Last Updated on April 7, 2026
Mountain biking can look intimidating. The sleek helmets. The custom bikes. The spandex!
Western North Carolina has some of the best mountain biking trails in the nation. But luckily, the region also features some of the most accessible trails. No matter your level of experience on a bike or on mountain trails, there’s a great bike path nearby for you. This is especially true around Waynesville, NC, the Gateway to the Smokies.
Here are our picks for the best biking trails for every level of rider around Waynesville, NC.
Beginner/Kids: Jackson County Greenway
Enjoy a good mix of shade and sun along this nice paved trail that follows along the Tuckasegee River. The trail starts at a large footbridge and features a kids bike park along the route. The trail surface is paved asphalt and smooth, averaging at least eight feet wide. The route is gently graded (5% or less), making it great for young and beginner riders. Don’t be surprised to see strollers, dogs on leash, or even wheelchair users enjoying the path, which also features benches along the route for resting. Click for more info.
Length: 2.3 miles, out and back
Beginner: Lake Junaluska Trail
Nature’s beauty abounds in Lake Junaluska! A paved path encircles the 200-acre lake with more than 2.5 miles of public walking and biking trails, as well as a 1.5-mile extension. There are plenty of opportunities to spot a variety of waterbirds attracted to the lake and enjoy panoramic mountain views from the waterfront. The paved trail surface is typically at least four feet wide, offering plenty of space to move around walkers and other bikers. It is mostly gentle (5% or less grade) except for a moderately steep section up to 8% at 2.7 miles when going clockwise. Bring your sunscreen! Click for more info.
Length: 3.7 miles, loop
Intermediate: Chestnut Mountain Nature Park
Just a few years old, Canton’s Chestnut Mountain Nature Park is a great destination for bikers of all skill levels. The park’s lands and waters are permanently protected by conservation easements, with areas open for people to enjoy, explore, and learn about nature, including eight miles of hiking trails. More than nine miles of mountain biking trails also snake through the park. Among these, “the Berm Park Skills Course consists of over a mile of bike trails for riders to boost their skills in a safe environment.” Its intermediate route, called On the Fly, contains rollers, berms, and jumps with high-speed downhill sections for riders with good bike control and basic jumping experience. Click for more info.
Length: Various, up to 9+ miles
Expert: Wayehutta, Black Mountain, and Deep Gap Trail
Ready for some real mountain biking? Believe it or not, there are many moderate and even easy biking trails in the mountains around Waynesville, including in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Pisgah National Forest, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
If you’re ready for a challenge, we recommend the Wayehutta, Black Mountain, and Deep Gap Trail system. Located a few miles from Waynesville, just outside Cullowhee, the system offers numerous, well-marked trail combinations. The Black Mountain Trail is a relatively new rework from approximately two years ago and has a great mix of both flowy and smooth sections, as well as some highly technical terrain. Depending on your route, you can plan for 2,788 feet of elevation gain! Plan to see some ATVs as you travel the half natural, half gravel trail. Click for more info.
Length: 14.9 miles, out and back
Connect with other riders!
Just a short drive from Waynesville, Brevard, NC is a mountain biking mecca. Warm days in late spring are the best time to hit the trails in and around Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest. Bracken Mountain Preserve, maintained by the City of Brevard, is a great location for beginning and experienced mountain bikers. Its 395 acres abut Pisgah National Forest, and its trails connect to the Fish Hatchery and the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.
Pisgah Area SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association) is a local nonprofit dedicated to “improving mountain biking access and infrastructure while advancing trail stewardship”. They host WNC Bike Fest each May for a day of connection and giving back. Plan to attend this year for guided group rides, bike demos, a kid’s skills park, live music, and connecting with outdoor vendors.
East of Asheville near the continental divide, Old Fort, NC is another destination for mountain bikers. The town hosts an annual race each July aptly called the Off-Road Assault On Mt. Mitchell (ORAMM). This strenuous, 60-mile race features 9,000 feet of climbing and is considered one of the best marathon-distance MTB courses in the U.S. Not for the faint of heart, ORAMM has forced some riders into retirement!
Begin your mountain biking adventures from your Waynesville, NC home
In Western North Carolina, it’s easy to spend every day enjoying a brand new natural wonder in your back yard. High peaks surround the town of Waynesville, once billed as the Gateway to the Smokies and now the seat of Haywood County. Plus, Waynesville’s proximity to Asheville offers residents the best amenities of a larger city while still holding on to its small-town atmosphere. From outdoor adventures to cozy spots downtown, Waynesville welcomes people from many different backgrounds to visit and stay for life.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find your dream home in Waynesville, NC!
