Bigleaf Slopes Park was established by an agreement between Iredell County and the Tarheel Trailblazers. Members of the mountain bike organization approached Iredell County with a proposal to build the trail on County owned property, over the course of 3 years.
The property is approximately 104 acres of wooded and open-space land with significant diversity in plant species. Most uniquely present is the Bigleaf Magnolia species, for which the park is named. Magnolia macrophylla, the Bigleaf Magnolia, is a deciduous magnolia native to the southeastern United States and eastern Mexico. This species boasts the largest simple leaf and single flower of any native plant in North America.
Phase I of the facility features 2.5 miles of varying degrees in difficulty of mountain biking and hiking trails. Plans for additional trails are scheduled for fall and winter of 2016 and 2017, to extend the total trail mileage to approximately 6 miles.
Since 2013, over 1500 hours of volunteer community efforts have been contributed to the property, including topography assessment, trail design, and finally trail construction. The development of this amazing new facility for Iredell County Parks and Recreation could not have been possible without the efforts of all of those dedicated volunteers
The trail is ride-able and fun. Not too technical but there is one section towards the end that has you on the "edge". No pun intended. It looks as it if hasn't been taken care of in while. A couple of big trees that are down requires you to hop off your bike and climb over it. The map has been damage by water and never replaced.
| ThankGreat little trail, will be back
| ThankKeep your elbows tucked, watch out for poison ivy, and ENJOY this little twist through the woods!
| ThankVery cool little trail! It is very well maintained and thought out extremely well. Has a little of everything. A few steep climbs, lots of logs to hop, nice little DH section with lots of jumps and one whopping berm. It is short too, so multiple laps are a must. It is also very close to the Signal Hill trail, so hitting both in the same day is very possible [and recommended] I will be coming back.
| ThankWe rode this trail for the first time sunday evening.... It had rained earlier in the day, so of course it was damp! But still very nice! Well marked and maintained... Nice parking area with bathrooms...
| ThankRode Big Leaf today for the first time. I was "more used to" Signal Hill Trail which I also really enjoy. Big Leaf kicks butt and takes names. It's a very "fun" trail with some good jumps but a LOT of it is very tight and technical. And if you happen to lose your balance in a few places and lean a little too far, you're going down the side of a pretty steep hillside! I had to stop several times and regain my breath as a LOT of Big Leaf is hill and grade. I WILL be back and "hopefully " it won't kick my butt "as bad" next time. Have fun and be careful guys.
| ThankThis trail is tight, tight and tight! I have ridden blue trails all over and this one was the hardest trails technically that I have ever ridden. It has few places to get real speed. Roots were about average. Technical aspects such as coming out of tight curve and having a log that has only about a 12 inch area you have to hit it just right to get over. Not very forgiving. Great trail for good riders. Not so much for intermediates. Definitely do not go if you question your abilities.
| ThankBrand new trail. Front part is pretty tight, but opens up in the middle part of the trail. Lots of little uphill and turns. Nice facility with a port-a-potty type restroom and a changing room.
| Thank