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 & 50K traverses backcountry roads and smooth singletrack. In the fall, there's BETA's Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival. As a solo, family, or group endeavor, you can try your hand at completing the Wonder of Wilmington mountain biking challenge. Mountain bike enthusiasts will love spectating the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup that first came to Lake Placid in 2024, bringing the top MTB athletes from around the world to the Adirondacks. And though there are no big events in the winter, you can still go fat-tire biking on trails and seasonal roads scattered throughout our region. 

Two mountain bikers on wooded trail in fall
a man bikes through tall grass.
A boy focuses on riding a ramp on a bike.
Person in purple jacket on fat tire bike in winter

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 Mt Van Hoevenberg trails is the perfect multi-purpose adventure.

Gravel biking

The Whiteface Region also has dozens of miles of gravel roads for riders to enjoy. If you don't have a mountain bike, or are simply trying to stretch your legs from a day or two of mountain biking, creating a loop on gravel roads is a good way to enjoy the scenery.

 

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A mountain biker rides across a wooden bridge.
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Wilmington Mountain Biking

Come for the mountain biking in the Whiteface Region, where the woods are best experienced on two wheels.

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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.

Get Close to Adirondack Mountain Biking

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