×
|
Rate it:
Tags:
Level: Beginner
Length: 33 mi (53.1 km)
Surface: 4x4 Trail
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +286/ -382 ft
Total: 1 riders
Mountain Biking Khargana Gol
#11 of 70 mountain bike trails in Mongolia
For the relatively short ride in lower portion of Khargana Gol, start on the two track climb east up the pass from the main paved road (see directions). This is a nice XC workout, and then once you summit the pass, the fun factor escalates as you descend into Khargana Gol valley. The scenic beauty increases too. Khargana Gol is a charming little mountain stream with beautiful forested mountain slopes filling one's line of site in every direction.
There is a two track trail that runs up and down the valley (north and south). Also watch for side trails climbing up the slopes on either side. There is over 30 miles of main trail in the valley, and I have no idea how many more miles of side trails.
First added by mongwolf on Feb 14, 2015. Last updated Apr 24, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Direction for the lower and shorter ride: Start from the little village of "Unit" (pronounced "Unt") in Bulgan Aimag. It is about 88 km NW from the north end of Bulgan City and 35 km before the Selenge River. From Unit drive about 15km north towards the river on the main road. Here you will see a dirt two track heading east over a small pass. This two track is the trail, and it accesses the lower end of Khargana Gol (gol is creek or stream in Mongolian).
Directions for the full Khargana Gol ride (53 km top to bottom): From the north end of Bulgan city drive 46 km to the top of a distinct pass. You are still 42 km before Unit ("Unt"). Unload your bikes here. Ride down the west side of the pass 1.3 km to the first turn to the left (to the south). On this turn get off the pavement by going straight (west) onto the little dirt road. Go 3.3 km WNW to the top of a small hill. This location is marked on the directions map of the Khargana Gol main page. From here, turn right and head NNE up the slope and into the forest. You will climb about 250 feet (75m) in a little over 1 km to reach another top. This is the top and beginning of the Khargana Gol watershed. Follow the little trail NW down the other side and into Khargana Gol.
We got another opportunity to ride Khargana Gol this past week. We were able to ride further up the valley. The entire valley is 50 km (30 mi) long. We still have a ways to ride it all, but we are getting closer, and WOW it just gets more beautiful as you go up. Plus the riding is equally good as it is below. The creek gets smaller so all the crossings are rideable as you go up. But you still might want to wear a hiking scandal, so you don't have to think about your feet and you can cool off in the water more easily. The total drop of the valley from top to bottom is 2850 feet, but with the small climbs here and there, the total descending on a ride would likely be over 3500'. Constant beautiful scenery, awesome high speed riding, nice climbs, golden eagles, true wilderness location, great distance. This really is a nice ride.
| ThankThe ride into the valley from the pass is fast and beautiful. You can do 14 miles if you ride to the Selenge River. You can do 21.5 miles if you continue and follow the Selenge River out to the paved road, but it is quite flat riding along the Selenge. There is some tech on the bottom half of the pass and along the way in the valley itself. There are also wide VERY COLD river crossings.
A couple of us took an awesome climb on a nearby peak. From the top, there was a really nice panorama of the Selenge River and the surrounding mountains. All in all, this is just an beautiful place to bike, camp, hike and explore. Even though it may be a beginning or easy intermediate ride in terms of tech, I still have to give it a near 5 star rating for the XC riding and the overall experience.
Warning: While biking, watch out for the ground squirrels. They are everywhere. The local population is minus one rodent due to "road kill" by mtb. LOL. That was a "moment" for one of our riders. There are also a few coveys of partridges that will stop your heart cold when they furiously take to flight as you go screaming by them.
| ThankThis is a beautiful mountain valley that is worth riding just for its charming beauty, but the riding is fun too. It's definitely more XC style riding with some thrills thrown in here and there. We've ridden about 25 km of trail in the area and can't wait to go back someday and explore more of the area and the trails.
| Thank