Trail Status
Chewacla trails are currently OPEN.
Ride safe, always wear your helmet and have fun!
Chewacla trails are currently OPEN.
Ride safe, always wear your helmet and have fun!
Chewacla State Park is the site of CAMP-SORBA’s main trail system. With over 25 miles of single track, Chewacla offers a place to ride for beginners and advanced riders alike.
Chewacla State Park charges entrance fees as follows:
Download a printable version of the trail map (map by Christopher P. Graff)
powered by Trailforks.comA relatively flat loop around the campground with wide and easy turns, almost no roots or rock, and minimal elevation change. It is the perfect trail for someone new to mountain biking, visitors to the park that bring their bike along for casual rides. Experienced riders can use it as a warm up. Short track mountain bike races are occasionally held on this trail.
This trail gives riders access to the following longer, intermediate single track trails: Falls View, Creek View, CCC, and For Pete’s Sake. It begins by following Ranger Dell’s Trail in a clockwise direction by slowly winding down into the bottom and across a couple of small rock challenges as you reach the bottom of the glen near the paddle boat rental area and diving boards in the lake as you make your way toward the cabins. At the intersection, the connector turns left for a beautiful view of the entire lake as you ride along the lakeside, over a small bridge, and between the cabins and the lake as you begin your short but scenic journey to the longer trails. As you begin to turn to the right away from the lakeside, you will have the option to go left in a clockwise direction onto the Falls View Trail or continue straight ahead to begin a counter clockwise direction on the CCC Trail just after crossing the paved road.
Path flows through the glen behind the ranger station and traverses a small feeder creek for the lake. Introduces riders to undulating terrain and allows practicing of handling skill. Flat curves on one side of the cool forest valley are mirrored by banked turns and switchback climbs on the other. The trail begins and ends between the beach pavilion and the fence along the parking loop. It represents other longer trails in the park. If you can master this trail, you’re ready for the longer and slightly more technical trails in the park.
(The following descriptions follow the trails clockwise. They can be ridden in both directions and whatever order the rider desires.)
This trail follows the edge of the lake and turns near the dam and waterfalls. The path serpentines up the bluff with runs paralleling the lake and ends high on the bluffs above the creek. The trail is peppered with technical roots and rocks and other obstacles to overcome. Quick turns with narrow sections accent this trail, which features fun dips, an optional short vertical climb, and a log jump.
The trail is a short stretch of steep lines braided through a boulder garden off of Falls View Trail. Look for the entrance to the left just after crossing a log-over on Falls View Trail. This enters into a braided collection of lines going down the rock faces and boulders below. Many possible lines are available. After your time in the Gym,
exit stage right up a nice little technical climb back to Falls view. Lines range from steep but roll-able to 3-4′ vertical drops interspersed in, with one wood feature near the bottom for an alternate exit to a few lines. Scout out your line and send it!
Entrance includes a ramp that leads to a path which travels over a banked boardwalk around Volkswagen Rock and follows the old vertigo inducing CCC-created trail along the creek. Beautiful vistas of the creek can be seen along with lichen-covered rock walls, to frame the scene and set the mood of serenity. The path changes character as riders snake up the bluff and whip around wide-banked curves while climbing. At the top of the bluff, it changes again as bicyclists reach the rock outcroppings balanced along the steep sides dropping to the creek. Technical skills are tested through rock gardens and between huge boulders. The Creek View Trail changes once again as riders swoop down the bluff in back-and-forth ribbons that parallel the deep gulley that you will cross using the 28’ long X 4’ wide diagonal bridge that leads to the CCC Trail.
Action starts at the entrance of this trail if you choose the short ADV (advanced) option to the right just after crossing the bridge and leaving the Creek View Trail, with quick turns, short-steep dips, and climbs. Or, you can choose the “shortcut” CCC connector to the left to bypass the short, advanced option and get right on the CCC trail. After a rippling downhill, the trail turns up and twists through the woods west and north of the old CCC camp, now used as the group campground. Glimpse the open expanses of the group campground while passing foundations, chimneys, and refuse deposits left over from previous use by Civilian Conservation Corps. The trail drops to another old CCC trail bordering Town Creek. Listen for the water splashing granite shelves and see tumbled boulders and fallen trees in the creek. At the Hank-Graham Bridge decide if time is available to explore the more flowing and rustic For Pete’s Sake Trail on the other side of the Town Creek. On the CCC Trail, riders will need to overcome a schizophrenic, winding climb and go past the old water tower and group campground shelters. After passing the residential properties along the park’s north border, finish with quick turns, short, steep dips, and short climbs that lead you back to the Lakeside Connector Trail.
