more stats
2.3 miles
Distance
314 ft
Climb
-271 ft
Descent
00:31:50
Avg time
44 ft
Altitude change
272 ft
Altitude min
387 ft
Altitude max
344 ft
Altitude start
387 ft
Altitude end
0.4%
Grade
-20.1%
Grade max
21.7%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
4,551 ft
Distance down
1,398 ft
Distance flat
00:31:50
Avg time

First Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    New Light Trails
    Wake Forest, North Carolina
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    65 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 50 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #86033 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #111282 in Trail Running
    • #131927 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular In Reverse
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Not very Technical but lots of ups and downs.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 23 miles average
6 Months
  • 57 rides
  • 14 miles avg distance
All
  • 307 rides
  • Last: Sep 20, 2026
Status:
on May 15, 2026
Avg: 3.57 (7 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (2,151)
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      Directions to first-loop trailhead (36.028390, -78.677950)

      Photos

      13 more »
      mtb
      26 |
      Jun 9, 2026 @ 6:14am
      Jun 9, 2026
      report
      mtb
      204 |
      Jun 30, 2019 @ 10:45am
      Jun 30, 2019
      report
      mtb
      221 |
      Jun 30, 2019 @ 10:44am
      Jun 30, 2019
      report
      mtb
      234 |
      Jun 30, 2019 @ 10:44am
      Jun 30, 2019

      Videos

      1 more »
      New Light Trails - First Loop
      mtb
      0:20 | 57 | Apr 4, 2026 , Wake Forest

      Routes with this trail

      4.0 9 miles 1,043 ft 10 Loop
      New Light Full Tour including the extra Credit Loop
      3.5
      7 Ratings
      5 14%
      4 29%
      3 43%
      2 14%
      1

      4 Reviews & Comments

      etasber
      Not very fun. Trail has not aged well. Several trees look like they've been down for quite a while. Way too many roots. Some roots are fun. This trail is full of not-fun roots. Just annoying speed bumps. As a first-timer, there is no chance to go fast on this trail. Even in the spring with no leaves, poor sight lines and trail is full of turn after turn after turn. There are some fun features on the trail, but the trail surface is too bumpy and rooty to really try those features as a first-timer. The local ground was very dry but still several wet muddy spots on this trail.
      jeremymedeiros
      Lots and lots of hills, technical decents be prepared to ride here. Not recommended for beginner riders, im an intermediate rider and i feel done even after this section of new light, will have to come back again after i get more experince
      Scoobybri
      Trails starts to the right of the trailhead gate. I made the mistake of riding from the other side off of the main fire road. Lots of steep rooty climbs riding it backwards that I lost momentum on and had to push. Wouldn't have had the same problem if I had had started at the trailhead.

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      Where is First Loop located?
      First Loop is located in New Light Trails, Wake Forest, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the New Light Trails trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 36.02839, -78.67795.
      How hard is First Loop?
      First Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The average grade is 0.4%.
      What is the elevation gain for First Loop?
      First Loop has 314 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 271 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 272 ft to 387 ft.
      Is First Loop a point to point trail?
      First Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      How long is First Loop?
      First Loop is 2.3 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      Are dogs allowed on First Loop?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on First Loop. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      How do I access First Loop? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to First Loop are: View all parking locations in the area.
      How long does it take to ride First Loop?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 37 minutes to ride First Loop. The trail is 2.3 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      How busy is First Loop?
      First Loop is a moderately popular trail. There have been 1,962 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 2,151 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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