Pinhoti 1

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This is but one small section of the Pinhoti trail, an IMBA epic trail that is is dozens of miles long. This section is known locally as Pinhoti 1, or P1 and is an outstanding example of southern Appalachian singletrack with lots of climbing/descending, and textbook bench cut singletrack.

The best way to ride this trail is to start from the Bear Creek Trail, also described on MTB Project. P1 starts from the Bear Creek Trail as a steep uphill from a creek-paralleling section. This is the start of a long arduous climb - it hurts so good! The beautifully constructed trail, with perfect grades, and great views that only get better as you climb makes the climb all the more fun.

After a little more than a mile you get to the top, and start an incredible singletrack downhill that goes for over a mile, with just a small uphill section in the middle. Switchbacks keep you on your toes, while nothing can wipe the smile off your face.

The trail flattens out in a valley with a bridge crossing the creek. Just to keep you honest, the trail starts climbing again, this time on an old doubletrack.

The trail ends on a forest service trail. Usually, the thing to do here is take a left for several hundred yards and look for the two-track that starts Pinhoti 2.