Not a trail per se but worthy of note. The bridge is 92’ long, 8’ wide, and 10’ higher than the normal creek level. It is built to be 3’ higher than the water level achieved during a hundred-year flood. Created by a number of volunteers with the majority of muscle and brain power supplied by Hank Albritton, Graham Yuill, Austin Yuill, and Darrel Hankerson – none of whom are structural engineers or had ever built a bridge. The only motored machine used was John Deere Gator 4WD ATV. The first set of poles was dragged down to the creek using only manual labor, Austin’s lifting device, and ropes. Everything else was done with brute force and tools built by Austin or supplied by or purchased by Graham and Hank. Telephone poles were donated by Alabama Power and lumber by Spencer Lumber.
Get a running start on the bridge to begin climbing the bluff with momentum. The trail has off-camber sections, rock gardens, dips, and short climbs, and runs along former terraced farm land as it flows through stands of pines and hardwoods. This trail has it all: fun runs, slightly technical climbs, narrow bridges, loose rocks, steep slopes that will test ability to stay on the trail. The trail is a 3 mile trail with a number of additional options that add up to an additional 5 miles of trail for a total of 8 miles. To follow the 3 mile loop, follow the yellow (3) arrows on the trees. The main loop is marked as green, each of the alternates except Mama’s Milkshake and Project X are not significantly more difficult than the main loop. To add in the additional mileage, follow the 8 signs at each intersection. The alternates are in this order if following Pete’s clockwise, and each alternate dumps back into the main 3 mile loop:
The first alternate off of the For Pete’s Sake 3 mile loop. This fast flowy alternate winds through pines. Off to the left at the end of the ridge, look for Project X. If you chose not to take Project X, continue on Flo-Rida back to the original Pete’s loop.
A hand built trail off of the far back corner of the For Pete’s Sake Trail. It starts off with a steep downhill punctuated by small rock drops and jumps, and is punctuated by a fast downhill followed by an immediate uphill, carry some speed here. After a small climb up, riders will come to the first of two rocky crossings across a small stream. This starts the steep technical climb back out to For Pete’s Sake. Bring your legs, this one is a burner!
The second alternate off of the For Pete’s Sake 3 Mile loop. This section adds some short rock gardens and swooping turns before meeting back up with the FPS 3 Mile loop.
The third alternate off of For Pete’s Sake loop, adding some good ole roots and rocks. This trail also had a large pine skinny with an skewed entrance that is a great challenge of skills but can be super slick when wet.
The longest of the alternates off of For Pete’s Sake, Groundhog day winds through the trees enough to make one wonder, have I seen this turn before? Don’t fear, shortly thereafter, you’ll dump back out on to FPS, and be back on your way. This section has a few fast corners and roots, and enough mileage to be worth the add to your ride.
This trail is the fifth and final alternate off of For Pete’s Sake. The milkshake drops off of the top of the plateau towards the creek with a few jumps and berms before dropping off of a sizeable rock drop. Stay high right to avoid the drop. Otherwise, just send it! after the drop, look for the trail to climb steeply up the hill immediately to your right. After topping out the climb, riders are rewarded with a fun swoopy descent down a deep gulley before climbing back to join the FPS trail to finish your loop.
This trail is often used as a gateway to the upper trail system, and includes several intermediate features, including the Roller Bridge and the Hero Wall. Kick Six leaves off of the CAMP Trail just to the right of the Dirt Jumps. You can also take the right line of table top jumps and keep going onto Kick Six. The trail quickly heads downhill through a sharp bermed left turn, then across John’s Creek. After some rolling ups and downs, you’ll come to the Roller Bridge. Just past the Roller Bridge, you can chose left to continue onto Kick Six, or right onto the Kick Six shortcut. By staying left, you’ll cruise some flat fast single track before encountering the Hero Wall. After the wall, the trail turns downhill to the creek with several rock and dirt features before following the creek downstream to the Stone Bridge.
This trail follows and crosses a small creek with multiple skinnies including a large downed tree and several elevated bridges. Enter Skinny Alley from the Kick Six trail near the roller bridge. While this trail can be ridden both directions, the features are easiest starting from the Kick Six side. The trail comes out onto the park road near the stone bridge and the end of Kick Six.
This is a moderately easy trail that follows Moore’s Mill Creek upstream from the lower pavilion. This is often used as a connector trail as it is the quickest connector between the lower and upper trail systems. Leaving from the lower Pavilion, this trail swoops quickly downhill to a small wooden bridge. After the bridge the trail crosses a small rock garden before ending at the stone bridge. This is a good spot to let your four legged friends enjoy the cool creek water before heading to the upper trails.
Also available is the historic NORBA National Trail, where mountain biking legends like Ned Overender and John Tomac raced in 1988. This race was the very first NORBA National race east of the Mississippi River, making the NORBA National Trail an important piece of south eastern mountain biking history. This section offers users two different experiences. In the up direction, this is the longest sustained climb in the park and offers a good return from Pipe Dream, Draw Dropper, and Deer Rub trails. In the downhill direction the narrow tread width and tight trees offer a fast and fun downhill experience.
