Hit the trails in the Adirondacks
The woods of the Whiteface Region are best experienced on two wheels. Whether you're looking for extreme downhill trails, technical mountain climbs, or fast flowing single-track, the Adirondacks are a must-ride mountain bike destination for you.
In summer, the Wilmington/Whiteface 100K is part of the qualifier series for the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. In the fall, there's the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival.
With the exception of the Whiteface Mountain Bike Park, these trail systems are built and maintained by volunteer members of the Barkeater Trails Alliance in collaboration with public agencies, including the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, the Adirondack Park Agency, and not-for-profit environmental groups, towns, villages, and private landowners. Stop into a local bike shop for the latest trail conditions or to purchase a map, or visit TrailForks.com.
The trail systems
Hardy Road/Beaver Brook trails
The Hardy Road trail network, located in the Beaver Brook Tract, has become well known all over the Northeast as the place to mountain bike in the Adirondacks. The sandy soil and rolling terrain on the west side of Hardy Road, combined with the 800 foot vertical climb and descent on the east side, make for an awesome day in the saddle.
Check out the Hardy Road/Beaver Brook trail network map on TrailForks.com.
Trailhead
From the intersection of Route 86 and Route 431 (Whiteface Memorial Highway) in Wilmington, follow Route 86 east toward Jay. After 2.1 miles, turn right on Hardy Road and follow it to the Wilmington Wild Forest, Beaver Brook Tract Trail System (a.k.a. Hardy Road Trails), on the left.
The Flume Trail Network
The Flume Trail Network is the original two-wheeled trail destination in the Adirondacks' Whiteface Region. The lower trails are smooth and flowing. As you gain elevation on the shoulder of Marble Mountain the terrain becomes increasingly but delightfully technical. This network contains the greatest amount of mileage of any network in the area, and can be linked up with the network at Whiteface Mountain.
Check out the Flume Trail Network map on TrailForks.com.
Trailhead
Take Route 86 west from the intersection of Route 86 and Route 431 (Whiteface Memorial Highway) in Wilmington. Follow Route 86 for 2 miles and look for the Flume parking area on the right, just before a bridge over the Ausable River. Overflow parking is located just before the main parking lot, on the opposite side of the road.
Poor Man's Downhill
This unique shuttle run in the Whiteface Region is affectionately known as Poor Man’s Downhill. This beginner's downhill run drops 1,200 feet in 3 miles from the Whiteface Mountain toll road to Wilmington. It is appropriate for any style of mountain bike, but it's still a mountain trail, so use caution when riding it. Look out for the town of Wilmington's shuttle service — it's a convenient, low-cost way to get to the top of Poor Man's!
Check out the Poor Man's Downhill trail map on TrailForks.com.
Whiteface Mountain Bike Park
The Whiteface Region is also home to Whiteface Mountain’s Bike Park, where riders can revel in the 2,476 feet of lift-serviced vertical on a variety of intermediate and advanced terrain. The trails at Whiteface are narrow single-track that traverse the mountain and run between the ski trails. A shuttle vehicle will deliver you to beginner and intermediate terrain on the lower mountain before you test your skills on trails accessed via the gondola.
One lift pass is valid for unlimited runs on either the shuttle or gondola. All trails are well marked and include the familiar green circle, blue square, and black diamond difficulty ratings. Rental equipment and mountain access is available seven days a week throughout the season.
Also check out our town jump park and pump track, a must do for any mountain biker in the Adirondacks!
Get your fat tire on
Mountain biking is no longer just a warm-weather sport. Fat tire bikes make our trails rideable, even in the winter! If you've never been on a fat tire bike, layer up and rent one from a gear shop, you won't be disappointed.
Ride responsibly
Please help us take care of our trails by following these simple guidelines! You can learn more here.
- Avoid muddy trails
This is described in detail above, but it’s worth repeating: If your tires are sinking into the mud and leaving ruts, the trail is too muddy to ride on. - Follow Leave No Trace principles
The seven Leave No Trace principles apply to all outdoor recreation, including mountain biking. Get to know them before your next adventure! - Only ride on designated mountain biking trails
There are several designations for public land in the Adirondacks, and each dictates what can and can't be done there. To avoid any hassles, and to spend more time on the trail than online doing research, a good rule of thumb is to stick to trails that were designed with mountain biking in mind. Visit BETA's website or speak to staff at local gear shops to learn more. - Ride under control
Adirondack mountain biking trails are also used by hikers. Have fun, but do it in a way that’s not a danger to yourself or others. - Plan ahead and set out prepared
Get information, buy maps, and know where you’re going before setting out. Josh said the TrailForks app is a great resource. - Respect the animals
Quite simply, if you see wildlife don’t harass it.
