Mountain Biking trail options in Williamsburg VA
Experiencing the great outdoors is one of the best things to do in Virginia. How about experiencing the great outdoors on a mountain bike? We’re not talking about a leisurely stroll through the woods. We’re talking about rampin’ tree stumps, mud in your face, rocky terrain mountain biking. There’s epic mountain biking trails all over, so if you’re a mountain biker looking for some new tracks, check out some of these!
Freedom Park – Williamsburg
Choose “Trail C” of the six mountain biking trails at Freedom Park and experience the premiere Freeride Trail, boasting dozens of TTFs (Technical Trail Features), including dirt rollers, berms, log skinnies, teeter totters, A-frames, table-tops, gap jumps, gravity pits and more. “Trail D” is the park’s most difficult trail at five miles long and is the most overall technical cross-country terrain. Be prepared for sudden changes through hardwood and pine forests, several sets of switchbacks, and many short but twisty (and rooty) uphill sections with sharp turns.
York River State Park – Williamsburg
York River State Park 16 miles of designated single-track trails, as well as 15+ miles of double-track, multi-use trails. The Marl Ravine Trail is the original 6.5 mile, single-track loop at the park. This trail runs counter-clockwise and it is the most challenging trail at the park. The trail offers challenging roots, switch backs, short, steep ascents, flowing descents, and four wooden bridge crossings. The John Blair Trail is the newest trail in the YRSP trail system. This bi-directional trail traverses eastward crossing the park’s existing fire roads, allowing single-track access to some of the most beautiful areas of the park.
Upper County Park (James City Co.) – Toano
The 3.7-mile loop trail at Upper County Park is a technical one, with tight turns and off camber sections. Aerobically, this trail is one of the most challenging around, where many climbs come one after the other with few flat areas to recover. You will find it hard to take you hands off the bar to grab a water bottle or even your hydration pack hose. The trail sees little use, so expect a few sticks and branches and a narrow tread through low bush, which covers much of the forest floor along the trail.
–New Quarter Park – Williamsburg
This trail was designed and built by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org). This is another great trail built and maintained by the Eastern Virginia Mountain bike Association (www.evma.org). Part of the Confederate Defensive Line was on this property and there are three Civil War dugouts clearly visible in the first mile of the trail. Please respect the area’s history by not disturbing them. The trail is a 5.8 mile single-track loop designed to be ridden counter-clockwise and is suitable for intermediate riders. Beginners will have trouble negotiating some of the tight turns and climbs, but there’s nothing dangerous to contend with. All the obstacles are either reasonable or have a ride-around. The first 3 miles follow the contours of a ravine which runs from the parking lot to the park entrance and there is barely a flat section in it – you’re going up or you’re going down! Most of the trail has good flow and sweeping turns, but there are some tight turns on downhill sections to watch out for. Once you know the trail you can carry your speed. Most of the climbing in this section of the trail is between milepost 2 and milepost 3. The second half of the trail returns to the parking lot closer to the tree line. There is less climbing and fewer sharp turns, but still enough challenge to hold your interest. The trail has an offshoot a little way past the 3 mile post. Go straight for a shortcut or turn right for more of a challenge. At the next split in the trail, go left for a large log pile, or right to detour around it. After a double switchback climb and an uprooted tree made into a smooth ride-over is about the only flat area of the trail. It’s fast and fun so make the most of it because there’s more climbing ahead. When you get to bumps like plow furrows you’re almost done.
Trail Map: Click Here To View
Williamsburg Outside.com 
