Skill Level:

Intermediate There are a number of technical rock sections that can be cleared by riders of moderate experience level. Sections of the long West Power-Line Trail have some steep sections on the ascent over some rock gardens that are usually walked by most riders, but skilled riders can clear them in good conditions. There are no particularly dangerous sections other than four seasonal creek crossings that can be occasionally very slick. 

Route Info:

The most enjoyable way to ride all of the Wade Mountain Trails is to park at the Land Trust parking lot on Spragins Hollow Road and then start the trail at the trailhead off Blue Springs Road about a mile away. This leads to a long 1-mile climb to nearly the top of Wade Mountain. After the climb, the rest of the trail is a long figure-8 that is rolling or descends all the way until it intersects the Devil's Racetrack Trail approximately a half-mile from the Spragins Hollow Road Trailhead.

Though it is not generally well known, the western loop of the trail is reasonably easy to follow as it loops back onto itself. Finding and following this loop will reward the adventurous rider with approximately two hours of entertaining single-track. The Land Trust maps only show approximately one quarter of the rideable trails on Wade Mountain.

Trail riders have the option of riding the figure-8 loop first and either completing the ride, or following the Shovelton Trail to the Devil's Racetrack, and then descending from the Racetrack back to the Land Trust parking lot on Spragins Hollow Road.

Power Line/Figure-8 Loop:

• Start from the Land Trust Wade Mountain Preserve parking lot
• Ride right (west) from the parking lot on Spragins Hollow Road for a half-mile
• Just across from the house at the end of the road, bear left onto the dirt road
• Follow the dirt road a little more than a half-mile until it intersects a trail that runs north-south from the end of Blue Springs Road (left goes to Blue Springs Road)
• Take a very sharp right onto this trail and begin climbing the wide single-track.
• The trail passes through two rock gardens and climbs through a power-line cut before intersecting a trail junction in a half-mile.
• There are three options:
• Right (east) – The trail forks: Left fork goes to Land Trust Trails. Right fork goes straight down and returns to Spragins Hollow Road.
• Straight (north) – Continue climbing
• Left (west) – The less fun way around the mountain.
• Continue straight up the mountain.
• The trail climbs for another half-mile. It will cross one difficult rock garden and then flatten out into a dual-track trail.
• About a quarter-mile after the trail flattens out, it begins to curve left and follow the mountain's contour toward the west.
• The trail crosses two watershed creeks and begins to descend in about 1.2 miles. Note: If you arrive at a large power-line cut, you have gone a bit too far. Backtrack a few yards and descend to the power line maintenance jeep road.
• Descend to the old jeep road. (Fun descent! Try the shortcut.) You should have a nice view of northern Madison County when you reach the jeep trail.
• Follow the jeep road trail to the left for about 2.25 miles
• The trail crosses two creek beds (one wet) and another power-line cut.
• After 2.25 miles the trail intersects the trail junction crossed on the climb from Blue Springs trailhead.
• Right descends back across the power cut to the Blue Springs Trailhead.
• Straight leads to a fork in about 200 feet
• Continue straight, and then bear immediately left at the fork in the trail. The Land Trust has named this the Rock Wall Trail. (Right returns directly (straight down) to Spragins Hollow Road)
• Finishing Options (With or without Devil's Racetrack)
• The trail crosses two creeks and an old rock wall before rejoining the Land Trust trails in about 1.5 miles. There are three notable, short, rocky, descent chutes along the way. The landmark at the Land Trust junction is a wooden bench.
• Options at the wooden bench are:
• Left – Rocky, technical ascent to Devil's Racetrack
• Right – Return half-mile to parking lot
• Optional route to Devil's Racetrack:
• After the second descent and the first creek, but before the rock wall crossing, the Shovelton Trail splits off to the left. (You are now on Land Trust Wade Mountain Preserve Land.)
• Follow this trail left for about a half-mile to the Devil's Racetrack. It is a less technical trail to the Devil's Racetrack that does not require any further climbing.
• From the Devil's Racetrack, follow the Land Trust Trail down the rocky descent to the benches. The Rock Wall Trail enters from the right.
• Continue left and return to the parking in a half-mile.

 

Afterward:

Clem's BBQ and Fishery on Blue Springs Road – Do not let the look of the place deceive you. The best catfish in north Alabama. 

For more info:

None

Contact any of the following for additional information:

Aaron’s Alabama Mountain Biking

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.lightinside.com

Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Ardmore Welcome Center

Street Address:
28232 Upper Elkton Road
Elkmont, AL 35620
Phone#:(256) 423 - 3891

Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Ardmore Welcome Center

Street Address:
28232 Upper Elkton Road
Elkmont, AL 35620
Phone#:(256) 423 - 3891

Bicycle Works Inc.

Street Address:
5000 Whitesburg Drive S #140
Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone#:(256) 650 - 6282

Bicycles, Etc.

Street Address:
8100 Memorial Parkway SW #A
Huntsville, AL 35802
Phone#:(256) 881 - 6947

Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Street Address:
500 Church Street, Suite One
Huntsville, AL 35801
www.huntsville.org

Madison Cycles

Street Address:
8760 Madison Boulevard, Suite J
Madison, AL 35758
Phone#:(256) 461 - 9963

Maps of Huntsville Area and Land Trust Trails

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.briartech.com/msmap.htm

Southern Off-Road Biking Association

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.sorbahuntsville.org

Spring City Cycling Club

Street Address:
N/A
Wetumpka, AL N/A
www.springcity.org

The Land Trust of Huntsville and North Alabama

Street Address:
907 Franklin St.
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone#:(256) 534 - 5263
www.landtrust-hsv.org

Trailhead Inc.

Street Address:
604 Andrew Jackson Way
Huntsville, AL 35801
Phone#:(256) 534 - 1333