Kitsuma Trail is an absolute classic in the Pisgah National Forest area, so classic in fact that Litespeed Bicycles named one of their old Hardtails after the trail.

After a short road ride to the trailhead from the parking area, the "intermediate" grade of Kitsuma is clear as soon as you start on the first switchback. Better find your climbing gears! After 1,000 feet of elevation gain in 12+ brutal switchbacks and close to 3 miles, your thighs will thank you as you near Kitsuma Peak-the summit of the trail. As you ride along a mellow ridge at the summit, the beautiful views of Mt. Mitchell and thick North Carolina forest offer some momentary relief from the climbing before starting down the lightning fast descent.

Though the climbing to the peak is difficult, the iconic 2.8 miles of descent towards the Old Fort picnic area allow ferocious speeds on unbelievably fast and flowy singletrack. The flow of the trail is accented with a healthy number of big berms, drops, and some rolling jumps that let you enjoy and play on your bike to the fullest. There are a handful of tighter corners on the downhill, so stay loose and prepare for these or you will shoot headfirst into the North Carolina brush. The trail and especially the descent are best ridden dry. The well-worn dirt on Kitsuma offers fantastic grip if you're riding sticky tires, but the trail and roots can also be on the loose side of things when wet or covered with leaves.

After resting and regaining the feeling in your face at the Old Fort picnic area, ride left onto Old US-70 and take the next left turn onto a paved road. Follow this road for 5 miles over some easy climbing back to the Kitsuma trailhead, rest for a bit more, then ride it again!