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Top Philadelphia Mountain Biking Spots

If you are up for the challenge of free-riding, down-hilling or dirt jumping or even want to try your hands at aerial stunts, the Philadelphia region has a trail waiting to be conquered by you. Do you have the endurance and self-reliance to take on a mountain bike course near you?
Belmont Plateau

If you like long, loopy rides then you are going to love Belmont Plateau in the heart of West Philadelphia. This trail is not for the faint of heart or beginners. What the trail lacks in length, it makes up for in a winding, skinny singletrack that can be completed in a few hours. The terrain is challenging because of its twists and turns and occasional down tree limbs. Close enough to the West Philly outskirts but far enough to avoid the risk of other bikers interrupting your ride.

Wissahickon Valley Park

Featuring a blend of hills, flats, singletrack and doubletrack, "The Wiss" will not disappoint. Whether first-timer or return rider, there is more than 50 miles of trail to conquer on your journey. Part of the City of Philadelphia's Department of Parks and Recreation, you can take it nice and easy or aggressively on its variety of courses.

Idlewood

Tucked away behind Neshaminy High School in Bucks County, mountain bikers will not be disappointed. Intended for intermediate riders but perfect for advanced to expert riders, there are plenty of downhill sections with rocks. Five-mile of singletrack with some technical rocky downhill and uphill challenges and fun boardwalk sections. Use the high school on your right as a point of reference and you won't have to worry about getting lost.

Related: Top Bike Shops In Philadelphia 

White Clay Creek State Park

With a few different singletracks for mountain bikers to ride, the trails are generally smooth, hard packed clay which allows fast flowing rides mostly at the intermediate skill level. Trails at Possum Hill and the Judge Morris Estate will entice mountain bikers of all ages Please note that mountain biking is prohibited during hunting season. When riding conditions are good nearby parking areas fill up soon. Free parking is available at Paper Mill Park just a few miles north of Paper Mill Road.

The Edge

This section of Pennypack Park is a perfect destination for riders. Offering a variety of terrain in a small tract of land, the park is surrounded in rich history and includes the old Newtown Road Bridge, Krewstown Railroad Bridge and the Veree House. Two-hundred year-old trees loom overhead while wide dirt trails and rolling terrain make for an exciting terra-firma for your mountain bike ride. Half the course runs on a relatively smooth multi-use dirt trail with occasional sections of exposed rocks. The other half covers tight, twisty sidetrack with surfaces ranging from deep sand along the creek bank to plates of pointed rock along the Mica-shist Cliff Trail.

Related: On Two Wheels: America's Best Bike Destination

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