Mountain Bike

← Activity Beta

2 miles

Distance

68 ft

Climb

-1,603 ft

Descent

00:34:41

Avg time

Trail Supporters, Builders & Maintainers of Pilot Rock Trail

USFS
Land Manager

Pilot Rock Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Pisgah Ranger District
Brevard, North Carolina
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond rate
Trail Type

Singletrack
Bike Type

DH, AM, XC
Trail Usage

Biking Primary
Direction

Downhill Primary
Popular direction shown
Climb Difficulty

Double Black Diamond
Physical Rating

Extreme
Season

Year Round
Dogs Allowed

Yes
TTFs on Trail

Rock Face, Rock Garden
Ride in Rain

Yes
Global Ranking

#2128 in Mountain Biking
Local Popularity
75 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
Land Manager

USFS

Descends from the peak via rough technical singletrack before coming to a nice overlook of the surrounding areas. From there the dirt disappears into a descent over a massive technical rock garden following tight switchbacks down the rock face before returning to faster rough singletrack towards the bottom.

Primarily downhill, it's difficulty rating is well earned and not for the timid. A very fun route and well worth the time.

Local Trail Association

Pisgah Area SORBA (www.pisgahareasorba.org)
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support trail development & maintenance.
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More Stats for Pilot Rock bike trail

Altitude change

-1,535 ft
Altitude min

3,318 ft
Altitude max

4,853 ft
Altitude start

4,853 ft
Altitude end

3,318 ft
Grade

-13.109%
Grade max

-42.97%
Grade min

26.689%
Distance climb

860 ft
Distance down

2 miles
Distance flat

333 ft
Avg time

00:34:41
Avg reverse time

00:23:45
view trail stats

Status:

on Sep 12, 2019

Wet

Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.

Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.

The intended direction a trail should be ridden.

Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.

Trailforks scans ridelogs 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. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.

Trail Difficulties

Access Road/Trail
White
Green
Blue
Black
Double Black Diamond

Trail Report Status

Clear / Green
Minor Issue / Yellow
Significant Issue / Amber
Closed

Land Owner Overlay
Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
BLM (public)
USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
State land
Indigenous
Military

Trail Conditions

Unknown
Snow Groomed
Snow Packed
Snow Covered
Freeze/thaw Cycle
Icy
Prevalent Mud
Wet
Variable
Ideal
Dry
Very Dry

Past Week

2 rides
28 miles avg distance

6 Months

111 rides
17 miles avg distance

Photos

80 |

Apr 23, 2019 @ 4:19pm

Apr 23, 2019

83 |

Apr 23, 2019 @ 4:19pm

Apr 23, 2019

46 |

Oct 20, 2018 @ 1:24pm

Oct 20, 2018

39 |

Oct 20, 2018 @ 1:24pm

Oct 20, 2018

Routes with this trail

title	rating	distance
Pisgah Full Send		42 miles
Laurel/Pilot		13 miles
Pisgah 42 Miler		42 miles
Freehub Magazine: Laurel Pilot Rock		9 miles

2 Reviews & Comments

Score Time

LegitBiker9000 (May 10, 2019 at 8:30)

This is another great classic Pisgah, i would argue more difficult than what riders experience on the lower sections, however, just like every other pisgah trail, you get soaking wet. Also there are a few hike-a-bike sections, but overall amazing trail!

[Reply]

BradyEssary (Oct 14, 2019 at 10:04)

This past weekend was my first time riding Pilot Rock. While the rocks and descent weren't a surprise, the amount and difficulty of the switchbacks did surprise me, as did how tight the trail was from the brush. The last hike-a-bike section towards the top of Laurel Mtn was no joke either.

[Reply]

Videos

Baldwin Field Branch 15 miles
Lamby's Loop 15 miles
Pish Loop 16 miles
Biltmore Lake Connector 16 miles
Brit Rd. 16 miles

Pisgah Ranger District

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#35522 - 3,688 views

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status	date	description
	Sep 12, 2019 @ 8:53am Sep 12, 2019	This trail can only be ridden one way. Down. If you go up it will be a hike a bike. It is a rock garden all the way.
	May 5, 2019 @ 8:47am May 5, 2019
	Mar 28, 2019 @ 8:24am Mar 28, 2019
	Nov 4, 2018 @ 7:22am Nov 4, 2018
	Sep 3, 2018 @ 7:06am Sep 3, 2018	Two trees down. Slightly before & after the rock outcropping switchback where most regroup.

Pilot Rock