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Kitsuma Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (58)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Pisgah National Forest
  5. Ridgecrest Trails
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“A challenging climb, followed by an incredibly fun and fast descent. ”

Michael Ahnemann
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Map Key

4.6

Miles

7.4

KM
Singletrack

3,145' 959 m

High

1,618' 493 m

Low

538' 164 m

Up

1,644' 501 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

41%

Max Grade (22°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Drops/Jumps

Description

The trail starts at the Kitsuma trailhead through a gentle forest road next to Interstate 40 then quickly goes straight up as the 14 switchbacks hammer your thighs. When the forest floor is somewhat dry, it's possible, but challenging, to clear all of the switchbacks on the way to Kitsuma Peak. After the initial ascent, enjoy being fooled by a quick downhill before being greeted by the second, steep but short climb. After the two lung-busters, there is a beautiful, mellow ridge ride where you are graced by some nice views of Mt. Mitchell before you start the hair-raising descent.

The legendary 2.8 mile downhill towards the Old Fort picnic area begins with a rocky descent into a quick left-hand switchback. Water bars, doubles, drops and a couple of berms accent the ridiculously fast, sometimes narrow and flowy track through the forest. If the trail is wet, watch the roots on the trail as they may have the urge to throw your wheel off the skinny sections of trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest Grandfather Ranger District

Shared By:

Michael Ahnemann with improvements by Paul Y and 3 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 58 votes

#1

in Ridgecrest Trails

#112

Overall
  4.8 from 58 votes
5 Star
83%
4 Star
12%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Ridgecrest Trails

#4

in North Carolina

#112

Overall
62 Views Last Month
10,813 Since May 27, 2014
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Photos

Flow riding with Singletrailer.
Oct 28, 2015 near Black M…, NC
Kitsuma - Pisgah National Forest - Montreat, NC - 10/1/2017
Oct 7, 2017 near Black M…, NC
Sunset view of mountains, trees and church near lower trailhead and parking spot
Dec 27, 2019 near Black M…, NC
Beginning the descent just after second peak.
Mar 18, 2021 near Black M…, NC
Take in the view after a pretty tough climb.
Jul 20, 2020 near Black M…, NC
Killer views on the way up!
Jul 20, 2020 near Black M…, NC

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 4 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 26, 2023
Hayden Hughes
Oct 13, 2023
Private User
Jun 19, 2022
Private User
Apr 28, 2022
Daniel Walker
Martin, Gamma and his wife Linda, and Danny (stranger we met at FireMtn and rode with for four days) 4.6mi
Jan 1, 2022
Osvaldo Abreu
Apr 26, 2021
Brandon Grover
Up is strenuous, down is really fun! Drop a vehicle off at the end, otherwise the ride back sucks! Done with Jon, then Courtney, Brad, Amber.
Dec 30, 2020
watson f
Very wet — 12h 04m
Oct 4, 2020
Andrew Dixon

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