With the promise of cooler weather right around the corner, it’s time to break out those mountain bikes and hit the more than 80 miles of trails around the Mooresville area.
You can expect anything from beginner friendly to intermediate and advanced trails with features like berms and rock gardens and lots of flow. You may also be pleasantly surprised at the elevation changes that will get your heart pumping.
Mazeppa Park
Mazeppa Park has five miles of trails with sweeping turns, berms, and rock gardens. It’s a great trail for beginners but it offers enough technical features to appeal to more experienced riders.
Lake Norman State Park
The trails at Lake Norman State Park have approximately 30 miles of rolling, forested trails. There are trails for beginners as well as intermediate riders. The Monbo loop is fast and flowing. The Itusi trail features dips and berms and some elevation and runs along the shores of Lake Norman at different spots on the trail. The Laurel and Wildlife Loops are more challenging with elevation gain, technical terrain and flow mixed in that will have you grinning from ear to ear. If you slow the pace, you might catch a glimpse of wildlife like deer, blue herons, osprey and box turtles.
The direction of travel changes each year, with loops ridden counter clockwise on odd years and clockwise on even years.
Take your swimsuit for after the ride as the park has a public swimming area and kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals available.
Mountain Creek Park
The newest park in the area, Mountain Creek Park has some dedicated bike-only trails and endless route combinations. The single lane course over 18 miles includes dirt rollers, berms, rock jumps, gullies and drops. A 1 acre pump track within the park is perfect for beginners practicing balance and skills. There is also a tot track for young riders.
When the ride is over, stay to check out the pickleball courts, fishing pier, dog park and more.
US National Whitewater Center
Just a short drive toward Charlotte will bring you to over 40 miles of trails that flow through the forest and alongside creeks and the Catawba River at the Whitewater Center. The wide variety of trails range from beginner to difficult with technical terrain and elevation gain that will appeal to those riders looking for a challenge.
If you have any energy left after a ride, check out the whitewater rafting or kayaking in the world’s largest manmade whitewater river for a true thrill. There is also flat water kayaking or stand up paddleboarding, zip lining, a ropes course, climbing, deep water solo and yoga.
After the Ride
You are sure to work up an appetite after mountain biking, and the restaurants and watering holes in Mooresville are the perfect place to refresh. A variety of locally owned eateries serve up mouth watering dishes. Scratch Kitchen serves gastropub fare made scratch from the freshest local ingredients, and is popular with craft beverage enthusiasts thanks to its extensive drink menu. Take in some scenery with your meal at waterfront restaurants in Mooresville like Toucan’s Lakefront, Havana33 and Eddies on Lake Norman. Or grab a unique burger or wood-fired pizza at the restaurants at Merino Mills, Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden and Alino Pizzeria.
You can also grab some food truck grub at one of the local breweries on the Mooresville Ale Trail. Hit all six breweries and check in on the HoppApp to win a prize bundle.
Learn more about mountain biking and other outdoor recreation in Mooresville here.
Cover Photo by Visit Mooresville
