more stats
1.7 miles
Distance
171 ft
Climb
-337 ft
Descent
00:28:29
Avg time
-165 ft
Altitude change
3,850 ft
Altitude min
4,121 ft
Altitude max
4,121 ft
Altitude start
3,957 ft
Altitude end
-1.9%
Grade
-16.7%
Grade max
10.6%
Grade min
3,691 ft
Distance climb
4,741 ft
Distance down
335 ft
Distance flat
00:28:29
Avg time

Saddle Loop Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Tea Creek Area
    Marlinton, West Virginia
  • Ref Number
    #448
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #194004 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #358909 in Trail Running
    • #348003 in Hiking
  • State Ranking
    #799 in Mountain Biking · West Virginia [+]
    • #1,760 in Trail Running
    • #1,786 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular In Reverse
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • TTFs on Trail
    Bridge, Rock Garden
  • Land Owner

The preferred access for the Saddle Loop Trail is via Bannock Shoals Road (FR 135) off of Mine Road (FR 24). It’s ideal to ride it as a loop with the Boundary Trail and Turkey Point Trail, descending back to the Bannock Shoals trailhead. That said, it’s a fun and challenging ride in both directions. The trail winds through mature forests and rhododendron thickets, featuring rolling grade reversals, technical rock gardens, and a balanced mix of climbs and descents.

Access Info

Bannock Shoals, FR 135, or Turkey Point Trail

Tags
BridgesRock gardensViews

Trail Supporters

Local Trail Association

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 2 rides
  • 19 miles avg distance
All
  • 11 rides
  • Last: Sep 15, 2026
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Saddle Loop Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Oct 22, 2026 @ 12:10pm (America/Indiana/Vevay)
Oct 22, 2026
Jul 30, 2025 @ 12:41pm
Jul 30, 2025
Brushed and leaf blown. This trail is a fun ride when descending off of Turkey Point
Jul 23, 2025 @ 11:20am
Jul 23, 2025
Clear of all downed trees
Aug 4, 2024 @ 3:52am
Aug 4, 2024
One tree down over trail...this was a fun adventure!
more »
Status:
on Oct 22, 2026
Variable
Avg: 4 (2 votes)
Your vote: 0

view (54)
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      Directions to saddle-loop trailhead (38.364360, -80.217800)

      Photos

      2 more »
      mtb
      105 |
      Oct 5, 2025 @ 5:04pm
      Oct 5, 2025
      mtb
      98 |
      Oct 5, 2025 @ 5:04pm
      Oct 5, 2025

      Videos

      no videos have been added for Saddle Loop yet, add a video.

      Routes with this trail

      ★ 5.0 • 3 miles • 537 ft • 1 • Loop •
      This loop is an absolute blast. It’s short but definitely worth the trip if you’re exploring Mine Road...
      34 miles • 4,811 ft • 8 •
      Alternate route option for SlatyFork Enduro Race with 7 Stages and 2 Shuttles.
      43 miles • 5,338 ft • 18 •
      This route, designated an IMBA EPIC, is a challenging backcountry ride on the Monongahela National Forest...
      4.0 ★★★★★
      2 Ratings
      5 ★
      4 ★ 100%
      3 ★
      2 ★
      1 ★

      Reviews / Comments

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      ▼ Where is Saddle Loop located?
      Saddle Loop is located in Tea Creek Area, Marlinton, West Virginia, United States. It is part of the Tea Creek Area trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 38.36436, -80.2178.
      ▼ How hard is Saddle Loop?
      Saddle Loop is rated as Blue difficulty. The average grade is 1.9%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
      ▼ What is the elevation gain for Saddle Loop?
      Saddle Loop has 171 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 337 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 3,850 ft to 4,121 ft.
      ▼ Is Saddle Loop a point to point trail?
      Saddle Loop is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ How long is Saddle Loop?
      Saddle Loop is 1.7 miles long. The trail type is singletrack.
      ▼ Are dogs allowed on Saddle Loop?
      Yes, dogs are allowed on Saddle Loop. Please keep dogs on a leash where required and clean up after them.
      ▼ When is the best time of year to ride Saddle Loop?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride Saddle Loop are:
      • August (7 activities)
      • June (1 activities)
      • July (1 activities)
      Check the reports page for current trail conditions.
      ▼ How do I access Saddle Loop? Where is the closest parking trailhead?
      The closest parking and trailhead locations to Saddle Loop are: View all parking locations in the area.
      ▼ How long does it take to ride Saddle Loop?
      Based on recorded activities, it takes an average of 28 minutes to ride Saddle Loop. The trail is 1.7 miles long. Actual times will vary based on fitness level, conditions, and pace. View recent activity logs for more details.
      ▼ How busy is Saddle Loop?
      Saddle Loop is a very popular trail. There have been 54 recorded activities on this trail. The trail has received 54 check-ins. View recent activity on this trail.

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