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Uwharrie

Distance: 14 mi Elevation Gain: 1200 ft Est. Time: 2-3 hours for a full tour Difficulty: Intermediate

Backcountry riding in the Uwharrie National Forest. Rocky climbs and fast descents on Keyauwee and White Tail, with gentler Supertree and a gravel forest road for newer riders.

The Wood Run Mountain Bike Trail System sits in the Uwharrie National Forest, on NC 24/27 between Albemarle and Troy. The Uwharries are among the oldest mountains in North America, worn down to rounded ridges that top out around 1,000 feet. They aren't tall, but the riding here has real climbs, plenty of rock and a remote, backcountry feel.

Everything starts at the Wood Run Trailhead on NC 24/27. From the parking area, the gated, gravel Wood Run Road and the Wood Run singletrack both head north to Wood Run Camp, about 1.4 miles in. That's the hub and main parking point. Keyauwee loops off to the west of the road, Supertree loops off to the east, and White Tail is a short connector that ties Supertree back toward the camp.

Keyauwee (about 5.8 miles) is the trail most riders come for. Expect long climbs, rocky descents, a few log rides and a creek crossing. White Tail (1.6 miles) is short but about as challenging. Supertree (3.7 miles) is the gentlest singletrack, with some gravel-road stretches and a long descent to the creek. It's named for a stand of experimental loblolly pines along the route.

The bike trails are marked with blue blazes. The white-blazed Uwharrie National Recreation Trail and the yellow-blazed Dutchman's Creek Trail cross the area and are hiking only, so please stay on the blue-blazed trails. You'll share the bike trails with hikers and trail runners, and the forest is open to hunting in season.

Mountain bikers have ridden here since at least the late 1990s. A major phase of trail work that began in 2009 added about six miles of purpose-built singletrack, and Wood Run Trail was later extended so it now starts right at the main parking area. Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers maintain the trails in partnership with the US Forest Service.

Interactive Trail Map

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Details & Logistics

Main Parking Lot

4403 NC Hwy 24/27, Troy, NC 27371

Forest Service trailhead on NC 24/27, about 10 miles west of Troy and two miles east of the bridges over Lake Tillery / Pee Dee River. Info board with maps at the trailhead. The gravel Wood Run Road leaves from the lot and is gated to cars; the Wood Run singletrack starts close by.

Get Directions

Wood Run Camp lot

Up the gravel road about 1.5 miles from the main trailhead beside the highway. Gravel road can be closed to vehicles when hunting camp not open. Pit toilet.

Get Directions

Gate Hours

Open year-round. No posted closing time for the trailhead or the bike trails.

E-Bike Rules

E-bikes are NOT allowed on the Wood Run singletrack (Wood Run, Supertree, Keyauwee and White Tail). The U.S. Forest Service treats all e-bikes, including Class 1 pedal-assist, as motor vehicles, so they may only use roads and trails that are open to motor vehicles. In the Uwharrie, e-bikes can ride the Badin Lake OHV trails with a valid trail pass.

Seasonal Information

The rocky soil drains well, so these trails rarely close for rain. Hunting is allowed throughout the forest, so it's recommended to wear blaze orange in hunting season. In fall, leaves hide the rocks, so take it a little easier. Storms can bring trees down, and some stay down for a while; please report them through Trailbot.

Riding Direction

The trails are two-way, so expect riders and hikers coming toward you. There's no required direction. We'd suggest Supertree clockwise - you're generally climbing up Wood Run and descending that way. We'd also suggest Keyauwee clockwise for the most downhill singletrack and to put you ready to ride White Tail back, although you pay for it with a long climb back up towards the end of Keyauwee. But riders ride them both ways. Stay on the blue blazes: white and yellow blazes mark hiking-only trails.

Night Riding

No posted closing time, but the trails are remote and unlit. If you ride after dark, bring good lights, spare batteries, and ride with friends.

Nearby Amenities

Troy (about 10 miles east) and Albemarle (about 10 miles west) have gas, food and groceries. No really nearby bike shops - closest is in Locust, about 30 mins drive from trailhead. Plan to be self sufficient on the trails as this is back country.

Restrooms

Primitive pit toliet at Wood Run Camp, about 1.4 miles up Wood Run Road, where Keyauwee and Supertree begin.

Trail Segments

Wood Run Road

Gated gravel forest road from the NC 24/27 parking area north to Wood Run Camp (about 1.4 miles), then on past the far ends of Keyauwee and Supertree. The easiest way in and out, and a handy bail-out route. Watch for Forest Service vehicles and road work.

Beginner 5 mi

Supertree

The gentlest singletrack loop, east of Wood Run Road. Much less technical than Keyauwee, with gravel-road stretches and a long descent to the creek. Follow the blue blazes: the yellow-blazed Dutchman's Creek hiking trail weaves in and out.

Beginner 3.7 mi

Wood Run

Two-way singletrack from the main parking area to Wood Run Camp, running close to the road. Rocky in places, with a fun downhill near the start. A good warm-up and the usual way to reach the main loops.

Intermediate 2.1 mi

Keyauwee

The signature trail, west of Wood Run Road. Long climbs, rocky descents, berms, a few log rides, rock-garden options and creek crossings. Rated intermediate, but many riders find it harder. Our recommendation is to ride it clockwise for the best experience. Newer riders should try Supertree first.

Intermediate 5.8 mi

White Tail

Short blue connector linking Supertree back toward Wood Run Camp. Long fast downhill singletrack sections. Similar in challenge to Keyauwee, just shorter. Great for extending a loop or as a return option after riding Keyauwee.

Intermediate 1.6 mi

First Timer Tips

Park at the Wood Run Trailhead on NC 24/27. Take care with GPS from other sites that may send you to a locked gate.
Follow the BLUE blazes. White blazes (Uwharrie Trail) and yellow blazes (Dutchman's Creek Trail) are hiking only. Dutchman's Creek weaves in and out of Supertree, so watch for it.
New to trail riding? Ride Wood Run Road to Wood Run Camp and try Supertree first. Save Keyauwee for when you're comfortable on rocky climbs and descents.
Trails are two-way and shared with hikers and runners. Slow down at blind corners and be ready to yield.
It's a big, remote forest. Carry plenty of water, snacks, a spare tube and tools, and we’d recommend some kind of GPS tracking
In hunting season, wear blaze orange - you move fast but you are not a deer!.
If you want the complete experience a good 17 mile route is as follows. Start at the trailhead by the road. Ride the Wood Run trail to the camp. Take Wood Run road up to Supertree and follow it all the way back to the camp. Then ride Keyauwee (about an hour by itself). Take the first part of Supertree back, but then turn right and ride White Tail. From the camp, cruise down Wood Run road for a well-earned cooldown. 2-3 hours for the whole thing.