Rock Bottom is a trail with a number of different personalities. This trail is recommended to ride in both directions and presents its own challenges either way. Locals refer to each of the traverses by number, starting with 1 closest to the lake and ending with 4 furthest away.
LINE 1 is nearest the lake contains the most rock features, giving the trail its name, “Rock Bottom”. This line is the most difficult of all 4.
LINE 2 is connected to line 1 by a Gravity Zone on the Falls End of the trail. Several rock alternates can be found in this section as well.
LINE 3 is also known as “To the Top” as it is the shortest easiest way from the Stone Bridge to the top. In the other direction this is a very smooth fast ride to the bottom.
LINE 4 parallels the road and is marked by a rocky downhill half way through near the middle pavilion. Continuing down from the Pavilion is the Twin Pines Dual Slalom, connecting back to Line 1. From the pavilion down is also commonly used as a return from the end of the Tiger Woods Trail to the Stone Bridge.
This 0.15 mile race course is built in to Line 4 of rock bottom. The course consists of 6 bermed turns and two primary rhythm straightaways. The end of the course is a few bigger features that turn in to jumps at high speeds. This is the smoothest piece of trail in the entire park and is an excellent tool for both beginner and expert to hone their skills or challenge their buddies. This thing is addictively fun and we bet you can’t ride it just once.
This trail was originally built as a hiking trail but serves as a fairly easy way to the top. After the initial climb from the bottom, you’ll come to a T, the Right takes you to the top of the park, the left takes you to the middle pavilion.
High Gravity begins at the top of Chewacla, just past the look out. A brief rolling section leads to the Quarry Overlook, the highest point in the park. From here the fun begins! Look for numerous optional dirt, wood, and rock features along the course of this trail. While the main trail is of a beginner to intermediate difficulty, choosing to ride the options ups the difficulty significantly. The trail has three downhill segments, each with their own unique flair, separated by short easy climbs. We recommend taking this trail in a downhill direction to fully enjoy what the trail has to offer.
Tiger Woods begins and ends at the NORBA Double Track, just across the street from an upper pavilion. This trail makes its way down hill further to the creek. Once you have reached the creek Tiger Woods meanders its way back up to a highpoint, where you begin a nice decent towards the termination of the trail. This trail features a number of challenges including berms, drops, rock options, doubles, and table tops. This 1.3 mile trail has a lot of fun packed into a short distance!
This trail starts off at high speeds after leaving tiger woods. This is an expert level trail with blinds corners and drops so ride slowly or walk your first time through. A long wooden feature in the middle has a fun but steep waterfall feature to keep you on your toes.
This trail is a downhill only trail that connects from the Quarry Overlook and makes its way all the way down to the Quarry Outlet Pipe along Chewacla Creek. After leaving the overlook look for a small mandatory gap and some rocky sections. After a sharp left hand switchback, look out for the “Leap of Faith”, a 3′ boulder drop that is best routed right off the center. The trail continues with more rocks, gaps and jumps down to the very bottom of the park at the quarry outlet pipe. Pick your line well and it flows smooth as silk. Take Deer Rub Trail back to your left to NORBA to climb back up and hit it again
If you’re a first timer on this trail it’s worth scouting the Leap of Faith to ensure a good line.
This trail utilizes a beautiful draw to create a unique downhill trail punctuated by narrow bridges and wall ride style banked turns. The run starts off of High Gravity trail just after the Stegosaurus and ends at the bottom of the NORBA trail climb. The first feature is a cool rock garden with a 2′ mandatory drop. If the drop and the first few turns intimidate you, it’s easier to walk back up than to continue walking down hill, as the turns get steeper further down.
This is a multi-use trail at Chewacla that drops off the top of the mountain from behind the upper pavilion. While this is a popular hiking trail, it offers mountain bikers a uniquely challenging steep downhill culminated in a mandatory 4′ drop off of a buried log. Keep your speed in check and look out for other trail users as this is a popular hiking trail. The lower part of deer rub is also used as a return for Pipe Dream.
This trail is too steep to ride up from the bottom so it is best used as a DH only trail for bikes. Hikers use this trail in both directions.
This trail features a large number of man-made free-ride features, including dirt and wood jumps, a qualifier skinny, step downs, hips, transitions, and other features. This trail starts on the Tiger Woods trail near the top of the berms, and continues downhill, crossing the access road via multiple paths, including a 33 foot road gap and a step down bridge. It is highly recommended that you scout the whole line first before you drop in, as there are numerous large features here. Pre-ride, re-ride, and free-ride!
