Level: Intermediate
Length: 5 mi (8 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +634/690 ft
Total: 128 riders
Mountain Biking Thrift Cove
#48 of 538 mountain bike trails in North Carolina
#994 in the world
Start riding the trail at the back of the parking lot. Go about 0.1 miles and turn right up Thrift Cove trail. Follow the red blazes and turn left at the intersection with Grass Road. On the way back down, take Black Mountain trail (down left, not right) and follow the white blazed trail to the bottom. Be sure to catch some air on the whoop te doos after you pass Thrift Cove trail again. These are probably the best jumps I've seen and there are five in a row there. Plenty of time for recovery, lots of speed. I went back and rode these from the parking lot again and again. So much fun. About 750' of elevation change.
First added by Jeff Barber on Jan 1, 2003. Last updated May 2, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
"From Asheville, take I-26 South to exit 9 (NC 280). Go right towards Brevard. Go approximately 15 miles to US 276. Turn right. You will see the huge rock sign that says Pisgah N.F. Go about 1.2 miles and park at the second parking lot on the right beside the work center.
What a blast!!! Very fast downhill with nice conditions.
| ThankWow this trail is fun!! I was told by a local that a lot of work was done on this trail somewhat recently. That work really paid off. This trail was amazing. Only downfall... it is short.
| ThankThift Cove is a trail that links from Grassy Rd trail over to Lower Black Mountain trail. Climbing Thift is a nice gradual climb without any super steep grades or technically challenging features other than the occasional roots and rocks. It is a great warmup for the decent down Lower Black Mountain, or if you are feeling adventurous, the climb up to Middle Black Mountain (very technically challenging up and down). Thrift is a fun and very fast decent if you are coming from the other side (Black Mountain) and is good to link up the Sycamore Cove Trails for more riding when that fits the bill.
| ThankAwesome ride, nice climb and a speedy down hill, good ride if your crunched for time, like after work or something .
| ThankFast and flowy.
| ThankThis was a nice climb up. While it is pretty steep, it is relatively smooth and definitely rideable. Being in the granny gear the whole time is way more fun than the hike-a-bike that is to follow if you continue up Black Mountain
| ThankThis trail is absolutely amazing. The first trail I ever did in Pisgah, and was blown away. Start in the grassy parking lot, and If i remember it is 1.8 miles dead straight up. Then level for about .7 miles, then 2 miles of sheer enjoyment downhill. Extremely fast, huge jumps. Remember to ALWAYS get a straight line before your jump, as this is very curvey trail, and is a ridge. I landed off-sides @ 20 mph once and about killed myself. Everyone who does this trail skids back into the parking area with the biggest smile on their face I've ever seen.
| Thankthis little loop only takes about 30-45 minutes so i suggest doing it both ways...those of you who always ride thrift cove first might be pleasantly surprised at how fun thrift cove is downhill!
| Thank