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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 12 mi (19.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +1,565/ -988 ft
Total: 62 riders
 

Mountain Biking Buffalo Trace

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#7 of 105 mountain bike trails in Indiana
#910 in the world

The first of many mountain bike trails around the French Lick Resort is now open. The trail is named Buffalo Trace due to the Buffalo Trace that ran through the property. It's a 6+ mile trail that climbs to the top of the West Side of Mt Airie. With more elevation than Hesitation Point, Alex Stewart built a trail with his signature flow. The tread is easy, and the grades are kept at 5%, so beginner riders will be at home. Advanced riders will finish the climb a bit faster. When they open up on the descent, they will find Alex's rewards for speed.

First added by ericmetcalf on Nov 19, 2010. Last updated Sep 3, 2024. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: no
  • Lift service: no
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: no
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: no
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From I-64, take exit to US-231N. Take left on IN-56E/US-231N/N Newton Street. Take a slight right at IN-56E. Enter the French Lick Resort (see attached PDF for directions from here). Be sure to check-in at the Rider Registration desk located inside the golf pro shop. http://www.frenchlick.com/media/recreation/RE-HT-BTM-SI-1009_2.pdf


Buffalo Trace Trail map

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Local Info

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Trail checkins

JWertz (Oct 22, 2019)
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Trail conditions

Good (Jun 16, 2024)
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Reviews

  • mongwolf
    ****

    Two great loops here. The first called "Trail 2" on the ground is fast and flowy. The initial 2.5 mile climb is amazingly easy and yet engaging. And payoff on the descent is more than generous. The back loop called "Trail 3" is more technical but in a good way. It still flows and all the little technical features keep you entertained. The forest is amazing throughout - mostly old growth hardwood - full of beeches, oaks, maples, yellow poplars and Ohio buckeyes among other species. The overstory is tall, and the canopy so dense there is very little undergrowth - primarily ferns, pawpaws and the likes (and lots of seedlings). All in all, this is an exceptional riding experience. I hope someday, they can successfully pursue getting access to all the land around Mt. Airie and to the west and south. There is great potential to make this a mini-mtb center. Well done as is though!

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  • Jrbrown
    *****

    Jurassic Park by bike! Really a cool/fun ride. Avoid taking first time trail riders--Green trails are actually blue. Lots of climbing. Great work out on a beautiful trail.

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  • Chase Emmons
    ****

    Rode on April 20, 2018. Went to the area for the Little 500. Conditions were almost perfect, just some wet spots in the corners. Enough to leave you muddy at the end of the day but not effect riding much. Great stuff, never knew Indiana had it! You can even use the golf course access road for some fun DH hill repeats.

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  • Rook MTB
    *****

    The reviews on this trail are accurate. Awesome flow. Very technical in places. Great downhill section. I will reiterate this trail is a hard trail but pays huge dividends. I am a rookie and learned hard way to get off the bike in places. I have been golfing in this town for 10 years and just started biking off road after 20 years on road. This makes it a perfect spot. Great golf, beautiful resorts and hotels, and epic bike riding. Awesome.

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  • MHowell
    ****

    My history is in road biking, and I know this does not translate fluidly to mountain biking. I did buy a second hand Specialized hard tail bike a few years ago, and I am trying to broaden my biking skills. It is a short drive to French Lick, IN, so I thought I would give the Buffalo Trace trail a try. My first pause was the mandatory check in at the golf course pro shop. I signed my waiver and checked in on the clock so someone knew I was out there. The trail head is right behind the golf driving range, and was easy to find. Once I got on the trail, I found it to be a very tough course for a beginner. I knew that going in, as the sign at the trail head told me to stay out. Lots of loose rocks on the trail made it technically difficult for me. It was easy for me to have minor mishaps, as I took the pace slowly and was clipped in. I visited the bottom of a shallow ravine about 30 yards into the intermediate course after a gentle downhill coast ended with rapid root deceleration. Because I value my health, and as I still have kids in college, I limped back onto the beginner loop and enjoyed the downhill cruise from there.

