Foothills Watershed in Old Fort expanding bike trails, brewing beer
Foothills Watershed in Old Fort is working on the second phase of trail construction to expand the new bike park to 117 acres.
The new "Back 80" brings longer, more challenging terrain and adds significant acreage, mileage and vertical drop the western North Carolina mountain biking destination, according to a news release from the Foothills Watershed.
Foothills Watershed in Old Fort is expanding its bike trails.
Designed and built in partnership with Elevated Trail Design, nine new trails included in the expansion will add more downhills to the existing trail network. These new trails each offer a mix of raw, loamy sections and machine-built berms and jumps.
Phase Two takes riders deep and high into the mountains, with an engineered bike only climb trail that ascends to the high ridge just below Wildcat Knob, offering views of Hickory Nut Mountain in the south and north through Yancey County with views of Mount Mitchell, Greybeard and Bernard Mountain. As of August 2026, there are only a couple of trails left to complete construction of Watershed’s Bike Park, according to the news release.
E-bikes are allowed on all trails.
Bikers at Foothills Watershed in Old Fort.
As of this summer, the bike park has reached the top of the property and offers access to the high ridgeline, where two of the new trails offer a plunge off the slope into trails with vertical drops near 500 feet over three-quarters of a mile.
Beer, music, food, events, new day pass prices
In addition to the trail expansion, Foothills Watershed is now serving beer brewed on-site.
Lagers, IPAs and seasonal brews will be available. The food menu offers barbecue classics, including Texas-style brisket, eastern North Carolina-style pork, smoked chicken and sides. The barbecue is made with local meat from Foothills Watershed's Foothills Butcher Shop in Black Mountain, slow-smoked daily on our wood-fired smoker with oak, cherry and hickory that the bike park trail crew fells, cuts and splits on property, according to the news release.
Foothills Watershed’s events calendar includes community activities, film screenings, live music, line dancing and more, the release said.
Watershed has new day-pass prices. Last year’s $5 Frontcountry Pass is now free for all visitors. The pass gives access to the waterfront, a bike skills loop for beginner riders, a dirt jump and a kid’s pumptrack with grab-and-go strider bikes free of charge. The Backcountry Pass is needed when crossing the river to the mountain bike park trails. This pass gives access to all the park has to offer, and is $24 for adults, $16 for youth 12-16 and free for riders 11 and under. Discounted group rates and monthly and annual membership options are available, according to the news release.
A waiver is required for anyone swimming, wading or riding on the property.
Watershed Bike Park also rents e-mountain bikes, dirt jumpers, helmets, hammocks and coolers.
Foothills Watershed is holding a Cool 4 Back 2 School event Saturday, Aug. 22, and Sunday, Aug. 23, when kids 16 and younger riding with an adult get free bike park passes, according to the news release.
