The recent addition of a mountain bike trail adjacent to the ski trail at Mt. Pisgah is absolutely fantastic. While there is only a short distance available right now, more is expected in the future.
The section of trail that is currently completed is smooth, and fast. There are nicely shaped berms at every corner as the trail flows over the rolling terrain.
There are plans currently underway to expand the riding at Pisgah to both sides of ski slope.
There are two ways to access the trail at Mt. Pisgah. The best riding as of August 2013 is on the left hand side of the mountain as you are looking up the ski slope. Riders can pedal or push up the ski slope and look for a trail entering the woods on the left. This may be the easiest option to find the trail.
The other option is to pedal up the dirt road that leads to the big water tower adjacent to the ski area. The mountain bike trail begins on the uphill side of the water tower. Usually there is a small muddy spot right before the trail begins. I would expect these routes to become more obvious as time goes on and I also expect the signage to improve.
The Mountain Bike Trail at Mt. Pisgah exists through the hard work of a few local volunteers, members of the Barkeater Trail Alliance, and students who are in the Forestry program through an organization called BOCES. The students have been learning how to operate equipment by removing necessary trees and brush for the trail. When they are finished with their work, the trail builders come in make the surface nice and smooth for rolling mountain bike tires.
The smooth terrain at Mt. Pisgah is great for riders of all skill levels. The Barkeater Trails Alliance has published a map for the area and it is available at Blue Line Sports in Saranac Lake.
 | Mount Pisgah II: the left side |   | 2 mi |
Revisiting this and loving it.. still a bit difficult for me, at my age, I fear rocks.
| ThankI love this trail. Built great, great drainage. Lots of fun ups and downs. Its not very long, about a mile. But, going one way is very different than going the other way. Both are great. Can also cross over at end on way up, and get to the top of The Cure
| ThankThis is a second review, I want to add some m ore information.
This is an intermediate trail, but one the beginner could enjoy. There is a good share of up and down and some great banked curves that BETA did a great job on.
One of the things I would like to add is there is an asphalt multi-use trail near the left side that goes around a pond (used to store water for the ski mountain) that would be great if:
a) you have a child who is not ready for a real trail, but wants to ride his/her bike (with our without training wheels) in a new place in Saranac Lake.
b) you have a companion who wants to take a walk while you are riding either the left or right side of Pisgah.
I rode both the trail and the multi-use trail this on a beautiful autumn day. The multi-use trail had many many Painted Lady butterflies enjoying the wild flowers that surrounded it.
Both of these trails are relatively small, but you can loop back and forth and since Pisgah right-side is nearby you could easily fill a couple hours of fun on the trails.
I suspect in a couple years it won't be the hidden secret it appears to be (each time I was there, less than four other cyclists were around)
| ThankShort great trail... well constructed, the only drawback is the length. It is a great compliment to the more downhill style trail on the otherside of the ski mountain... I lowered it by a star from last year, it is about a 4.5 for me.. there is also the right side of Mt. Pisgah if you want more riding
| ThankThis is a great downhill trail (with no lift) the berms are amazing... or what I could tell from watching a couple riders banging down the hill (I'm too old for that risky behavior).
There is either a nice trail to ride up (I enjoyed it) or a service road so you can get up to the top and ramble down.
Definately a full suspension trail... not quite to the point where you need body armor
Another great http://www.betatrails.org/ constructed trail.
Not a good trail for beginners or younger children.
| ThankThere are trails on both sides of the ski hill now (6/16) looking at mountain, nice single track to the left. On right of ski hill is real nice uphill singletrack meandering to the top. What makes this a 5 Star is the Gravity Trail. Very smooth, monster berms, super fast downhill trail - not bumpy, no rocks. As good a pure smooth gravity trail can get. Careful, you can get going too fast going down (I have 12 stitches to prove it). The other trails are nice, but the Gravity Trail is EPIC
| Thank