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Coldwater MTB Trails - Anniston, AL (~300 mi from Mobile)

Coldwater Mountain Bike Trails
Coldwater Rd     (Trailhead located here)
Anniston, AL  36201

GPS Coordinates: 33.6039692, -85.9130252


Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail offers everything a rider could wish for: Explore red-dirt trails in a backcountry setting, shuttle the gravity runs and style out the optional technical lines, or enjoy scenic, entry-level trails that will stoke a novice rider’s fire.

  • 35-40 miles of exciting singletrack!
  • Beginner to advanced riding
  • Gravel, boulders, smooth soil, fast downhills
  • 889' elevation
  • Beautiful scenery with continued trail additions

Trails:

Baby Bear may be the shortest and easiest loop at Coldwater but it's definitely not boring.   The trail rides clockwise and is relatively flat with some smaller rollers to begin - it's a good chance to get a feel for a mountain bike-optimized trail.

Bomb Dog is a very fast descent that is almost 4 miles in length. Before you get into the descent stop and have a visit with Floyd, Anniston/Calhoun County's first bomb sniffing police canine.  His headstone is just on the left of the trail.  From here get ready for one of the newest and best flow-style descents available anywhere. It's about two miles long and features plenty of rollers, camel and table-top jumps. This section of trail is very progressive and is super fun for riders of all abilities. Getting air is up to you!   After the big descent you'll keep the smile as you contour, climb and have another short descent.  

  • Cassidy

Be prepared for contouring and climbing for a few miles through the Alabama hardwood forest. You might be surprised that such beautiful places existed in the South if you've never been before. Near the top of the climb you'll notice some beautiful rock outcroppings that are scattered intermittently throughout the landscape.  The final portion of the trail takes you over some great rock features ending with a 40-50 rock path affectionately called rock slot.

Chilhowee is the longest and probably the most diverse trail in the network.  This trail can be ridden in either direction.  Both directions are equally fun and challenging.  Chilhowee wanders over several rollers and rock features with a  fun technical descent with a rocky section thrown in for good measure.  You'll find long techincal descents that takes you through a variety of rock features, sharp turns, and finally some flow.

You can't have three bears without Goldilocks... and she's pretty upset!  Goldilocks is a one way trail. She is a fast descent with several berms and plenty of opportunities for getting "air."  However, there's plenty of rocky terrain to test your mettle.

  • Gravity Trails

No pedaling required!!  Coldwater Mountain features a beginner and an intermediate gravity trail.  Each trail is approximately 1 mile long and is packed with moguls, table tops, and plenty of fast flowing berms.  The intermediate trail has ample opportunity to get airborne.

Mama Bear is the middle option of the stacked loop system at Cold Water Mountain. Ridden clockwise, the trail offers of plenty of swoops, berms and bends, making it a must-ride.  The first part of Mama Bear is a descent that will make you grin from ear to ear. It will also give you a feel for smooth, non-technical trails at speed.  The second part of the trail is a gradual climb that traverses low angle hillsides, winding its way back up and around connecting with Papa Bear and eventually Baby Bear.

  • McGazza

McGazza is a black diamond trail featuring plenty of "chunky" sections, drops, and moguls.  Full helmet and pads are highly recommended.  The trail is affectionately named after the late Kelly McGarry. 

This trail is a mix of traditional singletracks, fast flow trail with moguls galore.  There are a couple tricky sections so the first time around take it easy and learn the terrain.

As one of the Three Bear loops, Papa Bear is the furthest out from the Cold Spring trailhead and provides the most challenge. With some of the same twisty flow similar to Mama Bear, Papa Bear does it in a tighter corridor with more frequent swoops and turns. For added measure, there are several optional rock features that blend nicely with the trail.

  • Power Trip

This is a short connector trail.  You travel through a clearing where power lines run overhead and then disappear back into the woods.

  • Talladega

The trail is a short climb that includes a lookout along a ridgeline before a stepdown and the only switchback located on the Talladega trail.  The trail crosses Stebbins Road and is a fun technical rolling downhill which leads you to the "Rabbit Hole."

Tortoise is an approximately 3 mile climb from which you can travel back down the fast and flowing Hare trail.

  • Trillium

This is a short downhill section that connects the Rabbit Hole intersection to the Hare downhill trail. It features very smooth rollers and berm turns.

 

Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail