Your source for Mountain Biking in the Triangle Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill	Our sponsors support this site, the mountain bike community at large, and you. Please support them.
Home General Trails Events Forums Passion Other Cycling

Trail Name

Current Trail Status

	Status	When Updated	Who Updated	More Info		Help keep this info accurate by clicking the red bicycle
	open	02/22 12:16 pm	David H

Average ratings submitted by users                     Write a review   User submitted reviews

Category	Average Rating
Overall :	3.8 / 5.0   based on 8 votes
Technical :	3.2 / 5.0   based on 8 votes
Climbing :	1.5 / 5.0   based on 8 votes
Freeride :	1.2 / 5.0   based on 8 votes
Scenery/Wildlife :	3.0 / 5.0   based on 8 votes
Flow :	3.5 / 5.0   based on 8 votes

Description
Location: Just off 15-501 half way between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, west of Raleigh about 15 miles
Miles: 5-6
Skill Level: Intermediate (some advanced)

Map
Directions
Park Hours and Fees
Rules of the Trail

The Briar Chapel trails are still under construction but there is a decent loop at this time. The trails are mostly novice skill level without much climbing, but there are multiple sections of intermediate skill level and several rock gardens which will be difficult for just about anyone if the toughest line is chosen.

We need more photos of Briar Chapel. If you have a picture you'd like to let us use, please contact trianglemtb@yahoo.com!

Directions
If coming from the south, from the intersection of hwy 15-501 and hwy 64 just north of Pittsboro, take 15-501 north for about 6 miles. Briar Chapel Parkway is the first left past Jack Bennett Rd and is only about 0.2-0.3 miles past Jack Bennett. Take Briar Chapel Parkway as directed below:

If coming from the north, take hwy 15-501 south about 5.8 miles from the intersection of hwy 15-501 and hwy 54 to Briar Chapel Parkway which will be on the right. Take Briar Chapel Parkway as directed below:

If coming from the east, you have to get around Jordan Lake. Use the mapping source of your choice to find a route which best leads to the intersection of hwy 15-501 and Jack Bennett Rd and pick up Briar Chapel Parkway and then follow it as directed below:

Follow Briar Chapel Parkway about 1.7 miles to a traffic circle. On the opposite side of the circle on the right is the clubhouse and pool and there is plenty of parking here. Ride down Norwood Drive about 1000 feet and the trail will cross. The trail rides well in either direction.

Hours and Fees
Free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Rules of the Trail

1. Do not modify the trail. All work must be sanctioned by the land managers.
2. All riders must wear a helmet.
3. Keep your bike under control.
4. Do not disturb or alarm wildlife.
5. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
6. Leave no trace (don't litter).

This trail is open for night riding at any time.

Rules, guidelines, and definitions for our TriangleMTB.com trail reviews

• The trail reviews should be reviews based on first hand knowledge. If you have never ridden the trail, then ride it before reviewing it.
• Obviously, the ratings and reviews should be just that, not big discussions, stuff for sale, or chit chat.
• Ratings should be made relative to the other trails in the greater triangle area of North Carolina (listed on our review page). For example, the "Technical" difficulty rating should be relative to the most technical trail listed on our review page.
• There should be no references to other reviews in your review (eg. you should not argue or state disagreement with other reviews).
• No profanity or vulgar words or context.
• Keep in mind, these reviews are opinions only. One mans pleasure is another mans pain. Take the reviews with a grain of salt.
• Please report inappropriate reviews using the link that appears beneath the rating summary of each review.

You must be logged into our forum to submit a trail review.

Briar Chapel trail has been reviewed 8 times by our trianglemtb.com guests.

Reviewed by: advcyclist Reviewed on: 01/31/2012 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.
Reviewed by: dman1123 Reviewed on: 01/01/2012 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Fun in either the CCW or CW direction. There are a few good technical rock gardens that will probably challenge you even if you are an advanced rider. Some areas are slow and don't flow too well but there are also some places where you can really put the hammer down and get some good speed. Nothing much in the way of jumps but there are a few places you can get your wheels off the ground if you want to.
Reviewed by: rokbottom47 Reviewed on: 11/27/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Rode it Friday and got lost so studied the map and went out again Sunday. Started at Catullo parking lot, rode CCW then CW. Six mile loop. About 80% of it is beginner-grade trail, probably perfect for the neighborhood it was designed for. 20% is more technical, with the mile or so closest to Catullo being rock gardens with painful penalities for screwing up. I think once you become familiar with the rocky areas and choose the right track, they should be good for intermediate riders also. Most of it flowed well in both directions. Not much in elevation changes, so need to ride in both directions to get a good workout. Scenery pretty good, given the development and construction going on. Could use some better trail markers, but once you figure it out, it's not complicated. Overall a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon if you are not an adrenalin-junkie.
Reviewed by: ChrisW Reviewed on: 10/21/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	Lots of potential. At this review, 6 miles of trail. Obviously trail corridor is tight as not all lots in the neighborhood have been developed. That said, trail intersections with roads may be confusing to some riders. Signs have been erected to note trail entrances within the last year. Very flowy in some sections, very rocky in others. Occasionally trail obstacles or the route have been placed to intentionally slow riders. Trail feels very sidehill-y as far as construction. No steep climbs or descents. No switchbacks. Climbs are very gradual. Rocky sections are technical and are difficult when trying to maintain speed. Currently not worth a 30+ minute drive to get there, but at the 8 mile loop mark they will be worth the drive. A typical intermediate rider can knock the 6 mile loop out in 45 minutes going CCW and hitting all technical features.
Reviewed by: lumbee1 Reviewed on: 09/13/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	This was my first time at Briar Chapel. I rode the trail counter clockwise and then clockwise. With the elevation changes in the Pittsboro area, I expected so much more from the trail. There were never any difficult climbs and the downhills were quite mellow. With the amount of land available, the length of the trail was also a bit of a disappointment. The numerous rocks inhibited the flow in some sections. The disconnects crossing double track or roads were confusing. A local rider advised me to go right then left on the roads. Otherwise I would have been searching for a bit to find the trail again. I would certainly recommend it to others but won't make a extra effort to travel to Briar Chapel myself.
Reviewed by: vulcangreen Reviewed on: 08/04/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	I had a little difficulty finding the trail head but ran into some mountain bikers that got me pointed in the right direction. Yesterday I rode this trail for the first time. I rode the 4 mile loop in both directions. It is little confusing as it crosses neighborhood roads and intersects walking trails. There were a few times that I had to backtrack a few hundred feet to find the single track again. Don't get me wrong, I have no complaints about this trail. It has challenging rock gardens and sweeping fast sections of trail. It is middle of the road as far as being technical and there is little climbing which I did not mind at all. Overall just a great little trail system that I would recommend to anyone close to Chapel Hill. I don't know if I would recommend driving more than about 30 minutes to get there just yet as it is a pretty short trail system.
Reviewed by: bagel Reviewed on: 07/25/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	This trail is obviously still under construction. The technical areas are spread out, so I can't give it a higher technical rating. The trail flows through construction areas and there are a few places where it is not initially clear which way the the trail goes. That being said, it flows surprisingly well and the few technical areas are well thought out. It is definitely worth checking out. I prefer to park at Catullo Run. This trail will only get better the more it is developed.
Reviewed by: RickyE Reviewed on: 06/06/2011 Overall: Technical: Climbing: Freeride: Scenery/Wildlife: Flow: Report inappropriate review	No detailed review given.