The Best Most Difficult Mountain Bike Rides in Western North Carolina

Easy | Moderate | More Difficult | Most Difficult

This page includes all Most Difficult rides. Click any Climb or Tread rating icon for details about the ratings.

Big Ivy Tour (Coleman Boundary)

16.2mi, Most Difficult

  • Climbing: Climbs Steeply
  • Tread Condition: Climbs Steeply

The best way to explore the area, this long, spectacular ride combines the Staire Creek and Douglas Falls rides above into one great "figure 8" loop.

Details and Map | Photos

Tsali - Left and Right Loops

18mi, Most Difficult

  • Climbing: Hilly
  • Tread Condition: Hilly

Details and Map | Photos

Laurel Mountain

14mi, Most Difficult

  • Climbing: Climbs Moderately
  • Tread Condition: Climbs Moderately

This is a long loop ride in a remote, scenic forest and mountain area, with a gradual but technical, fun singletrack climb, and a very steep uphill section. Has a high elevation change, high elevation environment, steep, rocky switchbacks, a 2.5 mile, 1600 vertical foot, very technical uninterrupted downhill, and scenic gravel road cruising and climbing.

Details and Map

Black Mountain

12.5mi, Most Difficult

  • Climbing: Climbs Steeply
  • Tread Condition: Climbs Steeply

Also known as "Clawhammer," this hard-core ride contains a 7 1/2 mile, 2000 vertical foot climb. Starts on a technical creekside trail with at least 6 deep creek crossings, and includes the scenic Twin Falls side hike, a moderately technical climb to Buckhorn Gap, incredible views, a very remote and rugged ridgeline trail (beyond technical), a rock cave, rock outcroppings and boulders. Crosses Clawhammer and Black Mountains' summits, then there's a very fast, technical, 1900 vertical foot, 4-mile downhill.

Details and Map | Photos

The Best Rides in WNC