Greenbrier State Park

Not a beginner trail due to the rocky, root filled climbs. Not an advanced trail due to the relatively short distance. If one were to do the whole system, one could get a solid bit of distance and climbing.

Not a destination trail but if you're in the area or live nearby it's a great way to quickly get on your bike and get your legs working. I like riding the red loop counterclockwise, a few times if I've got a full afternoon. The back parking entrance is perfect for avoiding the state park fee

This is a leg strengthening skill for intermediate riders. A few long up hills, that I could have pedal up, one steep downhill lots of loose rocks a couple technical downhill spots. I couple fast, flat and down hills that are nice. This was my second time on this trail and second pinch flats, a bunch of rock gardens. I've only been on the bike a half a dozen times to put I perspective where this review is coming from.

Trails were clear and well marked. Dry except for two small crossing with several 100yds of mud.

These are hiking trail that you can Mt. bike on.Most of it it is doable on a bike.some sections are so washed out and rocky that pushing the bike is hard.With some erosion prevention it could be a good trail.I rode the Red loop @ 5.5 miles.The trail head is in the Dogwood camp ground.

I've done this twice in the past few weeks, and it's a fun ride if you have full suspension. The numerous rock gardens would probably suck some of the fun out of the descents on a hardtail, but it might make some of the climbs easier. I'm a little surprised that a few other reviewers claim it's a good beginner-intermediate area, because I'd never take a beginner here. I'd say solid intermediate, too rocky for a beginner. Started at the back lot trailhead off Greenbrier road, took the red loop CCW. There's a tough climb almost immediately - steep, rocky, and washed out. Had to hike-a-bike the two steepest sections. If you don't want to start off the ride with such a punishing climb, you can divert to the left before the climb onto the blue trail and an easier climb. Most of the trail is wide singletrack to doubletrack, lots(!) of rock gardens. Some fun descents (on my FS, but potentially terrifying on a HT). Going down to the lake there's a steep downhill section covered in loose rocks that can be a little hairy if you're not expecting it. A single loop is a good morning or evening ride, if you have more time do another or explore the other trails coming off the red loop. Trails are well marked, with maps at all intersections. At the parking lot you can also pick up a South Mountain visitor's guide that has a trail map inside.

I rode it on my FS trail bike with 2x10 drivetrain. I may take my HT w/ real granny gear back and see what I think.

My 10 yr old son and I did the Red loop today. We started from the free parking on Greenbriar Rd. We went counter clockwise as recommended by another post. In my opinion clockwise is a better choice. There is a hard climb that direction but overall less hard climbs this direction. Trails are a little too rocky for me, but a decent place to ride on occasion.

Decent place to ride but not very technical. Beginner- Intermediate level. The hardest challenge is doing all the climbing but it is all doable. Wide trails (could probably take a Jeep through) with plenty of rocks but not large enough rocks to be difficult. Red trail coming down the hill to the lake and Red trail just east of Blue trail are some of the better technical sections here.

Park is very well marked with maps at nearly every intersection. Also use parking lot off of Greenbrier Rd for free parking.

Hunting is allowed here so make sure to wear orange during hunting season.

A few things to note:
1. There is a park fee you have to pay if you use the state park parking lot. You can park your car on the side of the road at certain points and drop into the trail. See previous posts about that.
2. The back section is used by hunters during the fall. They have signs posted but it still makes me a bit nervous to be crashing through the woods with hunters around.
3. It's barely used in the late fall/winter/early spring. So you'll find yourself enjoying clear rides without any crowding. And the scenery is lovely!
4. Do the loop counterclockwise or you'll have a helluva climb to get to the top.
5. It's got a lot of shale rocks in parts which can be really slippery during or after rain.

My husband isn't a huge fan of this one. He's an advanced rider with a great dual suspension but the tons of roots and rock gardens make for a bumpy ride in a lot of sections without much payoff. I like it for an early morning ride to break the norm but I wouldn't say it's a destination ride. Great for locals and there are some easy sections for new riders. Plus, the lake is fun to cool off in the summer after the ride and the picnic tables are good for a bbq when you're done.

My first trail in a while. My girlfriend, a friend, and myself did this on a Sunday afternoon with no helmets. Wouldn't recommend no helmets, but we were winging it. Great trail though. Lots of variety. Good workout to get the heart rate up as well as fun spots (stream crossings, log jumps). Living just a few minutes from it, I can't wait to get back out there and try a different path!!...with a helmet this time.

Pretty nice trail. Rode it on the last day of a camping trip. Not a destination trail by any means but still a good ride to end an epic weekend of riding in the Frederick area. Quick steep climbs/descents, rocky sections here and there but no where near as brutal as Gambril or the Shed.

Rocky, fun, good intermediate ride. Great after work. Not really super singletrack but worth a ride if you are in the area. Good trail maps but I swear they are off 180 degrees. I must have shaken my brain because everytime I got to an intersection I went the wrong way. A few of the climbs were challenges. Long and rocky. Wide trails, not two track by any means but wider than singletrack. Gives a lot of leeway when you are struggling up those longer climbs and get wobbly.

Very nice trail! Nothing out of the ordinary, but good for beginners and a few decent downhills. Very rocky in some places, which can make for fun jumps. Mixed track types.

Typical, western Maryland, old school, rocky terrain, loose rocks, straight up and straight down. Nice views of lake on the ride. There are still races here and the race course is fun. Trails are marked OK and there are not much overlap to get you lost.

Typical, western Maryland, old school, rocky terrain, loose rocks, straight up and straight down. Nice views of lake on the ride. There are still races here and the race course is fun. Trails are marked OK and there are not much overlap to get you lost.

I ride this trail probably more than any other trail in my area because it is the closest and it really offers all types of terrain in a 5-6 mile loop. Some days in a time crunch one loop is good but its not bad to do many more. I would recommend this trail to any rider at any level, there is something there for everyone.

Nice open trails. Sections of single track too. Some good climbs, and fun downhill sections (though I take these very slow due to too many rocks for my liking). Overall, definitely not as rocky as Gambrill, though for me there are some downhill sections where I have to walk my bike due to the aforementioned patches of rocks. I have been there twice so far with my friend Todd, and we plan on making this a regular ride due to how close it is to where we live.

Uphill is tough for me but im still a newbie. Downhill is fun and fairly fast. Lots of rock gardens which offer a good challenge. Will definately get your legs burning!

Other than one murderous climb, most of this is middle ring stuff. Some of the singletrack is nice and tight and there are enough (mosly small) rock gardens on climbs, flats and descents to keep most riders entertained. The outer loop is the best overall ride, but then there's that hill (traveling CCW) . . .

Greenbrier has a little of everything. Hills are tough and technical at times, while the downhills are smooth and flow nicely to keep your momentum.