MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Paris Mountain State Park

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (57)
  1. Areas
  2. SC
  3. …Upstate SC
  4. …Greenville
  5. Paris Mountain State Park
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A fun ride that showcases the great terrain and trails on offer in this part of the state. ”

Brian Smith
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

11.5

Miles

18.6

KM

95%

Singletrack

1,650' 503 m

High

1,041' 317 m

Low

1,338' 408 m

Up

1,337' 408 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

The trail system at Paris Mountain includes multi-use and hiking-only trails, which are extremely popular among hikers and cyclists alike. Please use extreme caution on descents and exercise proper trail etiquette (yield to hikers, runners and uphill bound cyclists). Please refer to signage and the MTB Project MTB Project mobile app to ensure that you stick to trails open to bike access.

All trails are closed to bikes on Saturdays. In winter, the park stays open late on Tuesdays for night riding.

Overview

This route covers most of the singletrack in the park and offers some great climbs and descents. Paris Mountain is a great ride sure to quickly hush any nay-sayers that either don't know about or don't believe in the great mountain bike experiences on offer in South Carolina.

Expect to be smiling from ear to ear after completing this routes many fun and extended climbs and descents.

Need to Know

Be prepared to pay a user fee upon entry to the park. Fees vary throughout the year. Refer to the following link for up-to-date fees: southcarolinaparks.com/pari…

Description

After entering the park at the south end, park in one of the first three parking areas. Pedal up the paved road, pass the large lakeside park center and turn right down a steep side road immediately thereafter. Head toward a small gazebo that marks the Mountain Creek trailhead and houses a bike maintenance station.

Start pedaling down the smooth-riding Mountain Creek trail and pass both the entrance to Turtle Trail and the amphitheater. After a little over a mile of riding, keep right and begin up the Sulphur Springs trail. Sulphur Springs gains about 500 vertical feet over the course of a mile and a half. The grade steepens as the trail progresses but well built switchbacks keep it easily manageable. The trail surface rolls quickly and features some roots and rocks to keep the climb interesting.

Once you top out, stay left at a junction and descend to the road. Cross the road, enter the adjacent parking lot and head for the trailhead information kiosk. Keep left at the kiosk and pedal up the mellow and smooth Sulphur Springs - Upper trail. This portion of trail is an old roadbed that has been reverted to singletrack. A gradual grade and a smooth riding surface make this an easy climb. At the next junction, stay straight onto Fire Tower trail which continues in the character of Sulphur Springs - Upper.

A brief jaunt on Fire Tower brings you to another junction where you'll turn tight onto Kanuga Connector. Once you hit Kanuga, turn left and get ready for an extremely entertaining mile-long descent. Weave your way through numerous rock and root outcroppings until you bottom out at the lake. Turn left onto North Lake trail and take in the great views as you partially circumnavigate the lake.

Once you reach a junction with Pipsissewa, turn left and begin climbing back up the mountain. Soon after, keep right to enter onto Brissy Ridge - Upper which is a technically challenging climb featuring prominent root and rock obstacles at high frequency. This trail will offer some degree of challenge for riders of most all skill levels. Keep left at a junction with Kanuga. Once you reach the top and a junction with Sulphur Springs - Upper, retrace your steps and cross the road to re-enter Sulphur Springs.

After a very brief climb on Sulphur Springs, you are rewarded with a smooth, flowing descent almost all of the way back to the parking lot. Enjoy the speed and flow of banked switchbacks but be very cautious of and courteous to other trail users.

Contacts

Local Club: Upstate SORBA

Land Manager: SC State Parks - Paris Mountain

Shared By:

Brian Smith with improvements by Glint Gossamer and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 57 votes

#1

in Paris Mountain State Park

#275

Overall
  4.5 from 57 votes
5 Star
56%
4 Star
37%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Paris Mountain State Park

#2

in South Carolina

#275

Overall
152 Views Last Month
30,853 Since Nov 16, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
2%
2%
23%
17%
56%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

There's plenty of flow on the North Lake trail.
Nov 17, 2014 near Travele…, SC
Pedaling up the last bit of Kanuga trail.
Nov 17, 2014 near Travele…, SC
Sulphur Springs Trail has berms!
Nov 17, 2014 near Wade Ha…, SC
Big boulders on the Mountain Creek Trail at Paris Mountain State Park.
Jul 14, 2016 near Wade Ha…, SC
Brissy Ridge Trail at Paris Mountain State Park.
Jul 14, 2016 near Travele…, SC
Brissy Ridge Trail
Feb 28, 2014 near Travele…, SC

5 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 6, 2024
Matthew Cleveland
11.3mi — 2h 14m
Apr 12, 2024
Joel Robinson
Great ride! Trails are a bit confusing, but the locals are all super nice and helpful! 9.4mi — 1h 20m
Oct 2, 2023
Gregg Brown
Sep 13, 2023
Kyle Loganadan
11.5mi
Dec 24, 2022
James Bishop
Great ride! Top of Sulphur Springs is doubletrack but the rest of the top loop is great but be ready for steep climb out. 11.4mi
Dec 21, 2022
Hayden Hughes
Oct 9, 2022
sean fahey
Jan 15, 2022
West Martin

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started