Wood Run Trail System

The Wood Run Trail System is the signature trail project of UMBA. When completed, this trail system will consist of 8 or more interconnected trails. There will be approximately 40 miles of tread, varying from singletrack to gravel logging roads. The stacked loop layout allows riders to pick a route to suit their skill level or available time. These trails are located in a 6,000 acre tract of USFS-owned property which is part of the Uwharrie National Forest.

As of January 2004, four of these trails open for riding - Wood Run Road, Walker Mountain Road, Supertree Trail and Keyauwee Trail. (Pronouce Keyauwee (key-YAH-we).)

UMBA has also developed some Quick Facts sheets for each of the following trails. These documents are in PDF format.

Supertree Trail - Keyauwee Trail - Wood Run Road - Walker Mtn Road

What To Expect: The Wood Run Trails derive more of their appeal and challenge from their length and elevation profiles than from being technically difficult to ride. You won't find lots of jumps or tricks to play on. There aren't any gully drops or balance logs. But you will be able to find 300 foot elevation changes, vistas with 20 mile views, and for the time being - solitude in a near-wilderness setting. In this respect, the Wood Run Trails are unique for the central and eastern parts of North Carolina. You just won't find this kind of mileage and elevation change anywhere else short of driving out to Pisgah or other parts of western NC.

The Wood Run Trails are not all singletrack. Several sections of the trail system follow graveled Forest access roads, including the primary route into the system - Wood Run Road. The beauty of this layout is that you have a 6 mile spine route running through the middle of the system that offers quick, almost-idiot-proof access into and out of the system. There will eventually be three loops off to each side of the spine route. Instead of tight and twisty, you will generally find these routes to be flowing and quick.

Note: The Skyrock Trail has not been completed and is not open yet. UMBA does not have approval from the USFS to open this trail to riding. Exploring the route on bike will jeopardize UMBA's relationship with the USFS, so please stay off this route for now. It can be explored on foot. As soon as the status changes, we will post the news on this website and through UMBA's email list.

Getting here. Need a local vicinity map? How about a topo map centered on the trailhead?

Here is a map showing the entire Wood Run Trail System and the current status of each trail.

Parking. There are two trailheads which provide access to the Wood Run Trail System. The primary trailhead is located on NC 24-27, about 10 miles west of the courthouse in Troy and 2 miles east of Lake Tillery / Pee Dee River. This trailhead is shared by the Uwharrie and Dutchman's Creek hiking-only trails. UMBA has built an informational kiosk at this parking lot. Wood Run Road, a gated, graveled logging road begins at this parking lot and connects to the other trails.

During the fall deer hunting season, the USFS has been opening up a portion of Wood Run Road to allow hunters to drive in and park at Wood Run Camp, a small field about 1.6 miles in. Mountain bikers are free to do so as well. This seasonal trailhead provides direct access to Wood Run Road, Supertree Trail, and Keyauwee Trail.

Walker Mountain Road, another gated gravel logging road, provides access from paved River Road (SR 1150), on the west side of the area. There is only room for 3-4 vehicles to park at this trailhead. Riding up Walker Mountain Road from this trailhead will connect you to the Keyauwee Trail. This obscure trailhead is located about 1.5 miles northof NC 24-27.

Local services. There are two convenience stores located 1 mile west of the main trailhead on NC 24-27. The town of Troy, about 10 miles east on NC 24-27, offers several fast food restaurants. The city of Albemarle, about 6 miles to the west on NC 24-27, offers a number of fast food and sit-down restaurants, as well as lodging and other accomodations.