Carolina Singletrack Circuit

Mountain Biking Edition

4 Days / 3 Nights + Optional 2-Day Add-On

Start / End: Charlotte, NC

Ideal For: Intermediate–advanced riders (trail, enduro, XC)

Van Fit: Revel-class with hitch rack

Trip Focus: Ride quality, not mileage

Total Driving (Core): ~320–380 miles roundtrip

CORE TRIP — 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS

Day 1 / Night 1 – DuPont State Recreational Forest (Brevard)

Fast flow, granite slabs, perfect warm-up

Drive: ~2.5–3 hrs (Charlotte → Brevard)

Ride Focus

Primary Loops

• Ridgeline → Hooker Creek

• Big Rock → Cedar Rock (conditions permitting)

• Reasonover Creek (flowy descent)

Why DuPont First

• World-class trail density

• Rideable in most conditions

• Excellent confidence builder for the trip

Overnight Options

Recommended (Reservable):

• Lake Powhatan Campground (Pisgah NF)

  Showers, easy access to Brevard, reliable anchor.

Alternate (More Remote):

• Davidson River Campground (first-come, river access)

Post-Ride Food (Brevard)

• The Square Root – Rider-friendly, casual, excellent recovery meal

• 12 Bones Smokehouse (if passing through Asheville)

Day 2 / Night 2 – Pisgah National Forest (Bent Creek → Black Mountain)

Technical climbs, long descents, earned mileage

Drive: ~25–35 min from Brevard

Ride Focus

Choose Based on Legs

• Bent Creek (flow + mileage): Greens Lick, Ingles Field Gap

• Black Mountain Loop (advanced): Clawhammer → Black → Thrift Cove

Why This Day Matters

This is the hardest ride of the core trip—long climbs, technical terrain, big payoffs.

Overnight Options

Recommended (Reservable):

• Lake Powhatan Campground (stay put, easier recovery)

Alternate (Adventure Leaning):

• Yellow Gap Road dispersed sites (legal pull-offs only; weather dependent)

Post-Ride Food

• Brevard or Asheville dinner (don’t overthink it—eat early, hydrate, sleep)

Day 3 / Night 3 – Kanuga Bike Park OR Ride Rock Creek

Gravity day or skills reset

Drive: ~1 hr (Brevard → Hendersonville / Zirconia)

Ride Options (Pick One)

Option A – Kanuga Bike Park

• Lift-served gravity laps

• Ideal for downhill/enduro riders

• Bike park changes the muscle groups—worth it mid-trip

Option B – Ride Rock Creek

• Natural technical trails, fewer crowds

• More pedal, more isolation

Overnight Options

Recommended (Reservable):

• Green River Cove Campground

  Close to Kanuga/Ride Rock, quiet, rider-friendly.

Alternate:

• Private campgrounds near Saluda (flexibility + showers)

Post-Ride Food

• Flat Rock / Hendersonville casual dining

• Keep it simple—tomorrow is a transition day

Day 4 – Return to Charlotte

Drive: ~2.5 hrs

Optional Morning Spin

• Short recovery ride or mobility/stretch session

• Coffee stop in Brevard or Hendersonville

OPTIONAL ADD-ON — 2 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

Western NC Advanced Extension

Bigger terrain, fewer riders, deeper commitment

Add-On Day 5 / Night 4 – Fire Mountain Trails (Cherokee / Sylva)

Flow meets technical in a compact system

Drive: ~2.5 hrs from Kanuga area

Ride Focus

• Spearfinger → Cherokee Loop

• Fast, fun, surprisingly technical sections

• Great “reset” after Pisgah intensity

Overnight Options

Recommended (Reservable):

• Smokemont Campground (GSMNP)

  River access, structured, excellent sleep.

Alternate:

• Private campgrounds near Sylva (showers + resupply)

Post-Ride Food

• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) or local downtown spots

• Solid beer + food scene without Asheville crowds

Add-On Day 6 / Night 5 – Tsali Recreation Area

Iconic Southeastern singletrack

Drive: ~1.5 hrs

Ride Focus

• Tsali Right Loop or Mouse Branch

• Smooth, fast, lake views

• Directional days—check rotation before riding

Overnight Options

Recommended (Reservable):

• Tsali Campground (bike-in/bike-out convenience)

Alternate (More Scenic):

• Smoky Mountain Campground (private)

End of Trip

• Optional final night, or

• Early departure to Charlotte (~3.5 hrs)

Trip Design Logic (Why This Works)

• Day 1: Flow + confidence

• Day 2: Maximum technical demand

• Day 3: Gravity or skills shift

• Add-On: Remote, iconic systems that reward the extra days

This avoids burnout while maximizing trail quality.

Roam Ready MTB Essentials

(Recommended for renters following this trip)

• Brake pads + spare derailleur hanger

• Tubeless plugs + spare sealant

• Knee pads (even for “trail” riders—Pisgah is unforgiving)

• Recovery food + electrolytes

• Offline trail maps (Trailforks + paper backup)

Who This Trip Is For

Perfect For

• Riders who plan trips around trail systems

• Couples or friends comfortable riding all day

• Guests who understand “ride comes first”

Not Ideal For

• Casual rail-trail riders

• Tight schedules or late starts

• Guests expecting easy logistics every night