    Overall, I thought the trail was nicely done, and the scenery was beautiful. I am sure this course will be stunning in October. As my skill level improves, I am sure that I will return and have a better day. For now, I am thankful for only flesh wounds.

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  • Zach Jones
    *****

    ***start the trail going clockwise I misspoke in my other review***

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  • Zach Jones
    *****

    Great trail all around. Surprisingly good downhill if you start out going counter clockwise.

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  • mongwolf
    *****

    For those who might ride the trails here for the first time, here is the best map I can find online https://www.ifoldsflip.com/t/161917-hiking-and-mountain-biking-at-french-lick-resort. Excellent map.

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  • beerdeadbaxter
    *****

    Great set of trails although there beginner trail is not for Beginners. This was a tough trail to ride while it was wet a lot of loose rocks and some very fast down hill sections that could get a beginner into some trouble or hurt, easily. Not sure how often they do trail maintenance i had to stop quite a few times and move some fairly large branches off the trail. There were also some sections where the main trail had not been mowed or trimmed back in quite some time. As it was wet and i was crunched for time i stayed off the Intermediate trail section. I would say if your going to ride this solo make sure you check in at the bike rental place at the French Lick Resort.

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  • TDVail
    *****

    Park at the trail head entrance next to the golf course or anywhere close as the area has bike trails leading to the trail head. Clockwise was my choice - easier. Back side is a blast making this an incredible ride. Well built, maintained with some markers along the way. Two short cuts on the back side. Caution with other riders on the blind turns.

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  • bboehman
    *****

    I have only had the opportunity to ride this trail once so far and it was a race. The trail is a lot of fun and the climb to start was a challenge! The downhill coming back was great! This trail is worth a drive, I just need to find time to get back since they haven't held any races on it recently.

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  • DHartleyJr
    ****

    Fun trail. I recommend going clockwise as the downhill portion is fastest that way. The waterfall trail is a bit more challenging but fun. A bit of climbing.

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  • wtsutton
    *****

    Stayed in the green trail. Great intermediate trail with great flow. Bout 3 miles of rolling hills up to the top then the same mileage rolling hills down. Did not try the blue trail. Was with my wife who is new to trails but she did well with walking just a few spots. Beautiful trail. Will be back for sure.

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  • blantonbike
    *****

    This trail was gnarly, especially on the downhill section. Go clockwise for sure, mostly uphill to begin with and its a pretty decent trek up. Once you hit the top you go right back down and it's pretty sick downhill with some tight singletrack and gnar turns, rock beds, loose gravel, and creek crossings. I recommend this trail if your in the area for sure! Super Gnar!

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  • Daveman
    *****

    I finally got to ride this trail, been wanting to for a few years, and I wasn't disappointed. I don't really have anything to add just that it's a fun trail. I went clockwise and then took the first entrance to the blue trail then back counter clockwise on the green thinking I didn't have enough daylight left, I live in central time zone and forgot about the extra hour. In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger "I'll be back" God willing.

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  • FlatTopFred
    *****

    This trail is a blast. It's got a little bit of everything; rocks, creek crossing, switchbacks, short climbs & quick downhills. It's not very technical, but will keep you alert - the terrain changes quick. Get out and ride!

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  • Popsof10
    *****

    My wife and I rode clockwise yesterday. This is a great ride with a steady 2.8 mile incline on well maintained single track. Great cardio. The backside drop was amazing. We only rode the green but spoke with someone that rose the blue loop. He said that it was intermediate but real fun.

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  • treky92
    *****

    This is a sweet little trail and a lot of fun to ride. It is a nice area and easy to access. Park by the golf clubhouse and take the cart path to the second red covered bridge and you will be there. Well worth your time.

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  • jksparz
    *****

    Rode both loops twice today. Saw more deer than people (7 compared to 4) on what was a beautiful day. Wonderful terrain to ride and a variety of forest cover to traverse from streambeds full of moss and ferns to high, dry ridges with mature pines. Blue trail is definitely intermidiate with some advanced areas. Green trail is solid intermediate. Go clockwise from the start if you want to enjoy a great downhill.

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Rider questions

Q: Are three wheeled pulled by husky allowed
A: No

Q: are hikers allowed?
A: No