Sidewinder

Sidewinder is one of Kingdom Trails’ Top Ten trails in the Trailforks Global Trail Rankings. The ranking is done by an algorithm that takes into account a number of uniform criteria that defines popularity amongst trail users world-wide.

Sidewinder is, arguably, Kingdom Trails’ most iconic trail. This is a must do

It is so beloved that, when access to the trail was threatened, the mountain biking community from around the world came together to save the trail by raising enough money to buy the land on which the trail is.

The approach is quite long and uneventful, but when you get to the business part of Sidewinder, pay attention!

Sidewinder zig-zags down a steep gulley, climbing high up the sides of the gulley with each zig and zag. The key to riding Sidewinder successfully is to stay away from your brakes and to maintain speed down the steep side slopes of the gulley. You will need the momentum to get up the other side! The g-forces generated each time you pull through the bottom of the gulley is legendary! The surface is generally firm but the berms at the top of each turn can get somewhat rutted out at times. Those bermed turns are at a steep incline and can be deceptive, especially if you have lost too much speed approaching them. Be awake!

Once you are done with Sidewinder, you can climb back up to the top at Market Cafe via the switchback trail, West Bench. You may want to do this if you have not yet done Bear Back. Alternatively you can go out on West Branch and back up to the top at Market Cafe via Hogback and Piggyback. Staying on West Branch will take you back to River Run from where you can get back to The Wildflower Inn are via Fox Run or Burrington Bench and Bemis.

Access Info

Sidewinder can be accessed from the Market Café area (the main intersection between Violet's Outback, Hog Back, Old Web's Etc). From the Market Café go northwest on the short doubletrack Hogback / Sidewinder Access, then turn left on Sidewinder, just before Piggy Back and the start of the Hog Back singletrack.