8.2 miles
Distance
1,412 ft
Climb
-1,419 ft
Descent
1,415 ft
High Point

Moderate to Difficult mountain bile loop starting at the soccer fields.
Includes Black Widow for fun and 2x up the fire road for a good elevation gain.

Detailed Description
Black Mtn 8 Mile Loop is a 8 mile popular intermediate route located near Poway California. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 7 trails. This route climbs 1,412 ft with a max elevation of 1,415 ft then descends -1,419 ft.
Local Trail Association
Local trail association
San Diego Mountain Biking Association (sdmba.com)
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20 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
evanrls (Feb 3, 2023 at 10:13)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
Miners could use a little love. There are some deep ruts from the big January rain. Totally rideable but some sections where it gets a little sketchy.
[Reply]
  • + 1
coachzed (Jan 27, 2023 at 12:34)
Trail Black Widow
Well-built trail and fun features that aren't common on other trails in the area. Note that there are 3-4 rock-gardeny sections that have become pretty chunky and a ~4ft rock roll. The lack of any ride-around bypasses for those features makes this a black trail in my book.
[Reply]
  • - 1
bocomtb (Sep 22, 2022 at 23:22)
Trail Black Widow
Really well built trail. The grade reversals and flat sections are a little annoying but well built rock sections and plenty of optional hits make up for it. Easy to get a bunch of laps in since the fire road is a fast climb.
[Reply]
  • + 0
C4SEM4N (Jul 31, 2022 at 11:15)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
No fun.
[Reply]
  • + 2
patrickohalloran (Mar 3, 2022 at 9:52)
Trail Black Widow
This is currently my favorite trail in San Diego. It's so much fun as an intermediate mountain biker. I still walk a couple points of it, but the trail work is phenomenal!
[Reply]
  • + 1
Donikimi (Feb 8, 2022 at 13:03)
Trail Black Widow
Recent trail work made it better. I sometimes fear that I might puncture my light casing tire.
[Reply]
  • + 0
fpecan (Dec 23, 2021 at 16:43)
Trail Black Widow
Rode today from out of town. Sick trail. Some annoying little uphill kickers up top and half way through but it’s well built and has some interesting rock features. Lapped it thrice and had a great time.

Generally well maintained with the exception of some rock gardens that have been ruined by people riding around them.
[Reply]
  • + 1
josephtorres84 (May 10, 2021 at 23:43)
Trail Black Widow
Great spot to ride !
[Reply]
  • + 3
mattyj2001 (Apr 25, 2021 at 17:49)
Trail Black Widow
Be sure to pick a good line and look ahead. I munched it twice on this trail because I was concerned more about the few drops and didn't look ahead to the landings. D'oh! This trail is not forgiving to those of us that don't pay enough attention. Ha ha.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ryanh4CtSA (Feb 27, 2021 at 11:41)
Trail Nighthawk Connector
Do-able on a hardtail, just pick your lines carefully
[Reply]
  • + 2
Outdoorsd (Jan 8, 2021 at 13:27)
Trail Black Widow
Hats off to the SDMBA trail crew for this one. Nice mix of terrain, the paver turns are a blast, the tech sections are fun, and there are a couple nice let loose straight line sections. Two thumbs up.
[Reply]
  • + 2
IsaiahSimon1406 (Oct 11, 2020 at 14:06)
Trail Nighthawk Connector
Yes this is seriously a black even tho it is a connector
[Reply]
  • + 5
cosborne74 (Aug 1, 2020 at 14:53)
Trail Black Widow
Actually super fun trail. They did a good job. One of the better downhills in the county. Could use some jumps though. Outside of the top steps section on miners, I feel this has a little more tech. Comparing this to ratings of other trails in SD, I’d call this a black diamond trail. Not Whistler black, but SD black.
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Jul 19, 2020 at 19:25)
Trail Nighthawk Connector
Nighthawk connector is very easy at the top but after you make it through the first turn, you quickly understand why this is black diamond. I ride all over Black Mountain and have ridden a lot of trails in Los Penasquitos and its one of the most chunky trails I have encountered. The top half is very technical with about four rocky drops but all very easy for an expert. The bottom half of the trail is very easy...
[Reply]
  • + 2
NFLPhD (Jul 3, 2020 at 14:32)
Trail Black Widow
There are several rocky technical sections and the rest is fairly flowy. Nice ride downhill if you are an intermediate or above. No beginners unless you want to walk through several sections. Access up via the fire road just northeast of Black Mountain Middle School. Great sunset views. Watch out for the hikers!!!
[Reply]
  • + 4
budgetmtb (May 28, 2020 at 10:04)
Trail Black Widow
I wouldn't say this is a true flow trail with smooth and fast jumps and berms. It has a lot of tech mixed in with some flow. Super fun though.
[Reply]
  • + 1
budgetmtb (May 26, 2020 at 21:11)
Trail Nighthawk Connector
The climb is very possible, but definitely hike-a-bike.
[Reply]
  • - 1
jeff92104 (Nov 28, 2018 at 21:00)
Trail Nighthawk Connector
A fast, technical, fun downhill. Looks like a miserable climb up.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Jnunez (Mar 31, 2018 at 15:14)
Trail Miner's Loop Connector
Suuuuper loose
[Reply]
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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Black Mountain
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Blue
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes
  • Bike type
    DH, AM, DJ
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Moderate
  • Ridelogs
    69
More Stats for Black Mtn 8 Mile Loop mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    620 ft
  • Altitude start
    722 ft
  • Altitude end
    715 ft
  • Grade max
    -56%
  • Grade min
    32.9%
  • Distance climb
    4 miles
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    2,444 ft
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Videos

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UNCUT Black Widow - Adaptive MTB - Black...
UNCUT Black Widow - Adaptive MTB - Black Mountain - San Diego, CA
11:38 | 62 | comments: 0 | favs:
Nov 24, 2022
UNP94 Black Widow - Adaptive MTB - San Diego, CA
UNP94 Black Widow - Adaptive MTB - San Diego, CA
7:44 | 37 | comments: 0 | favs:
Nov 22, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Black Widow
Mar 13, 2023 @ 4:57am
Mar 13, 2023
Maler Dirt Climb
Mar 5, 2023 @ 8:14am
Mar 5, 2023
A little wet on 3/5/2023
Miner's Loop Connector
Feb 18, 2023 @ 11:09pm
Feb 18, 2023
A couple washed out sections
Soccer Balls
Feb 10, 2023 @ 4:28am
Feb 10, 2023
Miners-Nighthawk Connector
Feb 3, 2023 @ 3:05am
Feb 3, 2023
more reports »
  • By melmikulak & contributors
  • #34300 - 174 views