Keeping with the spirit of NASCAR's famous Lowes Motor Speedway just three miles to the north, The Harrisburg Half is a "dirt criterium" track used for the Charlotte Short Track Series Circuit...but it's a great half-mile loop for users of all skill levels to turn and burn and get a sprint workout anytime. The best part of this trail is the fast hardpack gravel/rip-rap trail surface with some large, well-constructed, downhill berms.
The trail can be divided into 4 sections (for the purpose of referring to its parts). Section one begins at the top of the hill, includes 4 berms on a quick downhill switchback and exits on to the park service road.
From there you ride up the service road about 50+ feet to the beginning of section 2, which heads off into the woods down to the left includes a benched downhill trail with 2 berms and a culvert crossing. This section exits into singletrack crossing a small grassy field.
Travel straight into the field 100-150 ft and enter section 3 into the woods to the right. This begins the second half of the trail and is all uphill until you begin your next lap. Section 3 crosses the park walking trail. You travel straight ahead into section 4. Section 4 is a climb up the park walking trail. Stay right and follow the park walking trail up past the shelter. As the walking trail bears around to the left at the top of the hill you will see the trailhead bulletin board and the beginning of the trail. Approximate total ascent is 65ft per half-mile lap.
It's a fun half mile track. Gets repeatative but it's fun. Has a nice down hill spot drops kinda fast with 2 jumps if you want air, and an incline to climb up. I go every week as its 5 min from my house.
| ThankI recently got back into riding. I use this trail for interval training. You can get some good cardio in here but it does get repetitive ergo harrisburg half. They are currently building a new development on the lower north side. Don't worry the trail is still there but gets messy by the RR TRACKS. you can still do the loop. Over all not a bad novice trail well maintained.
| ThankShort and fast. About a half mile. The first half is downhill and has 3 or 4 berms to help keep speed through the turns. The second half is uphill and takes you back to the beginning. It's a good warm-up trail if you're a beginner or just getting back into riding shape. Ride the trail a handful of times, and you'll get a workout. I wouldn't travel very far just to come ride it, but if you're in the area it might be worth checking out.
| ThankShort fast and fun. Very well maintained also. Could use better trail marking some of the turns are a bit confusing.
| ThankShort track race events will be managed and posted here when they are planned:
| Thankhttp://www.charlottemtnbike.com/