17.4 miles
Distance
2,700 ft
Climb
-2,700 ft
Descent
3,478 ft
High Point

Route from Bent Creek to Trace Ridge and back

Detailed Description
Bent Creek to Trace Ridge is a 17 mile moderately popular intermediate route located near Bent Creek North Carolina. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 4 trails. This route climbs 2,700 ft with a max elevation of 3,478 ft then descends -2,700 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
Pisgah Area SORBA (www.pisgahareasorba.org)
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12 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
shralping-the-cube (Feb 14, 2023 at 19:32)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
If Buckwheat Knob and Bennet Gap are single black, this is a blue. It’s just one straight shot with like two corners total. It’s not steep whatsoever, and like 70% of the trail is flat dirt. The other 30% is little bursts of chunky sections. If it was steeper and had at least twice as many chunky sections and a lot more corners, it would be great. As is, it’s fun once in a while.
[Reply]
  • + 0
scott4238 (Oct 23, 2022 at 17:24)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
The "drop" is maybe 2-3 ft at most and If you're game for a black trail you're gonna be fine. Nothing technical on this just rough and fast. Wasn't my favorite descent not too many turns just a straight shot. Absolutely beautiful views, definitely worth checking out tho.
[Reply]
  • + 1
nc-sc-climber (Apr 17, 2022 at 5:19)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
The drop at the start with the tree as a lip isn't so bad with a full squish bike. I didn't get bucked and I also didn't bunny hop it (thought it couldn't be the drop that everyone was worried about). The harder parts of the trail were the loose rock and a section of back to back drops that had a double drop in it. Trying to air gap that double drop could definitely get someone hurt, and is probably possible with how fast this trail rides. Definitely a black diamond trail.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Boostiiyo (Apr 13, 2022 at 8:47)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
One of the best trails in Pisgah if you ask me. It’s pretty much a straight shot down so you can pick up some crazy speed and fly off the drops smoothly. Watch out for the first big drop at the very beginning.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Nmichaud (Nov 22, 2021 at 20:29)
Trail Spencer Gap (Upper)
Awesome trail, killer scenery. We were visiting and highly recommend, the (Road) climb to get there was long and a good warmup.
[Reply]
  • - 2
BennetgapBen (Aug 24, 2021 at 6:22)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
This is a blue not black
[Reply]
  • + 1
provin1327 (Apr 8, 2021 at 13:29)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
Wow, one of the best descents I have ever ridden. Very high speed, chunky but nothing crazy and berms with loads of grip. An absolute must do trail!
[Reply]
  • + 1
Spiderman1028 (Sep 22, 2020 at 15:25)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
What legitbiker9000 said haha.
[Reply]
  • + 1
benfin (Aug 18, 2020 at 6:57)
Trail Spencer Gap (Upper)
This isn't the downhill section of Spencer. It is though the most beautiful ride up to the top where Spencer descent and Trace ridge start.
[Reply]
  • + 1
rybrentd (Jul 24, 2019 at 2:27)
Trail Spencer Gap (Upper)
I almost ran into a black bear right before trace ridge/spencer intersection on June 23, 2019. I was traveling up from the east side to ride down Trace Ridge. The bear was about 20 yards ahead traveling (barreling) down the hill right before twilight. Another user reported a bear at ingles field gap recently so potentially beware.
[Reply]
  • + 3
LegitBiker9000 (May 20, 2019 at 8:01)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
Honestly way better descent than spencer gap, yeah spencer gap may have a few man build features on it, but screw it, where would u rather end on a uphill or have a full descent of classic pisgah?
[Reply]
  • + 1
Mightywhite (Jul 2, 2018 at 8:04)
Trail Trace Ridge Trail
Super fun trail with a few water bar sections, nothing heavy. Feels like a bit less refined Kitsuma. Highly recommended.
[Reply]





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Trails in Route

Details

More Stats for Bent Creek to Trace Ridge mountain bike route
  • Altitude change
    0 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,216 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,216 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,215 ft
  • Grade max
    -45.3%
  • Grade min
    33.3%
  • Distance climb
    9 miles
  • Distance down
    7 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile
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Trace Ridge Trail - N. Mills River, NC.
Trace Ridge Trail - N. Mills River, NC.
43 | comments: 0 | favs:
Feb 16, 2022
Trace Ridge Trail, Mills River, NC. More pedaling than thought once on actual trail, still worth it.

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Lower Sidehill (Eastern)
Jan 28, 2023 @ 11:21pm
Jan 28, 2023
Spencer Gap (Upper)
Jan 28, 2023 @ 2:11am
Jan 28, 2023
First half is great, but the bottom half where the leaves are not covering the trail has some muddy spots that are quite slick.
Trace Ridge Trail
Jan 27, 2023 @ 6:11pm
Jan 27, 2023
Lower Sidehill (Western)
Jul 24, 2022 @ 4:49am
Jul 24, 2022
more reports »
  • By Nsignet & contributors
  • #35263 - 160 views