From the parking lot, the trail head is marked just left of the fenced-in dog park next to the woods. This is a single complete loop that runs roughly 3.25 miles. Like many trails in the area, people try to add shortcuts to the original trail layout. If you stick closer to the trail, you shouldn't have a problem. There is a good bit of climbing in the beginning with tight switchbacks, however is then rewarded with fast descents with climbs. The trail is an average of a 1-2 ft wide. There are log crossings in the trail where you can get a little air because you will already be going fast downhill. I recommend learning the trail a bit before you get too comfortable. Not ideal for beginners.
Note: Most people in the area agree that this is not a trail for beginners. It takes skill and endurance to run the full loop without stopping. The climbs and descents are steep and fast. You don't have a wide trail to begin with. This info serves as a more accurate description of this trail system. Thank you.
Trail well maintained and well marked. Obstacles easy to navigate around if you don't want to take them on with the exception of a couple small log jumps. Because there are so many ups and steep hills you'll want a pneumatic seat. Had a blast on this trail.
| ThankGreat flowy and fun trail but not as ridden as others around town. In need of some maintenance and grooming. Top 3 in town for fun factor.
| ThankNice flowy and fast trail, but not for the faint at heart. If you can get past the first steep climb you're doing good. Well maintained by local volunteers.
| ThankNice little narrow ST trail. Good steep climbs and switchbacks, but nothing too sustained. Some short, steep, fast DHs, but again nothing too sustained. Very much a roller coaster type trail. Some good flow, but you have to work for it, which is good imo. It gives you a good workout. The trail is well-maintained. I had a good time. It is short, so do two or three laps. Or Swanson is nearby of course and makes for a nice, easier, additional ride on the same outing. Good work THOR.
| Thankthis is definitely the toughest track in the Omaha metro area... primarily due to the climbs. there aren't many obstacles... a few trees to hop over is about it. the climbs are hard. It is a beautiful area, with wildlife everywhere. I stopped and got some pictures of the deer that watched struggle. I've only riding this trail once years ago , so the leaf cover made it hard to see the trail in a few spots. I got turned around but found my way back. There are good markings along the route.. I just missed it.
| ThankDefinitely a tougher trail than I expected but well worth it! Little difficult on the uphill parts but so much fun on the down hill! Nice trail!
| ThankIt has nice scenery along with wildlife. It's cardio type trail for me as well as it can be enjoyable like roller coaster. I placed 3 star because it has several steep uphill which isn't my things. :)
| Thankfast trail like platte river but not as technical as the pr its a roller coaster.
| Thankcheck out
| Thankhttps://youtu.be/58MZON-FZe4
my first visit in Jewell Park 2016 || right after winter
The directions on how to find the trailhead are still accurate. Google Maps however does not give good directions on how to get to this place. Take a look at a map and plan your own directions after you get off the freeway, if you dont drive past a large cemetary you are probably not in the right place (inless you live close and are coming from the north and didn't take the freeway). This trail takes 3 days to dry out after a good rain so keep that in mind before heading out. This trail also sees low to moderate use so be careful when riding and always be alert for other riders as you can gain considerable speed in certain sections of this trail.
The trail itself winds around the side of a bluff or big hill. It is easy to get discouraged as the first mile or so are uphill with a considerable grade and the switchbacks make it very difficult for a novice rider to stay on the bike and not walk. Once at the top of the hill it is a fun ride down and the trail has some flow to it but it seemed like every downhill lead right into a steep uphill so it was constantly start and stop, fast downhill followed by granny gear grinds back uphill. I really liked the steep declines though, the trailbuilders did not hold back and some of the declines will shoot you out the bottom very quick.
About 2/3's of the way through the trail it comes out onto a wider path that has sparse gravel. If you go left you can get back to the parking lot, going right will yield considerably more trail so don't cut yourself short!
At the current time this trail is leaf covered and makes fast cornering sketchy and slow climbs prone to spinning out and losing momentum. The trail was well marked and there was not a lot of options to get yourself turned around. This trail has altitude change between Lewis and Clark Monument and Swanson Park. It will burn up your quads but can be pretty fun especially if you ride it often and know the route to keep your speed.
| ThankAs of last week, the trail is open and in fine condition (July 25th, 2012). This is one of my favorite trails in Omaha. Lots of ups and downs with sections of really good flow. Nothing really very technical (a few roots and logs) just some really fun, twisty downhill sections.* Review edited 7/31/2012
| Thank***Fresh review here 10/6/12. Trail is in great shape, great job out to THOR and participants for tidying this place up. Much fun and great appreciation for people who keep this place up. I have been going to this place constantly since my return from Custer.* Review edited 10/6/2012
| ThankFresh review here. The ride today was awesome. By far my favorite trail in the area. The trail starts off with mostly climbing at first. Lots of switchbacks and climbs, but many following well-worth it descents. Beautiful scenery as well. I love the layout. To me, the second part (after you go down by the road and turn right out in the open) is the best part of this trail. The only thing you could hear was the sound of my brakes and sliding tires shredding the dirt. Not a wide trail at all, about a foot or so on average. Nice jumps and quick turns. Here are a few tips to keep those newbies alive on some of the craziness.
