens with loads of babyhead stones.
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Local Bike Shops Paceline Bicycles (Greensboro and Winston-Salem) Ken's Bike Shop (Winston-Salem) Paul's Schwinn (Winston-Salem) Local Bike Club Trail Reviews
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