This trail system is a true diamond in the rough! With somewhere between 50 and 75 miles of trails, you could ride here for days without riding the same trail twice! There's a variety of difficulty levels present, but most of the trails feature short, steep, rather techy climbs to the tops of a ridge and then a steep descent on the other side, complete with plenty of technical obstacles, berms, jumps, and massive wooden features, I would classify most of these trails as all-mountain and freeride. Be sure to bring an aggressive bike with some suspension, but even if you can't you need to ride here anyway--most of the features can be bypassed. The one downside is the trail signage: while most of the trails do have signs on them, there isn't a good map to help navigate through the maze yet.
Many thanks to Ryan (full-time trail boss) for his awesome work day in and day out on these trails!
 | Dam Trail |   | 2 mi |
| Psycho Pathe |  | 2 mi |
 | Split Decision | | 1 mi |
Several jumps on the first half before you hit the fire road - a few big gap jumps and some tabletops. This section is fast and you can pick up some good air time if you want. Second half is pretty gnarly technical descent with lots of sharp rocks. You'll want suspension and the ability to brake hard. Overall a great trail, but I usually skip the second half since the climb out is one of the hardest in the system in my opinion.
| ThankReview based on where you go. Avoid Dam Trail. It is not well traveled, dicey in a few spots and literally ends. So avoid that trail. The Panama trail to Mike Donahue trail is awesome! Def a must warmup and a good beginner loop! We didn't have enough energy to explore more cuz we died on the Dam trail (don't do it)
| ThankGreat trail system! Another reason I am glad my daughter goes to Liberty!!
| ThankWOW......this mountain will kick your butt!!! I'm a beginner and I absolutely love all the fears this mountain is helping me conquer!!
| ThankMy favorite trail system in the area. Peaks View Park is where I get a quick one hour workout/ burn in but Candler's is to be cherished. Lots of wonderful suffering is to be had here, many, many miles of punishment or bliss...you just have to string together a good loop. That said, I'm still searching and find I get punished almost every time I ride, but I love it.
| ThankSince I am no expert at Candler's, take my suggested routes with care. I usually park at the sand volleyball courts and do a clockwise loop of the perimeter where you can shorten or extend the loop since there are so many logging roads that climb back to Monogram Road. Or, I park at the Snow Plex and go in at Mike Donahue Trail and make my way to Trail Too Far (fun) then by the lake and from there I usually get lost and somehow find my way back to Lake Trail or Trail Too Far and head back.
I'll figure it out at some point. I will say, they have installed new trail signs so that helps greatly.
This place is know to the locals as Candlers Mountain. I love riding here it is challenging, fun and has great trail conditions year round. I have been riding here since around 2001. While the University has done a lot to build and mark these trails they have also done plenty plowing down of the forest. Pa Paws trail being the most recent to get mowed down. If your in the area it's worth checking out. It's rocky, rooty, has a few man made features. Not sure how long they will be open to the public heard lots of rumors at the LBS.
| ThankThe trails here aren't the best because some parts are really hard and they aren't maintained well.
| ThankFast Downhill rides, nice views, tricky technical areas, and lots of uphill riding on your way back.
| ThankThe ride across the dam is super cool!!
| ThankAwesome freeride trail!
| ThankGreat techy, fast descent. Somewhere between a blue and a black in difficulty.
| ThankAwesome all-mountain/freeride trail system! I wish I lived close enough to ride here on a regular basis. (See the rewritten trail description and upcoming blog post for more information).
| ThankBeing a student at LU, I spend a lot of time up on Candler Mountain. I've ridden many of the trails and was pleased early on to find that there are some easier trails (damn trails) and tougher ones (horton's loop, rouge trails). The trails are in decent shape, so it always ends up being a good ride....except the leaf problem mentioned below, good luck riding around Fall. Two things to know before heading out here: 1) Many of the trails have some very steep grades, so you'll get a workout and your skills WILL be tested. 2) Signage around the mountain is terrible and the trails are not well marked, plan ahead and be ready for some orienteering. If you're thinking to ride out here, shoot me a message—I'd love to give you some tips and such, maybe we could even ride together. Almost forgot- the trails are really pretty during the spring/summer and there are some killer views of Lynchburg/blue ridge!
| ThankLeaves put a damper on my ride of these trails causing me to slide around a lot. These trails would be awesome in in the spring or summer though. Plenty of downed trees to go over and several creek crossings along with fun downhills and killer up hill sections depending on which way you ride the trails.
| ThankA little bit of everything. Plenty of loops and variety possible once you get to know the system. Made better (safer and more singletrack) by Liberty University's work. Just don't count on the maps telling you much (no terrain info included, rating system not accurate). The outer loop is a good 2-3 hour ride for most, after that, start connecting through the center, trying personal favorites like Psycle Pathe, Split Decision, Lake Trail, A Trail Too Far, Peak to Peak and many of the Rogue trails.
Having rode in Moab, out west and in Pisgah and WV, I still say that for a local trail system, Candlers Mountain is something special. Not a full-service trail system, this one is best approached with some local advice. Note that there are allegedly 60+ miles of trail - including the jeep roads. I can ride there for 8-hours with very little back-tracking. check out bigmountainriding.com for more on this trail system.
| ThankWhat was once one of the best trail systems in the central VA area is slowly becoming sad to even visit. The construction of Snowplex (year round ski slope at Liberty University) has forced several of the trails to be closed down. The construction has also caused a severe change in water run off desrtroying parts of the trail along the way. It is still an enjoyable ride, especially for people who have never been, but for the people who called this their trail it is sadly getting away from us. Technically sound with trails ranging from beginner to advanced.
| ThankThe trail variety is amazing, The downhills blow everything else around Lynchburg out of the water. Be prepared to hike up a few of the uphills. LU has done a great job keeping up the trails and keeping more coming.
| ThankThis trail is what makes Lynchburg a great town for mountain bikers. There are are other trails in and around town, but this is the backbone of**reat trail town.
There is pretty much something for everyone here, from intermediate riders and up. Beginners will find wide trails, but the big hills make for quite the workout. For more advanced riders with the time, just keep riding further out. There are enough trails to make repetitions rare, and enough variety that I haven't been bored in more than a decade of riding here. I say these are national level quality, having ridden in UT, Pisgah and Slatyfork, WV and NorCal.
The renovations implemented by Liberty U have only made an epic trail system more accessible and sustainable. A major thanks to the University for this gift to the community.
| ThankGreat trails ranging from beginners level (lower damn trail) to expert downhills (Psycho-path). New trail maps posted at all entrances. Liberty has done alot of work on the trails and part of the grounds crew @ LU are fully employed to work on and build up the trails. A skills park is coming soon. I love being able to walk out the back door of the dorm and have a quarter mile ride to the trail head. great views @ the bald spot and LU monogram. Lower and Upper Damn meet at an old damn that can be ridden (or walked for those scared of riding across a 5' tall damn) across. Great trails that will continue to develop
| ThankThe trail has some awesome downhills as well as some really steep uphills. I would not reccomend this tail to any beginners. Come well stocked with water!!
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