-Keep a good momentum. Don't rob yourself by trying to stay in "granny gear" for all the climbs. If you keep your momentum, the downhill will treat you even better going up.
- Don't try to blow through or go too fast, unless you've done this trail a bit and know it. There are tight technical areas that can bite you and things sneak up quick. Things such as: tight trees, lateral slope in the trail, jumps followed by quick turn, steep descents with turns you get the idea.
- Have good brakes, you'll be using them. Know when to ride something out and when to use them. Don't brake for the wild turkeys, they will move.
- If you see a tree up ahead that looks like it's in the trail, be cautious, you'll have a quick turn coming up.
- Use body english, this helps whip those turns and it's more fun. But, watch your shoulders in a few places, some are tight.
I have new photos to throw up on the site. I marked this one as "Technical Challenge" only because you can't blow through it like at Swanson or Tranquility and well, it is more technical anyway. Overall, try it out and don't sell out if you have trouble at the beginning, it's worth it. Take care and I hope this helps for the new ones out there.* Review edited 4/9/2012* Review edited 4/9/2012
| ThankAs a seasoned beginner i love this trail. Of the local Omaha trails that i have visited recently, (Tranquility, Swanson, Jewel and Lewis and Clark) In my opinion Jewel is simply the most over all fun! There are some pretty tough climbs compared to the other trails including one with some pretty technical up hill switch backs (It took me a few attempts to get up these with out stopping) But you are more that rewarded for those climbs by the flowing roller-coaster ride that follows. The highlight is the riding first along the top and then along the bottom of a ridge. The trail is short, but that too is a positive because you can do it again! Jewel can be summed up by: "Its a whole lot of fun packed into a very short run"
Note: Lewis and Clark is also fun, but the climbs kick my butt, otherwise the Lewis and Clark trail would probably rate a little higher than jewel for the sheer fact that it has more trail.* Review edited 6/21/2011
| ThankI have only ridden this park once, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to riding it more in the spring. I am a novice and not in great shape so the climbs were killer in my opinion, but very worth it. Great setting for a ride, with a lot of ups and downs, off camber turns, fast and slow sections. There is a section of the trail near the road that works across a very steep, tall bluff. This section alone was worth the trip. Very fun!
| ThankJewell Park is a pretty good local ride. The trail flow is very well laid out and the trail builders have really maximized on the real estate they had to work with. Excellent flow.
There is a good amount of climbing to be had here, but nothing that an average rider can't handle. Beginners might have trouble, but for the most part all of the climbs are middle ringers. I'd rate the level of climbing here a notch above Swanson Park, and maybe a notch below Lewis and Clark.
Technical challenges are few and far between at Jewell. There are a few log crossings, but only two are tall enough for the chainring to taste wood. There are also a few uphill, hairpin switchback turns that could be seen as challenging to some.
Probably the biggest technical challenge is the speed. This trail rides VERY fast and it is easy to pick up speed in a hurry. Throw in some hairpin turns on a downhill run and the potential is there for wreckage. Also off-camber action. Watch the speed. Skidding has the very real potential to ruin these trails due to the built-in speed.
I usually do 2-3 laps here before calling it a day. The biggest downer about this trail is the length. Coming it at around 4 miles total, it does require a few laps to get a good ride in. But it's worth it.
| ThankJewel Park is located near Washington St & Combs Rd in Bellevue, NE. Jewel is a newly set gem in the Omaha off road trail system. Trails once abandoned have been given new life by Nebraska and Iowa riders hungry for more trails. A five mile loop incorporates gear crushing climbs, technical bike handling, and fast flowing descents. The first quarter of the trail is difficult, but don\'t be intimidated because the fast flowing single track awaits. Enjoy Jewel, it stands apart from the other trails, but adds to the need of more trails in the metro area
| ThankThe best way to ride this trail is to head west from the parking lot (across the grassy area) and look for one of two trailheads: there is an uphill climb on loose rock to the left (this is the best way to get to the inner trail) or go straight to the far side of the grassy area to find the trailhead for the outer, more technical track. Both trails come out by the main road. This is one of the best trails in the Omaha/CB area; it's quick, fast (very fast in parts), some good climbs, and a few good technical features. The trails are not marked very well but they are easy enough to follow. The first part of the inner trail winds through the woods right next to the parking lot and you can easily top out above 20mph if you hit the right lines. There are 3-4 families of deer in this area too and they are very brave so if you like wildlife up close and personal, bring a camera. Both loops can be done in under 30 minutes if you ride them straight through.
| ThankGreat single track riding, has some difficult climbs but the downhills are worth the extra effort.
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