Coldwater Mountain, located in Anniston, Alabama, is a high quality trail system offering an extensive network of trails. With about 30 miles of singletrack, the Coldwater system features a variety of trail options designed for intermediate riders, with some easier loops catering to beginners. The terrain includes a mix of flow trails with elevation changes, rocky sections, and dense forest paths. Notable highlights include the "Bomb Dog" trail with incredible flow and iconic views, and "Gazza," a rocky, technical descent that is one of the most difficult trails in the system.
Ranked as the top trail in Alabama and one of the best globally, Coldwater Mountain combines well-designed paths with scenic landscapes. The trail system has been expanded with contributions from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), with plans calling for up to 60 miles of trails in the future.
 | Bomb Dog |   | 4.9 mi |
 | Bullwinkle |  | 0.8 mi |
 | Chilhowee | | 4.7 mi |
| Gazza | | 1.4 mi |
| Goldilocks | | 1.3 mi |
| Hare | | 1.8 mi |
 | Mama Bear | | 1.5 mi |
| Oval Office | | 2.5 mi |
| Papa Bear | | 1.5 mi |
| Radio Gaga | | 0.5 mi |
| Rock Slot | | 1 mi |
| Rocky | | 0.5 mi |
| Talladega | | 1.5 mi |
| The Pip | | 1 mi |
| Tortoise | | 2.7 mi |
| Trillium | | 0.7 mi |
5
Mostly a climbing trail, but gradual enough that it flows well.
| ThankShort connector to get to Bomb Dog. You don't have to ride the rockiest parts, but give it a try! It's not as hard as it looks. Beautiful rock work.
| ThankFun loop that doesn't get ridden a lot. Narrow, more natural trail feel.
| ThankRipping descent with plenty of chances to get in the air, or not. Nothing too technical, mostly smooth all the way!
| ThankBomb Dog is a blast! 💣
It's flowy and just challenging enough, with plenty of opportunity to gain speed. It's become a little worn over the years due to its popularity, but it's still one of the best, if not the best, trails at Coldwater. Must ride!
| ThankWhoa! The Pip is a raw, natural trail that's little more than a game trail in many places. You'll climb some really steep, rocky sections, and descend on even steeper and rockier terrain. I rode it on an e-bike and it was manageable; without one, I surely would have to hike several sections. Reminds me of the advanced loop at Southside in Atlanta, where you have to really work to make progress, but much more raw and steeper.
| ThankThe top of Gazza is flat and can be hard to follow in summer; it appears it doesn't get a lot of traffic. The main descent features stacked rocks that require you to maintain momentum, otherwise you'll find your front wheel stuck. If you like Bomb Dog... stick to Bomb Dog. :)
| ThankFast and fun descent with jumps you can either roll or send!
| ThankVaries between flowy and rocky. Most will ride this trail to connect various sections of the trail system. Not all uphill or downhill.
| ThankThe climb can be tough with some fun technical rock stuff to session on the way up. The descent is a blast and well worth it!
| ThankShort and sweet.
| ThankMy new favorite trail at Coldwater. Recently reworked and flows really well. Nice wide turns and jumps is fun for everyone.
| ThankThese trails are phenomenal!
I've taken several weeks-long, car camping, trips across the country to mountain biking "destinations". Based on TRAILS alone, Coldwater Trails are, by far, my fav trail system. I'd categorize them as extremely flowy, x-country trails with a very high ratio of features per mile. Excellent design. Even the climbs are flowy & fun!😯 I love, love, LOVE 1-way trails and Coldwater is mostly(?) 1-way trails.
Sure, Sedona, Moab, etc. are better mountainbiking destination CITIES, but that is 80% because of the incredible scenery, not the actual mtb trails.
| ThankWow, what a ride. You won't be dissappointed. It's fast, technical, flows, and just rocks! I grinned from ear to ear the entire way down this run. You'll climb up Cassidy to get there from the lot we used, but your downhill reward will more than justfy the effort. If you have the time and the legs, hit Goldilocks when you're at Coldwater. We hit that sections twice.
| ThankAbsolutely fantastic trail system. The trails are very well marked and maintained. This should be on the epic list of trails. There is enough terrain out there that will challenge the most accomplished rider, you can even bite off more than you can chew. Hard climbs, fast down hills, awesome rock gardens! Love this place...must ride
| ThankWe decided to stop by this trail on our way through the area on our way back to Dothan, AL since it is only a few miles off the interstate. This was the first time riding these trails and we really enjoyed the ride. The intermediate trails have a lot of loose rocks which makes the trails a challenge when riding here for the first time. We have come to appreciate all the "For Ever Wild" hiking and biking trails here in Alabama.
| ThankI've only been mountain biking for a little under a year, but this is hands down the best downhill run I've found. It just keeps on giving. And if the speed and flow isn't enough how about a heaping helping of rocks to keep things interesting? The climb at the end back up to the Coldwater springs trailhead is really demoralizing though. It's like the bomb dog is giving you the middle finger at the end of the ride.
| ThankHands down my favorite place to ride. I did 28 miles yesterday and was grinning a real big grin the whole time. Coldwater offers up the best of modern trail design while maintaining a rugged and out there feel. Rocks are more or less your constant companion with numerous chunky sections spread all over the mountain, the chunkiest is Gazza and is not for the faint of heart. The flowy sections on talladega, trillium, hare, Oval Office and bomb dog are exquisite and allow for absolutely ludicrous levels of speed if you stay off the brakes. Air time is real easy to find here if you're feeling bold. I'm not sure how up to date the trail maps posted everywhere are, I found a bunch of new stuff I didn't know about down by the Anniston trailhead yesterday. There seems to be more and more getting added to this thing all the time. It's worth visiting if you're anywhere in the Deep South. Tons and tons of miles to chew up and Anniston is a great little town with plenty to do when you finish up. If it was possible to give more than 5 stars to Coldwater I would.
| ThankDid the tortoise trail going up and the hair trail going down. Beautiful day and not to tuff. 5 miles total.
| ThankAwesome system - Gaza was both artwork and incredibly challenging. Trail Builder Oscar for the Gaza crew!
| Thank