Mountain Biking Pisgah National Forest: A Week of Trails, Waterfalls & Riding from Horse Shoe, NC
Basecamp in Horse Shoe, NC with Direct Access to Pisgah’s Best Mountain Biking Trails
Entrance sign to Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC.
I didn’t plan to ride Pisgah—it just worked out. I was visiting family in Birmingham and decided to take a detour through Western North Carolina. I’d heard about Pisgah’s mountain biking scene and figured it was time to see what it was really about. Plus, Asheville was nearby, and I wanted to check it out.
The downside was having to work during the trip, which limited my ride time. But I still made the most of it—and walked away with a solid feel for the terrain and the area.
Why Pisgah National Forest Is a Top Mountain Biking Destination
Pisgah National Forest covers over 500,000 acres in Western North Carolina. It’s one of the oldest national forests in the country and a major hub for mountain biking in the Southeast. The terrain is rugged and varied—dense woods, sharp elevation changes, and a mix of old-school singletrack and newer, purpose-built trails. Within the Pisgah Ranger District are 69 trails designated for mountain biking, offering a range of experiences from fast flow to technical challenges. Riders come here for the technical challenge and the sheer volume of access. With trailheads all over the region and conditions that shift with weather and time, Pisgah isn’t built for comfort—it’s built to test your skills and endurance. It tested mine and kicked my butt.
Why Ride in Pisgah National Forest
Sycamore Cove Trail in Pisgah National Forest—roots, rocks, and tight lines typical of the terrain here.
Pisgah’s trails are rough, technical, and always changing. Water moves through the forest constantly—carving lines, washing out debris, and reshaping sections after every storm. You’ll hit exposed roots, loose rock, sharp grades, and sudden drops—sometimes all in one run.
You’ll cross creeks. You’ll hike-a-bike. You’ll hear waterfalls cutting through the trees while you’re pushing your bike uphill. It’s raw and real—and that’s what makes it worth it. And it all happens in a thick, green forest that’s as brutal as beautiful.
Where to Stay and Eat in Horse Shoe, NC for Mountain Biking Pisgah
My Airbnb cabin in Horse Shoe, NC—quiet, tucked into the trees, and close to the trails.
I found a simple cabin in a quiet corner of Horse Shoe—a small town that sits right in the middle of everything. The place was tucked up a mountain road with other cabins and homes scattered along the way. It was quiet, low-key, and just what I needed. In the mornings, the birds were loud. I don’t remember the last time I heard birds singing like that. It made me think—this must be a good place if the birds are that happy. Isolated, but not remote—neighbors were close enough if something came up.
→ Here’s the link to the Airbnb.
Just off the main road leading to the cabin, I found Cognative Cafe—a coffee shop that shares space with Cognative MTB, a local apparel brand. Great coffee from a roaster in Asheville, solid pastries. Get the blueberry scone or the cardamom roll. They also do a lineup of toasts that hit the spot post-ride.
Across the street is Roots & Bones—an elevated Southern spot with a rotating chef-driven menu. I went there after a few rides and kept coming back for the farmer’s salad. I also tried the short rib meatloaf, which was solid. The biscuits? I’d skip them. Everything else was worth it.
→ View the Roots & Bones menu.
Mountain Biking Pisgah: What I Rode and What to Expect
Trail marker at the start of Avery Creek Trail in Pisgah National Forest. Don’t let the “blue” rating fool you—this trail rides like a black.
The riding in Pisgah was different than what I expected from YouTube videos. You can watch all the content you want, but being out there is something else. First off, you climb—every trail requires it. And nothing here is beginner-level. Expect blues and blacks, and understand that “blue” here means something different than in most places.
These are the two trails I rode during the week. They gave me a clear look at what Pisgah demands: elevation, skill, and patience.
Pro Tip: Most of the riders you’ll run into here are locals. Ask questions. They know the trails, the weather patterns, and what’s running well. I learned more from a few conversations in parking lots than I did from hours of watching ride videos.
