more stats
2,923 ft
Distance
8 ft
Climb
-24 ft
Descent
00:11:07
Avg time
-16 ft
Altitude change
592 ft
Altitude min
616 ft
Altitude max
608 ft
Altitude start
594 ft
Altitude end
-0.5%
Grade
-9%
Grade max
3%
Grade min
594 ft
Distance climb
653 ft
Distance down
1,677 ft
Distance flat
00:11:07
Avg time

Knife Edge Details

  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Mountain Bike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area
    Sturbridge, Massachusetts
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond Rate
  • Local Popularity
    40 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 90 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #142204 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #159919 in Trail Running
    • #16844 in Hiking
  • State Ranking
    #2,412 in Mountain Biking · Massachusetts [+]
    • #5,662 in Trail Running
    • #263 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T2 Mountain Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Double Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Extreme
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop, Rock Face, Rock Garden

This is the newest trail at Leadmine and will push you to control limits. Knife Edge can be accessed from both directions off Arbutus Park. Traveling South to North will start on smooth single track into a few switchbacks then right into the ridge rock garden. Serious trials skills required to climb most likely 'hike a bike', for most. From North to South is more downhill option with again trials skills needed to descend. At the high point on this trail great views of the Hamant Brook are available to those brave enough to attempt.

Disclaimer

Caution, primarily a hiking trail, double black difficulty for MTB

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 1 rides
  • 11 miles avg distance
All
  • 61 rides
  • Last: Jul 18, 2026
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Knife Edge Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Nov 12, 2023 @ 7:05am
Nov 12, 2023
 Trail is in really good shape. Some of the leaves make the HAB sections a bit slippery. Truly a challenge to clean some of the obstacles (very...
Jan 25, 2021 @ 9:59am
Jan 25, 2021
 More of a hiking trail. Great view. The trail along the top is not rideable maybe with a trials bike maybe
Sep 12, 2020 @ 11:16am
Sep 12, 2020
 reporter Trail is epic. I'd love to see an elite rider clean this. HAB about 33% of the way for me, but a beautiful trail and very much worth it.
Sep 4, 2020 @ 12:49pm
Sep 4, 2020
Rejected
HIKE-A-BIKE most of the way, unless your got for real serious mad skills.
Aug 28, 2020 @ 3:19pm
Aug 28, 2020
 reporter In great shape ... but that doesn't make this trail (which prob should be a double-diamond) any easier. Was still cool to experience.
more »
Status:
on Nov 12, 2023
Ideal
Avg: 4.17 (5 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (252)
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      Directions to knife-edge trailhead (42.091350, -72.097750)
      View on Discover Map

      Photos

      2 more »
      mtb
      177 |
      Sep 12, 2020 @ 5:00pm
      Sep 12, 2020
      mtb
      334 |
      Mar 30, 2019 @ 4:00pm
      Mar 30, 2019

      Videos

      no videos have been added for Knife Edge yet, add a video.

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Routes with this trail

      4
      SCMA NEMBA Trek Sturbridge 2025 - Advanced
      12 miles • 1,084 ft • 13 • Loop •
      This is the ADVANCED arrowed loop for the 2025 SCMA NEMBA Trek Sturbridge Adventure Series Ride.
      4
      SCMA NEMBA Trek Sturbridge 2025 - Advanced
      13 miles • 1,461 ft • 15 • Loop •
      This is the ADVANCED arrowed loop for the 2025 SCMA NEMBA Trek Sturbridge Adventure Series Ride.
      4.4 ★★★★★
      5 Ratings
      5 ★ 80%
      4 ★
      3 ★
      2 ★ 20%
      1 ★

      Reviews / Comments

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      Nearby Trails

      Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area

      • By NickSokolTF Pro SCMA & contributors
      • #175118 - 3,888 views

      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Knife Edge located?
      Knife Edge is located in Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Leadmine Mountain Conservation Area trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 42.09135, -72.09775.
      ▼ How hard is Knife Edge?
      Knife Edge is rated as Black Diamond difficulty. The physical rating is Extreme. The average grade is 0.5%. The climb difficulty is rated Double Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Knife Edge?
      Knife Edge has 8 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 24 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 592 ft to 616 ft.
      ▼ Is Knife Edge a point to point trail?
      Knife Edge is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Knife Edge?
      Knife Edge is 2,923 ft long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Knife Edge?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Knife Edge. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Knife Edge?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Knife Edge are:
      • September (3 activities)
      • October (3 activities)
      • May (2 activities)
      Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
      ▼ How do I access Knife Edge? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Knife Edge are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Knife Edge?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 11 minutes to ride Knife Edge. The trail is 2,923 ft long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Knife Edge?
      Knife Edge is a moderately popular trail. There have been 242 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 252 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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