Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park.
The park is located a very short drive out Hwy 421, east of Boone. The address is: 285 Mountain Bike Way, Boone, NC 28607.
Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset.
Here’s how the park describes itself:
Rocky Knob Park is a 100+ acre mountain bike park that has over 10 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, a playground, a picnic shelter, public restrooms, and a velo design asphalt pump track.
The trails at Rocky Knob Park and maintained by the Boone Area Cyclists who host weekly volunteer days and are constantly adding new trails, updating features and increasing stoke about the park. The trails range from beginner green trails to double black diamond, downhill jump lines.
For a brochure and map showing the bike trails, go to:
RailRoad Grade Road, Todd NC 28684
Railroad Grade Road is a two lane paved road that runs from Todd, NC through Fleetwood, terminating on Hwy 221N. It’s an actually flat road, quite rare in the mountains. It’s named ‘Railroad Grade Road’ because in the past it was the road bed for a train, no longer in existence. It runs along the New River. Thus, there are beautiful river views along the ride and also many pastoral scenes — pastures, mountains, old barns. It also passes the Todd Island Community Park, where you can pause on your ride with access down to the river. In addition to car traffic, in lovely weather you are likely to encounter others riding bicycles plus people who enjoy walking Railroad Grade Road. Parking can be tight in Todd itself, if you arrive on a day when many others are there. One option would be to park at the Todd Island Park [1219 Todd Railroad Grade Road, Todd NC 28684]. Another option would be to park at a second Todd park where more ample parking is available, Green Valley Community Park located at 3896 Big Hill Road, Todd NC 28684. You can then bike about two miles from Green Valley Community Park to Todd and theRailroad Grade Road.
The Boone Greenway
The Boone Greenway is a paved path that winds through parts of the town of Boone. For some of its distance, it runs along the New River. You won’t encounter any cars but it is a popular walking/running trail so you are very likely to pass many people. Much of the route is flat, with a few rolling inclines, nothing steep. Most of the path is away from streets or houses or businesses.
For a map, visit:
Greenway-Trail-PDF (townofboone.net)
The MIddle Fork Greenway
The Middle Fork Greenway is a path that leads from Blowing Rock to Boone along the Middle Fork of the New River, and for the most part along Hwy 321/221, along some portions with views of the four lane highway. Designed for both walking, running, and bike riding, you won’t encounter cars but are likely to pass other people.
A good source for more information is:
The Middle Fork Greenway Trail Guide (exploreboone.com)
The Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway crosses through Ashe, Watauga, and Avery counties in our area. Designed for leisurely drives through out beautiful mountains, you obviously will encounter cars, including sometimes quite wide RV’s. There aren’t very many or very long flat areas, so expect continual rolling and steep hills. You’ll have the option of campgrounds, overlooks for pausing to take in views and historical areas, and many points to enter and exit the Parkway. To plan your ride and learn more about biking on the Parkway, visit: