Put simply, Preddy Creek Park is home to some of the best mountain biking near Charlottesville. Just 30 minutes from downtown, the park contains a dense network of trails. Once the native homeland of the Monacan and Manahoac peoples, the green forests around Preddy Creek have long attracted human visitors. Today, the park encompasses 571 acres of gently rolling hills, all laced with a series of multi-use trails open to hikers, trail runners, equestrians, and, of course, mountain bikers. The layout means it’s contained enough for lunch-hour loops, but still has enough terrain to fill a whole weekend. Plus, there’s a little something for everyone: Newer riders can find miles of wide, flowy singletrack, while steep climbs and obstacles elsewhere will keep even experts entertained. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]Ready to give it a try? Here’s how to make the most of your next visit.
Recommended Trails
Preddy Creek Park’s tightly packed trail network makes it easy to mix and match routes for endless variety. Here are a few of the best loops that are well worth the effort.
Preddy Creek Trail Loop
Ideal for beginner to intermediate riders, this smoothly graded trail encompasses nearly the entire southern half of the park. It tackles about 300 feet of vertical gain over its 3.2 miles and sports a few features—like small rollers and quick turns—that keep things interesting.
Rooster Run Loop
One of Preddy’s newest trails, the Rooster Run loop is split into two parts: On the west side, you’ll find zigzag turns and quick climbs, while the eastern section boasts a long, flowy downhill. The whole loop is 2.3 miles and is great for intermediate riders.
Advanced Mountain Bike Loop
You can thank the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club for this addition to the park. The entire loop is 1.9 miles and riddled with fun obstacles, quad-burning ascents, log crossings, and tight trees. As the name suggests, this one’s reserved for experienced riders.