Sycamore Cove Trail
Sycamore Cove was the first trail I rode at Pisgah. It starts right at the Ranger Station parking lot, which makes it easy to access. If you’re new to riding here, start with this one. It gives you a good baseline for Pisgah—roots, tight corners, punchy climbs—but without the intensity of the bigger trails.
I rode Sycamore Cove a few times during the week. It’s shorter and more manageable than Avery Creek, but it still gives you the full Pisgah feel. I highly recommend starting on this trail before you hit anything bigger.
→ See my video of Sycamore Cove. [Link TBD]
Pro Tip: Don’t climb up Sycamore. Take Grassy Road Trail—a green-rated climb that brings you to the top. From there, drop in left or right for a proper descent. Both directions are fast, rooty, and way more fun than grinding uphill.
Avery Creek Trail
Crossing water and roots on lower Avery Creek Trail—classic Pisgah conditions with no easy lines.
To ride Avery Creek, I climbed 7 miles up Avery Creek Road—a forest service road that’s steady and exposed. No shade. No breaks. Just a long push. At the top, the Club Gap Trail starts. It’s a hike-a-bike section, no question.
Once you’re up, there are a few options to drop in. I went with Avery Creek. The trail is fast and technical—rocks, root webs, drops, water bars, and natural jumps that hit hard if you’re not ready. It’s the kind of trail that makes you stay sharp from top to bottom. Even on dry days, water’s running in sections. Grip matters, and line choice is everything.
Avery Creek shows you what Pisgah riding really is: no flow, no bailouts, and no easy way down.
→ Check out my video from Avery Creek. Riding Avery Creek Trail for the First Time | Pisgah National Forest, NC
Pro Tip: Don’t trust the trail signs regarding difficulty. Much of what’s marked “blue” here rides more like black. Trailforks gives a more accurate read on how challenging these trails are.
→ See the map below for a better idea of what you’re getting into. Trailforks tells the truth—trail signs don’t.
Trailforks map of Pisgah National Forest. This gives you a better picture of how dense—and serious—the trail network really is.
Other Trails I Heard About for Next Time
I only had time to ride a couple trails this trip, but I asked around and made a list for next time. These came up the most in conversations with local riders:
Black Mountain – Steep, fast, technical. A lot of people call it a must-ride.
Bennett Gap – Two different riders told me it’s the hardest trail in the area. One local straight-up said, “It’s really hard.”
Upper and Lower Black – I was told to ride both, but if you’re not up for the full climb, Lower Black is a good option. You still have to climb to get to it, but it’s a little more manageable and still delivers.
Butter Gap – Has some flow, but still rugged. Good for linking up longer routes.
If I had more time—or a full week off—this is the list I’d start working through.
Shoutout: The Hub Bike Shop in Brevard
The Hub sits right at the entrance to Pisgah, which makes it a solid stop before or after any ride. Mid-trip, my brakes started getting loud—gritty and grinding. Turns out, my pads were worn down to the metal. I dropped in without an appointment, hoping they could take a look. They got me in fast, replaced the brake pads, and had me back on the trail the same day. Solid crew, fair prices, and they know the terrain. If something goes wrong with your bike while you're in Pisgah, start here.
Trailforks Saved My Ass (Kinda)
Cell service in Pisgah is basically non-existent. Trails are marked fairly well, but when you’re new to the area, it’s still disorienting. Trails intersect other trails, some names change mid-ride, and just getting to the start of the trail you actually want can get confusing.
I used Trailforks with the paid subscription and downloaded the maps before riding. It worked. No guesswork, no backtracking, and it kept the rides moving. If you're riding Pisgah, get it dialed in ahead of time.
→ More info: Trailforks – trail maps + offline nav
Final Thoughts
Pisgah is rough. It’s steep, wet, technical, and doesn’t give you anything for free. That’s what makes it worth riding. Even with limited time and a little work in the mix, I got what I came for—a feel for the trails, a few locals’ tips, and a reminder that not everything needs to be polished to be good.
I’ll return with more brake pads and a longer trail list.
→ Also read:
What to Do Near Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina (When You’re Not Mountain Biking)
