more stats
5.1 miles
Distance
374 ft
Climb
-369 ft
Descent
00:37:12
Avg time
3 ft
Altitude change
192 ft
Altitude min
327 ft
Altitude max
307 ft
Altitude start
312 ft
Altitude end
-17.9%
Grade max
15.6%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
3,960 ft
Distance flat
00:37:12
Avg time

Brown Wave Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Forks Area Trail System (FATS)
    Clarks Hills, South Carolina
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Green (1 vote)
  • Local Popularity
    95 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 90 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #35667 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #44725 in Trail Running
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Easy
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • Land Owner
    USDA

The Brown Wave gets its name because it feels like surfing on a bike. Lots of whoop-de-doos and the least climbing of any loop make it one of the most popular.

Careful at The Dip down by the river. When you see the sign that says DANGER - slow down

Access Info

While Skinny is closed, Brown Wave can be accessed via Fire Road 002 from the South Parking Lot. Look out for the Connector 3 on the right, which connects Fire Road 002 to Brown Wave.

Disclaimer

Please note that Brown Wave is open.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 5 miles average
6 Months
  • 40 rides
  • 16 miles avg distance
All
  • 328 rides
  • Last: Sep 10, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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update trails status or condition

Brown Wave Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Feb 17, 2026 @ 3:28pm (America/Kentucky/Monticello)
Feb 17, 2026
Few wet/ greasy spots
Sep 5, 2025 @ 9:27am
Sep 5, 2025
The trail is open!! I rode the trail today and it's completely open. Thanks to everyone who took the time to clear all of the many fallen trees....
Jul 6, 2025 @ 4:48pm
Jul 6, 2025
If traveling on the trail clockwise, the trail is only 1/3 open. Once you get to the second fire road, the trail is blocked by down trees.
Feb 26, 2025 @ 8:14am
Feb 26, 2025
Small tree down on brown wave.
Jan 8, 2025 @ 5:08pm
Jan 8, 2025
Trail is closed due to significant damage from Hurricane Helene.
more »
Status:
on Feb 17, 2026
Variable
Avg: 4.26 (13 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
  • bi-directional trail
  • no data
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  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
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The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to brown-wave trailhead (33.595290, -82.077020)

        Photos

        22 more »
        mtb
        156 |
        May 26, 2022 @ 3:08pm
        May 26, 2022
        mtb
        147 |
        May 26, 2022 @ 3:08pm
        May 26, 2022
        mtb
        123 |
        Jul 18, 2021 @ 12:41am
        Jul 18, 2021
        mtb
        92 |
        Jul 4, 2020 @ 8:51am
        Jul 4, 2020

        Videos

        4 more »
        FATS - Brown Wave
        mtb
        0:02 | 459 | Aug 20, 2022 , Clarks Hills
        Ridin’ Skinny and surfin’ a Brown Wave at...
        mtb
        12:42 | 492 | Aug 17, 2021 , Clarks Hills
        Underexposed EP 16 - Forks Area Trail System, SC
        mtb
        2:55 | 293 | Jul 15, 2021 , Clarks Hills
        youtuber Mountain Biking: Big Brown Wave, FATS, Augusta, SC
        mtb
        0:41 | 977 | Jan 25, 2020 , Clarks Hills
        4.4
        13 Ratings
        5 69%
        4 15%
        3 8%
        2
        1 8%

        3 Reviews & Comments

        jduffey63 jduffey63
        In relatively good shape considering the rains on the weekend and Monday.
        Trails need some love brushing and drains. Brushing is really needed as in some place it grows over the trail
        ajriding ajriding
        The trail is like all the other trails; less climbs, but the same build style as everything here. Good trail and of course worth doing. Good lake view at one point and with a bench to take a break and enjoy the view... or is it a river?
        I had to access via the gravel road bc of construction on the Skinny trail had access via Skinny closed. The gravel road is a good climb coming back up if you are looking for hill repeats. If having to bypass Skinny trail then take the gravel road down and the "power lines" trailhead entrance will be very obvious, it is the big power lines, not the little residential ones, you will look for, is where the road flattens out.
        906Yooper906 906Yooper906
        None of what I will say is bad. This trail does not have big long steep gnarly downhills and it’s not a flow trail IMO but it has a good XC flow to it. I actually was surprised at the features on the trail they added some fun. A great trail for an HT or single speed. If choosing a full squish something short travel is more than sufficient

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        Frequently Asked Questions

        Where is Brown Wave located?
        Brown Wave is located in Forks Area Trail System (FATS), Clarks Hills, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS) trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.59529, -82.07702.
        How hard is Brown Wave?
        Brown Wave is rated as Green difficulty. The physical rating is Easy. The climb difficulty is rated Green.
        What is the elevation gain for Brown Wave?
        Brown Wave has 374 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 369 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 192 ft to 327 ft.
        Is Brown Wave a point to point trail?
        Brown Wave is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
        How long is Brown Wave?
        Brown Wave is 5.1 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
        Are dogs allowed on Brown Wave?
        Yes, dogs are allowed on Brown Wave. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
        How do I access Brown Wave? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
        The closest parking and trailhead locations to Brown Wave are: View all parking locations in the area.
        How long does it take to ride Brown Wave?
        Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 42 minutes to ride Brown Wave. The trail is 5.1 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
        How busy is Brown Wave?
        Brown Wave is a very popular trail. There have been 1,867 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 3,090 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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