Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Lake Powhatan loop from Bent Creek
Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Lake Powhatan loop from Bent Creek
4.7
(5684)
8,191
riders
Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Lake Powhatan loop from Bent Creek
02:16
24.4km
410m
Mountain biking
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 27, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Pisgah National Forest
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
2.30 km
Bent Creek Gap Road
Highlight • Mountain Pass
8.57 km
Explorer Loop Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Tip by
10.1 km
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
22.3 km
Lake Powhatan
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
24.4 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
16.2 km
7.86 km
366 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
12.7 km
7.55 km
1.99 km
1.83 km
381 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (870 m)
Lowest point (650 m)
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Today
Wednesday 17 June
29°C
13°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Description
If you're looking for a classic Asheville mountain biking experience that balances effort with reward, the Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Lake Powhatan loop from Bent Creek is an excellent choice. This moderate mountain biking route covers 15.2 miles (24.4 km) with 1347 feet (411 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 15 minutes. It's a fantastic option for riders who enjoy varied terrain and scenic forest views without overly technical challenges, making it one of the most popular mountain biking trails in the area.
What to expect on Bent Creek Experimental Forest – Lake Powhatan loop from Bent Creek
This loop takes you on a journey through the historic Bent Creek Experimental Forest, offering a diverse ride. You'll encounter steady gravel climbs that efficiently gain elevation, leading to rewarding, flowy singletrack descents that are pure fun without being intimidating. As you approach Lake Powhatan, the terrain flattens out, providing easier sections of singletrack and doubletrack, perfect for a warm-up or cool-down. The scenery is consistently beautiful, with dense woods and picturesque views around Lake Powhatan itself, where you can enjoy the lake and creek. The Bent Creek Experimental Forest mountain biking terrain offers a well-rounded experience for intermediate riders, though beginners will find plenty to enjoy on the less technical sections.
Planning your visit
Bent Creek is a very popular destination, conveniently located just a short drive from Asheville. Be aware that the trails are multi-use, so you'll be sharing them with hikers and runners, especially on weekends; remember to yield to other users. While the trails are generally well-maintained, cell service can be unreliable in parts of the forest, so it's a good idea to download offline maps before you go. Parking is available at various access points within Bent Creek, but arrive early on busy days to secure a spot.
Trail details
- Distance: 15.2 miles (24.4 km)
- Elevation gain: 1347 feet (411 metres)
- Difficulty: moderate
- Estimated time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
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