Local Trails

 

Little Bennett Regional Park

Being right across the street from our shop you'll find us on the singletrack at Little Bennett often. We also hold most of our shop rides here.

Any proper mountain bike will work well at Little Bennett including entry level hardtails with decent off road tires. If you have several bikes we would take your lightest and fastest one, Leave your watershed rig at home.

General Trail Info:

  • Well suited for beginners to experts

  • Over 20 miles of twisty singletrack with tree cover

  • Not very technical; some rock sections

  • Climbs can be steep and punchy

  • Abundant flow with Sidewinder Trail as a highlight

  • Muddy in sections, especially in Spring

  • Equestrian use; be aware and yield the trail

  • Multiple trailhead entrances and parking

    • From our shop, ride the sidewalk South (down the hill) on Frederick Road.

    • Cross to the Hyattstown Fire Station parking lot.

    • Head up Hyattstown Mill Road to the yellow gate.

    • Go past the gate to reach the Western Piedmont gravel road.

    • Continue on Western Piedmont gravel road.

    • Note Sidewinder Trail on your left.

    • Cross bridges and take Pine Grove Trail on your left.

    • Climb Pine Grove Trail and reach Timber Ridge trail junction.

    • Go right on Timber Ridge, which leads to Tobacco Barn Trail.

    • Stay straight on Tobacco Barn Trail for more twisty singletrack.

    • Pop out at Clarksburg Road and cross safely to Browning Run Trailhead Parking.

    • Take Pine Knob trail from the parking area.

    • Climb Pine Knob, then continue on to Loggers Trail.

    • Turn left on a rocky section and go right on a dirt road (Purdum Trail).

    • Soon, go left on another dirt road (Browning Run Trail).

    • Enjoy the twisty and rocky section; cross a bridge.

    • Pop out back on Pine Grove trail.

    • Go right onto Pine Grove to reach the Browning Run trailhead parking lot.

    • Cross Clarksburg Road carefully and continue on Browning Run trail.

    • Stay on Browning Run until it spits you out back on the Western Piedmont gravel road.

    • Go right, down a steep hill to reach Pine Grove trail again.

    • Continue past Timber Ridge trail junction to reach the large Prescott Road horse trailer parking area.

    • Cross the parking area, take the Dark Branch trail (straight ahead), then connect with Sidewinder trail.

    • Make a hard left onto Sidewinder and enjoy.

    • Sidewinder will bring you back to the Western Piedmont gravel road.

    • Retrace your ride across Frederick Road and back up the sidewalk to the shop.

    You did it! A fun 12 miles or so of some of the best singletrack Little Bennett has to offer. High fives all around!

  • More Little Bennett information here

    https://more-mtb.org/products/little-bennett-regional-park

 

Frederick Watershed

A jewel of technical riding with everything from trail to freeride to downhill!

The Frederick Watershed is one of our favorite places to ride. Located about 20 minutes north of our shop it's easy to get to and super fun. The riding here is rocky and rough and is not suited for beginners.

Solid Intermediate to very advanced riders will have a blast.

General Trail Info:

  • The Frederick Watershed offers numerous trails, often requiring advance planning with Trailforks or riding with experienced friends.

  • If you're new to the area, start with the newer trails off Hamburg Road.

  • Want more specific info? Call the shop and talk to Scott! He has been riding the Shed for 25+ years…

    • There are upper and lower parking areas off Hamburg Road.

    • The upper lot offers more parking spaces, while the lower lot has limited parking.

    • Park at the upper lot on Hamburg Road with a trail kiosk and map.

    • Start with the Catoctin Trail, which is rocky and technical with minimal elevation changes.

    • After crossing the creek and up a couple of switchbacks, take KIller Bee to Stoner Road.

    • Go down Stoner Road past the pond to Huggy Bear.

    • At the top of Huggy Bear go left down Lawnmower.

    • Where Lawnmower meets the Catoctin Trail, go right until the junction with VW (Rusted Bug…).

    • VW ends at Hamburg Road. Cross and take Knucklebuster back to the Catoctin Trail and the parking lot

    • This is for the Boundary Line & Three Saws Trails

    • Cross the creek and take Three Saws up. This is the “climbing” trail so if you descend it, but very aware of climbing riders!

    • At the top, you have the choice of Catovid, Boundary Line, The Nose, Moustrap, and Funhouse.

    • The Nose, Mousetrap, and Funhouse are steep and short and feed back into Three Saws.

    • Boundary Line and Catovid take you all the way back to the bottom. Boundary Line is flowy with berms and table tops while Catovid is much more technical.

    • It's once again technical and rocky. Ride carefully.

    • The terrain is rough and rocky, so a full-suspension bike with at least 140mm of rear travel is recommended.

    • Wider (2.5 or so) tires with extra sidewall protection are advised, such as Maxxis exo plus or double down.

    • Many riders use Cush Core liners for added rim protection.

    • Bikes with slacker headtube angles handle steep rocky sections well, typically found in modern trail and enduro bikes.

    • Consider shorter crankarms (155-165) to reduce pedal strikes in rocky terrain.

    • Bashguards to protect chainrings and chainguides are recommended.

    • Full face helmets, elbow and knee pads are a good idea in the Watershed.

    • Many Watershed riders have a dedicated "Shed Bike" suitable for rugged terrains.

      • Many Watershed riders have a dedicated Shed Bike that they may also ride at bike parks like Bryce and the George Washington National Forest in areas like Stokesville.

      • The bike that works great in the Shed is probably not going to be ton of fun pedalling Little Bennett or Ten Mile Creek. Enjoy the bike you have though and do your best to always make it fun!

    • Always wear proper protective gear and ride within your abilities.

    • If uncertain about any trail features, stop and inspect them first.

  • More information on the Frederick Watershed can be found here:

    https://www.trailforks.com/region/frederick-watershed/