Bike Trails
Trail 1
Starting Point
The trailhead is best accessed at the gravel parking
lot just before the Katherine Crosby Bridge crosses the Yadkin on U.S. 158. Go
past the metal gate, toward the concert shell. The path goes into the woods
twenty to thirty feet from the road.
Distance
2 miles
Terrain
Rolling, but no hills; rough terrain
Recommendations
This is the best Tanglewood trail for beginning
mountain bikers, but make sure you know how to handle the bike. The trail uses
as much of the land as possible. There are a lot of tight turns, roots and
small logs. You will need to be able to pick up your front wheel to ride over
the roots and logs comfortably. After traveling 1.75 miles, the trail comes out
on the horse trail. Proceed across a small bridge. The bike trail turns
immediately into the woods. After 0.25 mile, this section comes out on the
gravel road about 100 yards below the trailhead. Turn right out of the woods
onto the gravel road to return to the parking lot.
Trail 2
Starting pont
There is no parking area at the trailhead, so you
should park at the welcome center or near the soccer fields and ride on the road
to the trailhead. To get to the trailhead from the Welcome Center, take the
main park road back toward the U.S. 158 entrance. About 200 feet before the
park road intersects with U.S. 158, take a right onto the horse trail.
Distance
1 mile
Terrain
Some hills, rough terrain
Recommendations
Compared to the other two trails, this trail has a
moderate level of difficulty. Be sure to yield to walkers and horses on this
trail. From the trialhead at the horse trail, travel 100 feet to a path that
goes off to the right. Turn right and follow the winding path. This section is
more difficult than Trail 1 because it has short, steep climbs and more objects
to overcome. You will cross the horse trail at least 2 times. Always remember
to go straight across these intersections. The trail ends at the horse trail,
which is located just across the park road from the brown ranger's house. This
house is located between the soccer fields and the welcome center.
Trail 3
Starting point
The parking areas are between the Welcome Center,
campgrounds and Shelter #2. The easiest access to the trail is through the
field across from the soccer field or from the horse trail that runs beside the
brown ranger's house, located near the soccer field.
Distance
4.6 miles
Terrain
Hilly, with rough terrain
Recommendations
This trail is best for moderate-to-experienced
mountain bikers. This is the longest and most difficult of Tanglewood's
mountain-bike trails. After entering the trailhead on the horse trail, go about
100 feet. You will see the mountain-bike path off to your right. This trail
goes through the woods behind the Welcome Center and meanders over creeks and up
small hills behind Shelter #2 before turning back and passing the former
campground area. It eventually comes out at the trailhead across from the
soccer fields. You can get lost if you do not always go straight across when
intersecting horse trails. You may often encounter detours on this trail as
volunteers work to combat erosion and make trail improvements. Because
volunteers maintain the trail there is no structure to changes that are made.
Riders should realize that dangerous sections could occur at any point, so you
need to dismount your bike and walk whenever you feel your skill level may not
be up to the challenge.
Map of the trails
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