Two Bear Loop - Coldwater Mountain

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Coldwater Mountain might be the last place you'd think you would find some insanely good mountain biking but be sure to put it on your list of places to ride.

The best (and only) place to access the Two Bear Loop is from the Cold Springs trailhead off of Coldwater Road and Hwy 109. The road is steep but paved.

The trails are directional with the exception of two-way traffic on in the inner sections of Baby Bear and Mama Bear between the intersection with Bomb Dog and the Cold Springs trailhead.

The Two Bear Loop is done in a clockwise direction starting with Baby Bear.

The trail is relatively flat to start, with some smaller rollers - it's a good chance to get a feel for mountain bike-optimized trail.

As the loop turns northeast you'll encounter an optional line. Stay right for the easier line. If you stay left, you'll encounter a section of flagstone rocks. The section is not overly technical, just a chance to get a feel for riding armored sections of trail.

Soon, you'll come to an intersection with Mama Bear. Stay left to continue the ride. The first part of Mama Bear is a descent that will make you grin from ear to ear. It will also give you a feel for smooth, non-technical trails at speed. The second part of the trail is a gradual climb that traverses low angle hillsides, winding its way back up and around to the intersection with Baby Bear.

Staying left at the intersection, the canopy over the trail corridor opens up as the route has little elevation change. After a small open area, the trail ducks into a grove of pines.

The last part of the ride has a short descent and climb as it bends around back to the trailhead. This section also includes an intersection with the Bomb Dog trail.

As you enjoy this fantastic outing, consider that IMBA-SORBA and the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association have helped drum up more than $700,000 in federal Recreational Trails Program spending at Coldwater Mountain, creating an amazing resource for mountain bikers in the southeastern US.