The course loop is approximately 9 miles long with over 1000 feet of climbing and 90% single track. The remaining 10% is primitive double track.
Horizon is technical but has some beginner and moderate sections as well. There are flat and fast open throttle sections as well as wooded trails and rocky, technical track. Rolling roller coaster like descents intermingled with short ascents, drops and whoop-de-doos. The energy sucking climb towards the end of each lap will slow even the strongest rider
Camp Horizon is also the host of the annual Tour de Lizard, which is a race in both the Tour de Dirt (OK) and United Federation of Dirt (KS) series. This trail is on private land and we ride at the pleasure of Camp Horizon. As such there may be walkers and hikers so please ride with this in mind.
This trail is maintained by Kansas Singletrack Society. Go to KSSingletrack.com and select the About KSS tab to report a trail issue.
For the region this is a really good trail. But its quality really depends on the season. Winter and spring it is great; summer and fall it gets so overgrown that the trails can be hard to find.
If you're looking for a trail to ride November through June, do it. If you're looking July through October, be prepared to do some bushwhacking.
| ThankRocky, rocky, rocky. Many 4 ft drops followed by a 90 degree turn. Steep climbs with 8 to 12 inch little cliffs you have to muscle up to. Pretty challanging and beautiful scenery.
| ThankThis is one sick trail. with it's switchbacks, rock gardens, cliff riding, sand traps, fast dirt, technical climbs, tricky downhill, and the old foundations of the cement plant. The trail was marked well in spots. I missed a turn and had to backtrack a bit to find out where I got confused. There is so much to see out there, more than I could take pictures without spending all day there. The trail I thought was layed out nice. You ride hard, then hit some downhill, then climb, then rock crawl, then start all over. Just one fantastic ride.
| ThankGreat trail. Doesn't seem like I'm in Kansas. East side is easy to follow. West side is very confusing. Trail is unmarked in areas. Trail has forks and crossing trails. Not sure if we even followed the right trail in areas. Several areas are very technical but not so many as to ruin the fun. This is the best trail by far in south Central kansas. 5 stars if trail was marked better.
| ThankGreat trail, not for the new guys or the been riding but still new guys. Small ring up front and enjoy the ride.
| ThankOutstanding trail! I've completed trail runs on this trail. However, Kansas Singletrack Society has been doing some work and the trail is better than ever. There are some good drops and climbs. You'll definitely use all of the basic essential MTB skills and might even reach into your more advanced skills bag. I know I discovered a few skills I need to work on.
| ThankThis is a great trail system and it was the first time I rode it. There is a Welcome Center at the top of the hill where the trail head is. They request you to go in and sign the log as a guest or there is a sign in sheet at the trailhead. There is no charge to use the trail system and the people that run the camp and are inside the Welcome Center are great to talk to and they will give you a trail map. The trail is fast and fun except for some areas which are technical but all very rideable its just you must know the appropriate line. I was informed that they have had cross country races at this trail site. The trail was recommended to me by Bicycle Pedaler out of Wichita. I was very impressed with the trail system as well as the staff at Bicycle Pedaler, it exceeded my expectations of what Kansas has to offer I recommend checking it out.
| ThankAwesome but definitely not for beginners. There is some varying degrees of difficulty rack gardens and climbs throughout the trail with a 9 degree grade at the back end of the trail. Overall, awesome trail and the directions have been attended to. Everything is pretty much marked now.
| ThankOne of my favorite trails in Ks love this trail!...
| ThankI've only hiked the trail since kss posted trail work. Probably a few days after the post on 4-21. Lyles loop was good and most of the cement factor trail was not bad as far as what's being described as utility work and work done by horizon. Great trail no matter
| ThankSo anyone headed to ride Horizon I am asking for your patients. The camp is in the process of making changes to the grounds along with the electric company clearing trees from power lines so it is a bit confusing to ride if your new to the trail. We are addressing the issue of trail marking and better map at trail head, coming soon. IMBA/KSS is putting on a trail building workshop on May 30th at Horizon. If interested register via IMBA.com, go to events calendar. We at KSS consider this are flag ship trail and it is one of the oldest trails we maintain. We thank you for the reviews good and bad. Helps us to improve everyones riding experience and trail.
| ThankI rode this trail for the first time and as a visitor from out of state. Overall the sections I rode were challenging where there were rock gardens but not too bad elsewhere. My only complaint and one I hope the KSS can address, the trails are VERY poorly marked and we did not complete full loop because we weren't sure where we were. There is a road that looked new but cut the trail in several places with no markings to get you back on it. We just rode on the road( gravel) until we saw more trail. If you want more visitors I would suggest better markings.
| ThankGreat trail (not just for Kansas...a great trail anywhere)! Lots of variety in terrain and difficulty. Lots of interesting scenery, great rock gardens, challenging short climbs and lots of shade from the tree cover. There are areas that beginners would feel comfortable, but most sections of the trail require at least an intermediate rider. All technical features appeared 'walkable' if you prefer not to give them a go. I ended up (involuntarily) walking a couple sections after choosing bad lines and almost got a closer look at the rock gardens than I would prefer. To complete the 9 mile loop will require a decent level of cardio fitness.
| ThankA few different maps at the trail heads would be nice. A big place to keep trimmed back so it gets a bit overgrown. Lots of elevation changes and plenty of technical areas. (rocks) Trail markings would help too. A must ride in Kansas
| ThankLyle's Loop is wet and we would recommend skipping it. The rest of the trail was dry to tacky.
| ThankThis trail has a nice section to satisfy any rider. When you enter, it is fast, flowing and has plenty of small root jumps. Then you enter a prairie where you can really open up the throttle. Then onto the rocky sections to satisfy the technical rider. And, then back to fast and flowing. But, then Cardiac Climb at the end of every race lap, which will drain the strength out of any rider. All around great trail. And be sure to stop by the abandon cement factory.
| Thankgreat trail for being in kansas. trail has some pretty technical areas
| ThankYou forget you're in Kansas! I used to ride this trail fairly frequently when living in Wichita. The trail is mixed with easy, flowing single tracks and steep and rocky ascents/descents.
It's tough to pick just one description for this trail. It has some very technical portions, great scenery, sweet singletrack, tough climbs..... This trail is an amazing mix.
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