Mountain Bike Trails

DUNCAN HOLLOW LOOP

Trail Description:

• Beginning from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center the trail starts and finishes on the Duncan Hollow Road.
• 1.5 miles after leaving the Visitor Center the single track begins, turning left off Duncan Hollow Road. Look for and follow the marker posts.
• This single track section features some fun downhill sections, one fairly easy stream crossing and a reasonable climb towards the end of the loop.
• 2.3 miles after leaving Duncan Hollow Road the single track once again joins the road for a nice ride back to Bandy Creek.

Total Distance: Total ride is 5.3 miles with 3.0 miles of gravel road and 2.3 miles single track

Time Allowance: Depending on your skill level a beginner should plan on 1 1/4 hour, an intermediate rider 1 hour and an advanced rider 45 minutes.

 

COLLIER RIDGE LOOP

Trail Description:

• Beginning from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center the trail starts and finishes on the West Bandy Creek Road.
• 1.1 miles after leaving the Visitor Center the single track begins, turning left off West Bandy Creek Road. Look for and follow the marker posts.
• The single track section features creek crossings, jumps, sandstone climbs and drops, short slalom sections through trees and fast downhill runs.
• 1.8 miles after leaving West Bandy Creek Road the trail splits offering riders the choice of a novice or advanced section.
• If you are not an advanced rider continue straight to Hwy 297, turn right and ride single file near the white line. Look for the marker to turn right back onto the single track.
• The advanced ride turns right coming immediately to a sandstone ledge with a steep drop. Beyond this the trail features numerous steep climbs and drops with some sharp turns and log crossings.
• Once the two sections rejoin either continue west along Hwy 297 and take the West Bandy Trail (see below) or remain on the Collier Ridge Trail for another 2.3 miles back to the West Bandy Creek Road. Turn right and return to the Visitor Center.

Total Distance: Total novice ride is 8.0 miles with 3.6 miles of gravel/paved road and 4.4 miles of single track. Total advanced ride is 7.7 miles with 2.2 miles of gravel road and 5.5 miles of single track.

Time Allowance: Depending on your skill level a beginner should plan on 1 3/4 hours, an intermediate rider 1 1/4 hours and an advanced rider 45 minutes.

 

WEST BANDY TRAIL

Trail Description:

Traveling westward from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center: Follow directions to the Collier Ridge Loop and then from the point at which Collier Ridge Loop leaves the West Bandy Creek Road continue following the gravel road for 0.4 miles to the beginning of the West Bandy Bike Trail. Turn right onto the bike trail at the signs.

You can also access the opposite end of this trail from the West Entrance Trail head on Hwy 297: Follow the connector trail across West Bandy Creek Road and follow the bike trail signs. This section features rolling single track, creek crossings and short, steep sections. Return to your starting point by following the West Bandy Creek Road.

Time Allowance: On the single track sections beginners should plan on a 45 minute ride, intermediate riders on 30 minutes and advanced riders 20 minutes.

 

GRAND GAP LOOP HIKING AND BIKING TRAIL

Trail Description:

This is a shared use trail for hikers and bikers every day of the week. Grand Gap Loop is a 6.4 mile loop trail which is best ridden counter clockwise. Except for a few technical sections, the trail is mostly flat, smooth and singletrack ideal for beginner to intermediate bikers. The trail travels along the cliffline which overlooks the river. Several rockshelters are also on the trail. Please park your bike and walk to the overlooks.

Two popular options are available for riding Grand Gap Loop.

1. From Bandy Creek take Duncan Hollow Road approximately 2 miles to the Alfred Smith Road on the right. Park at the intersection of Duncan Hollow and the Alfred Smith Roads. Ride 1.8 miles down the Alfred Smith Road to Grand Gap Loop. Ride Grand Gap Loop (6.8 miles), return to your vehicle and drive out the Alfred Smith and Duncan Hollow Roads returning to Bandy Creek.

2. Drive from Bandy Creek out Duncan Hollow road. In approximately 2 miles turn right on Alfred Smith Road. Travel 1.8 miles down Alfred Smith Road to the small trailhead parking. Ride the Grand Gap Loop 6.8 miles. Return to your vehicle and drive back to Duncan Hollow Road and Bandy Creek.

 

Map of mountain bike trails in Bandy Creek area of Big South Fork.

An NPS Image