Sand Mountain Trails
While most of the trails in this region are fairly easy and beginner friendly, there are a few single-tracks for those riders looking for a challenge. The sandy soil unique to this region can make traction…..interesting. Knobby tires recommended. Bikes must be registered and street legal.
South Sand Mountain Trail
This shale-based trail starts at the Sand Mountain Parking lot, and is the main bike access road to the Sand Mountain trail system. It is wide and easy, and has some nice turns that often develop with banks. It is a Shared Use trail designed for motorcycles, Mountain bikes, horses, and snowmobiles. Here is a great beginner route: South Sand Mountain trial, Ground Oak Trail, Faust Valley Trail, Horse Path Trail, Old Peat Bog Trail.
Ground Oak Trail
This short trail links the North and South sections of the Sand Mountain trail system. Most of the trail has a moderate incline and some spots have deep washouts or loose softball sized rocks that can kick you sideways if you’re not careful. It is a main access trail, so be prepared to come across horses and people.
Faust Valley Trail
This is another easy one. Coming from Ground Oak Trail, there are some rocky sections and a short downhill. After that it straightens out and becomes a wide gravel road. Watch for the next dual-sport trail toward the end on the right; If you get to a gate, you’ve gone too far.
Horse Path Trail
Here is a rough little trail among all these easy ones. From Faust Valley, you’ll go down and cross a bridge and a good mud pit in the wet season. Then it’s a minor ascent with pretty big loose rocks ending at Old Peat Bog Trail.
Old Peat Bog Trail/South Sand Mountain Trail
After bumping your way up Horse Path, you get to take a breather on this smooth shale trail. After a while you get to a clearing with a gate and it gets a bit rougher after that. Bear right up a hill with softball sized rocks. Wind you way through the hills and eventually ascent to a yellow gate. Make a left and you’re back on Sand Mountain Road, or go straight on a bumpy drivable trail that ends up on the Seiglerville-Millheim Pike.
Decker Path
This trail is easiest when ridden from West to East. A short but nasty downhill turns into a pile of horrible rocks and roots at the bottom. After a hard right bend, the remaining trail is a twisty flowing single track. You’ll see trails with Private Property signs for SMCC (Seven Mountains Conservation Corps). It may be tempting, but stay off of those trails.
North Sand Mountain Trail
This is another shale-based beginner trail that takes a long, winding way from Sand Mountain Road to Plantation Trail in the North East. It is pretty smooth and easy, but watch for horses and people, as it is a popular shared use trail.
Ripka Trail
This is just a short little drivable trail that starts at a gate off of Old Sand Mountain Road and merges with North Sand Mountain Trail. There is a short incline and a small section of loose sandstone.
Plantation Trail
This is a nice flowing single-track that widens into a double-track after crossing the Seiglerville-Millheim Pike. There are some short sections of roots and rocks, and also quite a bit of sand. The last section is a single-track that turns off of North Sand Mountain Trail. It’s a fun uphill scramble with tight switchbacks, sandy sweeps, and big water bars.
Old Burn Trail
Starting from Mountain Church Road. There are a few trail intersections in the first section, so watch for sign posts. It will go from rocky hill climb single-track, left on gravel double track, then left onto single track again. From here it is a sphincter-clenching series of switchbacks down to the valley floor. Over a stream, then a keep-on-the-gas rocky uphill that comes to a fence. Swing left and follow the fence down a hill, through some mud, then up some rocks to meet with Old Sand Mountain Road.
Old Sand Mountain Road
You’ll need a break after Old Burn Trail. This drivable trail is nice and smooth.
Tower Trail
See description in Jacks Mountain Trails.
Panther Run Road
See description in Jacks Mountain Trails.