There are still many questions surrounding the state of mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, North Carolina, months after Hurricane Helene’s landfall. Which trails are open? What are the conditions like? Is now a good time to go? And now that the dust has largely settled — how can I help?
The short answer is — while the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest was impacted by the hurricane, overall, it is in good shape. So, there’s good news for bikers itching to get their wheels back in the forest. The mountain biking trails of the Pisgah Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest are open and ready to welcome riders. We’ve gathered the information that you need to know about trail conditions, how visiting mountain bikers can support the local economy around Brevard, North Carolina, and what they can do to help the Pisgah Ranger District.
The state of the Pisgah Ranger District
To get a better idea of the current trail conditions in the area, we spoke with Natalie Narburgh, Executive Director of Pisgah Area SORBA (PAS). PAS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve mountain biking opportunities by maintaining and improving trail systems in the Pisgah Ranger District and surrounding region.
When asked about the Pisgah Ranger District trail conditions, Narburgh said that the area was lucky and fared well compared to the two surrounding districts in the forest. “Almost all of our mountain biking trails are open and accessible, although riders may expect to encounter some increased erosion and a few obstacles such as landslides in some areas,” she said. “On our website, we have a Trail Conditions page which can be helpful with which trails they should expect obstacles or inaccessible routes. For the most part, the most popular routes [near Brevard] are clear and rideable following the hurricane.” PAS volunteers put in over 2,200 hours of work to clear trails following the hurricane to make this accessibility possible.
This time of year, Narburgh also explained something riders should keep top of mind — “freeze-thaw” conditions — which can wreak havoc on the trails if riders aren’t aware of what’s going on.
“You hear about a lot of ‘muddy’ trails this time of year. When the moisture freezes overnight, then thaws during the day, the trail softens, and riding in these conditions causes ruts and other damage to the trail systems. Riders are encouraged to either ride when the ground is still frozen or choose an alternate route if they notice they are leaving a rut. That’s the best way to minimize unnecessary trail damage! The best way for people to stay updated is to follow our organization on social media and sign up for our newsletter.”
Organizations helping the forest and supporting mountain biking
Two major organizations that support mountain biking trails in this section of the forest are PAS, referenced above, and The Pisgah Conservancy. The Pisgah Conservancy (TPC) is an organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to provide key resources for the benefit of Pisgah National Forest and its visitors for generations to come. They contributed heavily to the accessibility and maintenance of trails in the area and had a hand in repairing many of the trails in the area following the extensive storm damage. In partnership with PAS, they ensure that recreation opportunities remain open to mountain bikers in Pisgah Ranger District.
The Transylvania County Tourism Development Authority (TCTDA) has the goal of being the leader in the effort to care for the county’s abundant natural resources and extraordinary public lands. Through its Transylvania Always initiative, the TCTDA has helped fund several major trail improvements in the Pisgah Ranger District by both TPC and PAS. This includes the Joel Branch Connector, Cantrell Creek Trail, and Estatoe Trail, to name a few. With TCTDA grants through Transylvania Always, Pisgah Area SORBA has been able to purchase some machinery needed for trail maintenance and take on much-needed projects, such as the one at Butter Gap trail. In recent years, the TCTDA has contributed over $200,000 to assist these organizations in their efforts in the forest.
How visitors can help
So, how can visiting mountain bikers also support the local biking community in Transylvania County? One of the best ways to help is by Exploring Responsibly. Especially following Helene, visitors are encouraged to practice destination stewardship — by taking care of public lands, treating locals respectfully, and contributing to the local economy by shopping locally when in the area.
Narburgh also recommends visitors renting and/or purchasing gear from local bike shops. The shops are an excellent resource for up-to-date trail data, trail recommendations, and current conditions.
Maintaining such a large area of trails is no small task, and it requires a substantial amount of resources — both monetarily and with trail crews. For those interested in voluntourism on their next mountain biking trip, Pisgah Area SORBA hosts trail workdays, usually once per month, and sometimes more often. The best way to stay up to date and sign up as a volunteer is to sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Visitors can also come out and help on Pisgah Project Day on Saturday, April 26th, 2025. This day of volunteering is organized by The Pisgah Conservancy and is supported by TCTDA, the lead sponsor for the past four years. For those interested, volunteer registration opens in mid-March.
Plan ahead and prepare
As most seasoned mountain bikers know, it’s important to respect the land while riding and plan ahead for each ride. Everyone in the outdoors is encouraged to Leave it Better. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to map out a plan before rushing into the forest. Local bike shops are a good resource for trail maps to keep riders on the right path.
Must-ride trails in the Pisgah Ranger District
The Pisgah Ranger District is famous for its mountain biking trails, but there are a couple of iconic rides that Narburgh recommends. The Butter Gap Trail and Black Mountain Trail are stand-outs in Pisgah. Not only are they a blast on downhill sections, but they also offer some classic Blue Ridge Mountain scenery and just the right amount of gnar for a nice challenge.
To learn more about mountain biking in Transylvania County, visit ExploreBrevard.com and start planning your escape to our corner of the mountains.
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