Adirondack Mountain Biking

Hit the trails in the Adirondacks

The vibrant beauty of the Whiteface Region may be best experienced on two wheels. Whether you're looking for extreme downhill thrills, technical mountain climbs, or varying difficulties of flowy singletrack, mountain biking in the Adirondacks is for all sorts of riders! Before hitting the trails, you can even swing by the Wilmington Bike Park to refine your skills!

Mountain biking events for all ages and skill levels

Events involving the mountain bike community are abound in the Whiteface Region. In summer, the Wilmington/Whiteface 100K traverses backcountry roads and smooth singletrack. In the fall, there's the Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival. When the weathers good, you can even try your hand at completing the Wonder of Wilmington mountain biking challenge. And while there are no events in the winter, you can still go fat-tire biking on trails and seasonal roads scattered throughout our region.

A boy focuses on riding a ramp on a bike.

A man bikes over a hill on a mountain bike.

Trail stewardship, information, and conditions

The 23+ miles of mountain biking trails in the region are largely built and maintained by volunteer members of the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) 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, and visit TrailForks.com for more information.

Mountain biking trails in nearby regions

While our area has some of the best trail systems in the Adirondacks, our neighbors in other towns have great options too. In the Lake Champlain Region, Otis Mountain and Blueberry Hill are two extensive mountain biking trail systems you need to check out, in addition to the newer Cobble Hill trail network. Over in the Lake Placid region, the Craig Wood and Heaven Hill trails are must-rides, and a trip to the Mount Van Hoevenberg trails is the perfect multi-purpose adventure.

Two mountain bikers on a single track trail in a green forest

Trail System

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.

A mountain biker jumps from up on a rock ledge.

Trail System

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.

Two mountain bikers speed down a tight dirt path

Trail System

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 is rugged, so use caution when riding.

A biker goes around a curved wooden ramp

Trail System

Skills Park

Located behind Little Supermarket, the Skills Park is a must do for any mountain biker in the Adirondacks! It includes a pump track, dirt jumps, and a skills park. What started as just a pump track and dirt jumps has evolved into a comprehensive skill park that was expanded with the help of BETA and Hardy Kids. Features here include jumps, rollers, seesaws, and so much more. Check it out today! (Bonus: it's free!)

Responsible Riding

Follow these tips, tricks, and rules for a safe and enjoyable experience! Hover your mouse over the cards.

RESPECT THIS GIFT

Riding trails on public or private lands is a gift, not a right. That hiker we just passed? She might own the land we’re riding on. With every ride, let’s remember to be grateful for the landowners and others who make it possible.

PROTECT NATURE

Enjoy nature, don’t ruin it. Keep on the trails. Erosion is our single highest impact when we’re out riding. Skidding causes erosion. Cutting corners can cut off access. Riding muddy trails messes it up for everyone. If we see animals, don’t bother them, remember them. Pick up trash, pack it out, carpool here and back.

CARE FOR OTHERS

We share the trails with others, and they have the same rights and responsibilities as each of us. If someone needs help, we help. If someone needs encouragement, we share our enthusiasm. And if it’s going to make the situation bet-ter, we dismount. Be nice, yield to others, and give a smile.

BE THE EXAMPLE

Being aggressive has no place in mountain biking. We know our limits, and we ride within them. Beyond the ride, let’s park where we’re supposed to, keep the tunes to a dull roar, and leave the IPAs for après somewhere else. Reckless behavior? A simple, polite call out will do.