Local Areas To Ride
Lake Nockamixon State Park
Beginner/intermediate to advanced trails in a somewhat stacked loop construction. The further from the trailhead the more difficult the trails.
The Northern Loops
Beginner ride less than 2 miles. Start at the trailhead and follow the trail north(to the right) to the access road and turn back (access road goes back up to the parking area). Gently rolling terrain, no log overs, minimal rocks and roots. A beginner skills area is planned for this trail.
Advanced beginners can follow the trail across the access road and down to the lakeside trail headed back south. (There are some short rocky sections, steeper hills, a few creek crossings which can be slippery when wet and some roots to go over) follow the lakeside trail to the first cove where you will cross a creek, you can go left after the creek and left again to cross the creek and head to the trailhead. Or for a longer ride, go right up hill a few hundred yards and make a left which will take you back towards to the trailhead.
The Southern Loops
Intermediate/advanced riders can leave the trailhead and go at it. I prefer going counter-clockwise hitting the northern loop first as described above. Continue following the lakeside trail. There are a couple short steep gully crossings some roots and maybe a log over till you get to the second cove. Cross the sidewalk (a stream crossing) and follow the trail along the lake to the gate. Cross the access road and continue along the trail. DO NOT GO BEYOND THE GATE ONTO THE DAM BREAST THIS AREA IS OFF LIMITS. This trail will take you downhill crossing some nasty gullies, rocks and log overs to south park road where the trail turns left. This section of trail is up/down, twisty, rocky, smooth, rolly polly, open woods, thick cedars, big pines with a kaleidoscope of terrain and enchanted by Gnomes. Cross the access road and head back home.
Trail map
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=745476
Blue Marsh Lake
This trail near Reading, PA circles the entirety of the lake and is approximately 30 miles (not including side trails) in length. The trail is comprised of several different types of track: singletrack, doubletrack, dirt roads, and the occasional section of abandoned blacktop roads.
The trail is not very technical, most sections can be ridden by beginner mountain bikers. Miles 18-22 in particular are well suited for novices as it hugs the shoreline which makes it virtually flat. This is not to say the trail is without its challenges. The length alone can be taxing to most cyclists and there are many climbs which are short in duration but steep in slope. Scenically the trail winds along the lake hugging the shore at times and veering into the woodlands at others. The trails also skirts several fields which are farmed during the warm months. The trail is multi-user and is frequented by hikers, birdwatchers and equestrians as well as bicyclists. Please keep your bike under control as there are lots of other users and many blind turns.
Be sure to bring enough water, there is only one place to refill and that is inside the visitors center at a water fountain. It takes between 2-5 hours to complete the trail depending on ability and desire.
Park Info: http://www.schuylkillriver.org/Detail.aspx?id=75
Official Website: http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/sb/bm_guide.htm
Park Map: http://www.berksweb.com/marsh/marshmap.jpg
Fair Hill (MD)
Located in the northeast corner of Cecil County, Maryland, the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area covers 5,622 acres of gentle rolling hillsides, lush forests, wandering streams, and fertile hayfields. The park boasts over 40 miles of singletrack trails. Add to that the dirt roads and paved sections and you have a treasure of mountain bikers in the tri-state area. If you love singletrack...
Webpages: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/fairhillguide.html
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/programs/nr/fairhill.html
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/fairhill.html
Area Map: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/maps/fairhillmap.html
Fairmount Park
Every city touts its own beauties, but few cities anywhere can lay claim to the sylvan beauty on the banks of the Schuylkill River that are known as Fairmount Park. The Park is the largest landscaped park in the U.S. Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia. It consists of 63 parks, with 9,200 acres, all overseen by the Fairmount Park Commission. The park system is named after its first park, Fairmount Park, which occupies nearly half the area of the whole system, at over 4,100 acres.
Website: http://www.fairmountpark.org/TrailsIntro.asp
Pennypack Park
Pennypack Park is a part of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system that is located in Northeast Philadelphia. It was established in 1905 by ordinance of the City of Philadelphia. The park covers approximately 1,600 acres (6 km2) and is composed of woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The banks of the Pennypack Creek runs through the park from Pine Road all the way to the Delaware River. The park provides playgrounds, hiking and bike trails as well as bridle paths for horse back riding. An adjunct to the Park is the Pennypack Environmental Center on Verree Road.
Many historic structures are still intact throughout Pennypack Park. Built in 1697, the King's Highway Bridge at Frankford Avenue is the oldest stone bridge still in use in the United States.[2] The Pennepack Baptist Church, another of the Park's historic sites, was built in 1688. The Verree House on Verree Road was the site of a raid by British troops during the Revolutionary War. The trained eye can rediscover abandoned railroad grades, remnants of early mills, mill races and other reminders that generations of mankind have gathered in the "Green Heart" of Northeast Philadelphia.
Website: http://balford.com/fopp/
Trail Maps: http://balford.com/fopp/bikemap.jpg and http://www.pennypackpark.org/ppmap2005.htm
Ralph Stover State Park
Ralph Stover State Park is a Pennsylvania State Park on 45 acres (18 ha) in Plumstead and Tinicum Townships in Bucks County. It is a very popular destination for whitewater kayaking on Tohickon Creek, rock climbing on High Rocks, and mountain biking. Ralph Stover State Park is two miles (3.2 km) north of Point Pleasant near Pennsylvania Route 32.
Park Map: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/ralphstover/ralphstover_mini.pdf
White Clay Creek State Park (DE)
White Clay Creek State Park is a Delaware state park along White Clay Creek on 3,300 acres (1,335 ha) in New Castle County, Delaware in the United States. The park, often known by its initials W.C.C.S.P., is near the Mason-Dixon Line. North of the park is Pennsylvania's White Clay Creek Preserve. White Clay Creek State Park was opened in 1968 and offers 30 miles (48 km) of nature and fitness trails which are open to hiking and mountain biking through a number of seasonal day-use fee parking lots.
Website: http://www.destateparks.com/park/white-clay-creek/activities/index.asp
Park Map: http://www.destateparks.com/downloads/maps/white-clay-creek/white-clay-creek.pdf
Wissahickon Valley Park
Located in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, the Wissahickon has been a hot spot for over a century and a half. Long before it became a Park, this picturesque ravine inspired and rejuvenated tourists, painters, writers, photographers and Philadelphians from all walks of life. Stretching for seven miles, this steep river gorge encompasses 1,400 acres. Did you know that the Wissahickon was the first piece of publicly owned U.S. land to be preserved mainly because of its scenic attributes? The Wissahickon offers the only red covered bridge in any major city.
Website: http://www.fow.org/biking.php
Map: http://www.fow.org/documents/map.pdf
Marsh Creek State Park
Marsh Creek State Park is in the rolling hills of northcentral Chester County. The 1,705-acre park contains the 535-acre Marsh Creek Lake, which is great for fishing, sailing and is a reststop for migrating waterfowl.
Website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/marshcreek.aspx
Park Map: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/marshcreek/marshcreek_mini.pdf
GPS Bike Maps http://gpsbikemaps.com/ has a large collection of maps of local mountain bike trails and race courses. See the Trail Map section of their website for details.
Courtesy of HighRoadCycles