Kitsuma / Heartbreak

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This ride features a little bit of everything over on the Kitsuma side, while providing a longer alternative to Kitsuma.

Bring plenty of water and maybe a few friends.

This ride heads up Old Highway 70, down Kitsuma Trail which offers a fun and challenging start to the ride. The trail heads through a gentle forest road next to Interstate 40 then quickly goes straight up. When the forest floor is somewhat dry, it's possible, but challenging, to clear all of the switchbacks on the way to Kitsuma Peak.

After another short and steep climb, you can enjoy the legendary 2.8-mile downhill towards the Old Fort picnic area. It begins with a rocky descent into a quick left-hand switchbacks. Water bars, doubles, drops and a couple of berms accent the ridiculously fast, sometimes narrow and flowy track through the forest.

Next, head up the road to Heartbreak Ridge. This climb is gonna hurt, but you'll be rewarded with a downhill but ou have to earn it first. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Though it is not the most technical of trails in Pisgah, there is plenty of gnar, especially when descending at speed. Expect to encounter rocky sections with shallow drops, roots, and off-camber areas with steep slopes off the sides.

Once you are back down Heartbreak Ridge, head down Jarrett Creek Road - FSR 4030 and enjoy the long way out of the woods.