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A true gem on the NC/TN border with steep, remote, technical singletrack and some hike-a-bike and fire road connections.


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Map Key

19.9

Miles

32.1

KM

75%

Singletrack

2,558' 780 m

High

1,219' 372 m

Low

3,707' 1,130 m

Up

3,707' 1,130 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

56%

Max Grade (29°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Overview

This ride is steep, technical, and remote. Located on the North Carolina, Tennessee border, this is a true gem that is starting to get more recognition as a riding destination for mountain bikers from the Knoxville, TN and Asheville, NC areas looking for a more remote trail experience.

A mix of mostly steep, narrow singletrack that hangs on the side of the mountain with a more technical mix of rock strewn trail on the east side of Lone Pine Gap. This ride is highly recommended for more experienced riders who love true old style, rugged singletrack.

Need to Know

Understand this is a remote area, and the trails are extremely rugged but super fun for the experienced rider who enjoys steep, rugged trails with lots of rock and root features.

Description

This ride can be started from the NC side or the Tennessee side as described. Parked on Weavers Bend Road between the Paint Mountain Trail #7 and Chimney Rocks. Start by climbing Chimney Rocks #154, a steep rutted out trail that is fun to descend, but in doing this loop, is better as a steep climb with some hike-a-bike involved. Climb to the intersection with Paint Rock Trail and look to the right for a view of the French Broad River and on clear days the mountains beyond.

Take a right and rail down the mountain on a steep downhill track that hugs the edges of the mountain's contours with a few jumps and berms for a rip-roaring fun descent that ends too soon at Paint Mountain Road. Take a left, up the road for a steady grind all the way to Lone Pine Gap, passing and making a note of a gated doubletrack on the left about two miles up. This is a turn about 15 miles into the ride for a climb up to the top of Paint Mountain on Cummins Branch Rd #54B. As stated before, continue up Paint Mountain Road #54 to Lone Pine Gap, approximately three miles from the bottom of the Paint Rock Trail and a mile past the gated doubletrack.

Take a right on Paint Creek Trail following the contour above the powerlines for about a mile. Zip down a fun track of singletrack and take a right as the doubletrack turns uphill and fades into the forest and a true singletrack appears to the right. This trail contours along the mountainside with a few technical root and rock moves and a few fun descents before the trail starts hugging a heavily vegetated cliff-side with a few tough moves and and a slower up and down traverse. There are views of the mountains in the fall and winter to the right but best to keep the eyes on the trail unless your stopping for a rest break.

Beyond this, the trail dives back into the forest and becomes more and more technical and steep. One or two short hike-a-bikes may exist for less experienced riders, but overall this section rips with lots of root and rock moves that will challenge the best of riders.

After a chunky bit of trail, look for a hard right turn with singletrack continuing straight. The straight section of trail starts becoming more level and has lots of rock moves, an interesting challenge that eventually ends at the Lower Paint Creek Road but you'll want to take the hard right for a fun forest descent with tank trap style jumps, a log ride/jump and whoops 'n hollers through the trees.

Take a right on Lower Paint Creek Road and ride downhill through a picnic area back to Paint Mountain Road #54. Take a right up Paint Mountain Road and pass Paint Rock Trail on your left, you came down this earlier, and continue to the gated doubletrack on your left approximately two miles up. Take a left and continue climbing the mountain until you intersect Cummins Branch Rd #54B singletrack that appears to the left approximately 1.5 miles up.

Continue on this singletrack for about a mile until you reach the top of Paint Mountain and the intersection with Paint Mountain Trail #7. Take a right and descend a steep, tight extremely narrow singletrack with a few steep, short climbs for the first half mile or so and then the trail drops all the way to the bottom.

Near the bottom, there will be an unmarked Y in the trail. Take a right for the bike legal way down to the road; straight is hiking only. Once you're back on Weaver Bend, take a left and ride to your vehicle with a smile on your face.

History & Background

Historically, this area was open for hiking only until it was opened officially to mountain biking in 2014.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jeremy Hedrick with improvements by Sean Wiggins

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 15 votes

#769

Overall
  4.8 from 15 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
20%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#16

in Tennessee

#769

Overall
92 Views Last Month
11,772 Since Apr 29, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
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67%
33%

Photos

Wesley Lamberson riding Paint Mountain Trail circa 2014, photo by Jerry Greer
Dec 10, 2018 near Greenev…, TN
Not an action pic, but views!
Sep 18, 2019 near Newport, TN
Views of the mountain on the North Carolina and Tennessee border.
Apr 29, 2017 near Greenev…, TN
A winter view of the French Broad from the Chimney Rocks and Paint Mountain intersection.
Apr 29, 2017 near Newport, TN
Connector where Short loop picks back up.
Sep 24, 2017 near Newport, TN
Just before short loop connector
Sep 24, 2017 near Newport, TN
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Check-Ins

Jul 3, 2022
Nicholas Feliciano
Lots of challenging rock climbing and descend
Jun 26, 2021
Adam Hester
Great view at the top of chimney rock trail. Deep gorges you can get yourself buried in. Major hike and biking to get yourself to the top for most.
May 14, 2020
Reinhard Eisenmann
The descriptions provided are accurate. There are some steep climbs. The worst part is Paint Mountain Trail downhill is very difficult. Maybe if… 20mi — 5h 00m
Mar 23, 2019
Connor Woodruff
Feb 10, 2019
Justin Dansby
20mi
Jun 26, 2018
Dunc Dunc
Jan 21, 2018
mtndoc Bell
Bomber Trail and Great Climbs!!! 20.2mi
Sep 24, 2017
Collin Wheeler
World Class Ride! Just make sure you're comfortable with your riding skills and not being easily accessible. A bit of hike a bike, but worth it! 7.8mi — 2h 45m
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