KITSUMA TRAIL
Kitsuma in the Pisgah National Forest is one of the more “ famous ” mountain bike trails in the Asheville area . So famous in fact Litespeed named one of their bikes after this trail . The suggested ride is a 10-mile loop with close to 2,200 feet of elevation change . The ride starts with a serious lungbuster of a climb that challenges you with 14 switchbacks . Don ’ t let the first painful 15 minutes get in your head-the next 5 miles consist of epic and sometimes steep rolling singletrack on the ridgeline that ends with a fast and furious downhill into the Old Fort picnic area . From the picnic area hang a left on to the paved road ( look for the Dead End sign , house with barking dogs , and garden with scarecrow ). After a half mile , this turns into the Point Lookout Trail - the original road from Old Fort to Black Mountain - and is completely closed to cars . From here it ’ s essentially a 5-mile road ride with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain . Enjoy the views of the opposing mountain you just conquered .
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