9.4 miles
Distance
1,614 ft
Climb
-1,691 ft
Descent
3,165 ft
High Point
-77 ft
Altitude change
1,618 ft
Altitude min
2,762 ft
Altitude start
2,687 ft
Altitude end
-0.2%
Grade
-60.2%
Grade max
69.7%
Grade min
6 miles
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
443 ft
Distance flat

The trail starts at the Kitsuma trailhead through a gentle forest road next to Interstate 40 then quickly goes straight up as the 14 switchbacks hammer your thighs. When the forest floor is somewhat dry, it's possible, but challenging, to clear all of the switchbacks on the way to Kitsuma Peak. After the initial ascent, enjoy being fooled by a quick downhill before being greeted by the second, steep but short climb. After the two lung-busters, there is a beautiful, mellow ridge ride where you are graced by some nice views of Mt. Mitchell before you start the hair-raising descent.

The legendary 2.8 mile downhill towards the Old Fort picnic area begins with a rocky descent into a quick left-hand switchback. Water bars, doubles, drops and a couple of berms accent the ridiculously fast, sometimes narrow and flowy track through the forest. If the trail is wet, watch the roots on the trail as they may have the urge to throw your wheel off the skinny sections of trail.

Once you wipe the grin off your face in the Old Fort picnic area, turn left on Old US 70, and then take the first left into a paved road closed to motor vehicles. Follow this winding 5 mile mellow climb and then hang a left back on Royal George Road back to the Kitsuma trailhead.

Detailed Description
Kitsuma is a 9 mile popular expert route located near Old Fort North Carolina. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 2 trails. This route climbs 1,614 ft with a max elevation of 3,165 ft then descends -1,691 ft.

Local Trail Association

Local trail association
G5 Trail Collective (www.g5trailcollective.org)
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Stats

  • Distance
    9 miles
  • Avg time
    1 hr 30 min
  • Altitude change
    -77 ft
  • Altitude min
    1,618 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,762 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,687 ft
  • Climb
    1,614 ft
  • Descent
    -1,691 ft
  • Grade
    -0.2%
  • Grade max
    -60.2%
  • Grade min
    69.7%
  • Distance climb
    6 miles
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    443 ft

32 Reviews & Comments

Benp00Cbn
Fun ride if you have limited time, definitely well balanced as far as climb to descent ratio. The climb back to the parking area is easy, and usually I hate a climb at the end of a ride
hippymtnbkr hippymtnbkr
Since when did the 3.6 mile point lookout trail, turn into five miles?
btsgw
Brutal climb and not nearly the pain too play ratio of other Pisgah routes.

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Trails in Route

Details

  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Black Diamond
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Activity Logs
    1,837
Avg: 4 (5 votes)
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Trail transparency
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  • Paved

Photos

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Videos

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youtuber Mountain Biking Kitsuma, First Ride In Pisgah
mtb
Mountain Biking Kitsuma, First Ride In Pisgah
trail: Kitsuma
10:23 | 1134 | comments: 0 | favs:
Oct 23, 2018
youtuber Heartbreak Ridge Breaks Me?
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Heartbreak Ridge Breaks Me?
trail: Kitsuma
15:37 | 987 | comments: 0 | favs:
Nov 6, 2018

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

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Kitsuma
Oct 9, 2026 @ 10:20am (America/Kentucky/Monticello)
Oct 9, 2026
Primo conditions
Point Lookout Greenway
Sep 27, 2026 @ 2:22pm (America/Kentucky/Monticello)
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  • By matts67 & contributors
  • #8181 - 14,139 views

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