Zacks Fork Mountain Bike Trail. Trail Labs is a different kind of bike shop, specializing in expert mountain bike suspension service.
North Fork Mountain Trail provides sweeping views of the Alleghenies most of its 24 miles.
Some guides say 23.8, while others say 24.2 or even 24.7.This trail isn't for the weary-hearted or the un-trained. North Fork Trail This heavily-used trail ascends steeply from Tumalo Falls to Happy Valley. Tibble Fork. The land was donated by the City of Lenoir, and fund-raising for the project was spearheaded by Shawn Moore and Jeff Welch of Luna Cycles and Bob Giduz of Caldwell County Pathways. Experts suggest taking 2-3 days to complete the entire trail.The best times to hike the North Fork Mountain Trail are the summer and fall. Located between the iconic Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks in West Virginia, the North Fork Mountain Trail is the premier mountain biking trail in West Virginia, and one of the best on the East Coast. The climbs are fairly moderate for a big ride like this and the flat sections are very flowy with very little trail resistance at times, and at other times quite engaging and a good lesson in proper line choice. It’s the driest mountain in the Appalachian Mountains, and has an ecosystem filled with vegetation and wildlife that are unique to the region.Hikers and backpackers who love a strenuous hike with gorgeous views (almost the whole way!) Throughout the trail, you can stop off at several overlooks for a snack.
Located between Spruce Knob WV and Seneca WV, two of the best outdoor destinations in WV themselves, the NFMT is arguably the best mountain bike trail in the state. It has been called one of the “Best in the East” by Backpacker Magazine, and the International Mountain Bicycling Association has designated it an “IMBA Epic.” As if that wasn’t enough motivation to add North Fork Mountain to your hiking list, the Nature Conservancy considers North Fork Mountain to be “one of the most ecologically and biologically significant” areas in the Central Appalachians forest ecosystem. Turn right on Smoke Hole Canyon Road for about 12 miles.Then take CR 2/4 West, which will turn into FS 79. Zacks Fork Mountain Trail was designed by Jim Horton who is known for designing mountain bike trails which include the Warrior Creek Trail and Dark Mountain Trail. Some of the rocks are pretty big, and the truly brave will look for those perfect rocks to wheelie up on and pop off of.Just as you get used to the rugged ride and start to look for the next technical stretch of rocks, the trail starts to descend into one of the best downhills in West Virginia. Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, the steep and challenging North Fork Mountain Trail is one of the most scenic in West Virginia.The trail is around 24 miles point-to-point. Hikers must carry their water. Located between Spruce Knob WV and Seneca WV, two of the best outdoor destinations in WV themselves, the NFMT is arguably the best mountain bike trail in the state.The NFMT travels across a rugged ridge that at times resembles the spine of a Stegosaurus with the amount of rocks that litter the trail. will thoroughly enjoy the North Fork Mountain Trail. It's around 24 miles long and features elevations ranging from 1,300 to over 2,000 feet. This means no long up or down hills, just short ups and downs. The next 3 miles will have you whooping and hollering as you let it rip down to the bottom.The NFMT is a pretty big undertaking, and you should have at least a moderate level of experience to tackle this ride. In the fall, look for bald and golden eagles migrating. It’s best hiked south to north, because the opposite route begins with a difficult 2,000-foot climb. Photographers love this trail because there are so many opportunities to get great pictures of West Virginia’s sweeping valleys.
The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) designates certain trails as “Epics” and it just so happens that the North Fork Mountain Trail (NFMT) is one of those. The North Fork Mountain Trail is an incredibly scenic 24-mile point-to-point trail that gains almost 3,000 feet of elevation along North Fork Mountain in the Alleghenies. Tibble Fork is a 3.3 mile trail in American Fork Canyon, used almost exclusively as a downhill route. Horses are prohibited. The trail begins on Ridge 157 and ends on the Mill Canyon trail, so your minimum ride will be substantially longer.For example, a common shuttled route from the Alpine Loop Summit trailhead to Mill Canyon trailhead is 6.9 miles. Live like a West Virginia local whenever, wherever You’ll follow this for 3.5 miles directly to the southern North Fork Mountain Trail trailhead, where you can park. Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events The Tumalo Trail System map can be accessed from this trailhead. The North Fork Mountain Trail is an incredibly scenic 24-mile point-to-point trail that gains almost 3,000 feet of elevation along North Fork Mountain in the Alleghenies. In the summer, the blooming rhododendrons are one of West Virginia’s most popular sights. There are many things make the ridgetop North Fork Mountain Trail spectacular. Rust blazes guide you from the trailhead at Sloan Bridge, but be aware that some trail markers are a good distance apart.
Fast bikers can get this trail done in less than 4 hours, but most riders will want 5 hours to finish it up considering the technical difficulties, length, and ample overlooks to stop and check out the views.
The trail, which follows the quartzite crest of North Fork Mountain most of the way, has earned many accolades as both a backpacker’s and mountain biker’s dream. 1.2K likes.