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4.5 miles
Distance
719 ft
Climb
-1,802 ft
Descent
00:51:37
Avg time
-1,083 ft
Altitude change
1,622 ft
Altitude min
3,188 ft
Altitude max
2,705 ft
Altitude start
1,621 ft
Altitude end
-4.5%
Grade
-57.2%
Grade max
36.1%
Grade min
1 mile
Distance climb
3 miles
Distance down
915 ft
Distance flat
00:51:37
Avg time
Kitsuma Details
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Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
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Riding AreaKitsuma-Bernard Mountain Area
Old Fort, North Carolina -
Difficulty Rating
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Voted DifficultyBlue (4 votes)
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Local Popularity100 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 80 in Trail Running
- 60 in Hiking
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Global Ranking
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Trail TypeSingletrack
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Bike TypeAM, XC
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DirectionDownhill PrimaryPopular Direction Shown
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Climb DifficultyBlack Diamond
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Physical RatingHard
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SeasonYear Round
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Dogs AllowedYes
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eBike Allowed
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TTFs on TrailBerm, Jump, Rock Garden
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Land Owner
Kitsuma is a point to point singletrack trail that has what was originally machine groomed tread, but over time this has evolved into a rougher experience. A steep, punchy switchback filled climb from Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, followed by downhill ridgeline trail to the parking lot of Old Fort Picnic Area. It can be accessed from the base at Old Fort Picnic Grounds or the base of the upper climb.
Access Info
Two parking areas - Kitsuma parking lot via Royal Gorge Rd or Old Fort Picnic Area. The climb from Old Fort picnic area can be either up Old Hwy 70/ Point Lookout Trail (USFS gated paved greenway next to Piney Grove Church) or Mill Creek Road (paved then turns to gravel) for a longer climb.
Trail Supporters
USFSLand Manager
Local Trail Association
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Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to supportDonate to earn trail karma!
trail development & maintenance.
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
Recent Activity on Trail
Past Week
- 7 rides
- 14 miles average
6 Months
- 243 rides
- 17 miles avg distance
All
- 927 rides
- Last: Sep 7, 2026
| c1 | c2 | c3 | c4 |
|---|---|---|---|
January | February | March | April |
May | June | July | August |
September | October | November | December |
Kitsuma Trail Reports
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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.
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
Trail Last Used
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
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Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
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Activity Recordings
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Activity Recordings
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Directions to kitsuma trailhead
(35.621150, -82.268390)
Photos
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Videos
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Routes with this trail
★ 4.0 • 9 miles • 1,614 ft • 2 •
The trail starts at the trailhead through a gentle forest road next to Interstate 40 then quickly goes...
9 miles • 2,523 ft • 1 •
15 miles • 2,397 ft • 4 • Shuttled •
One of our favorite Old Fort routes combines the legendary with Lower Heartbreak. Get 4 great downhill...
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Nearby Trails
- Mill Creek Road 1,801 ft
- Parris Creek Trail 2 miles
- Bernard Mountain Road 2 miles
- East Ridge Trail 3 miles
- Old Mitchell Toll Road 3 miles
Kitsuma-Bernard Mountain Area
- By blowmyfuse
& contributors - #39628 - 31,569 views
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