Bent Creek Experimental Forest is the oldest federal experimental forest east of the Mississippi river. It encompasses nearly 6,000 acres within the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, North Carolina. It was established in 1925 for the purpose of conducting research on forest regeneration and erosion control, and also to provide a demonstration of forest management practices.

BENT CREEK MAP & DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAIL HEADS

THE NEW BENT CREEK MAP (PDF Download)

Suggested Ride Routes

USFS Trail Fundamentals

Easy

• Route: Easy to follow
• Steepness: entire Trail, less than 8% grade
• Length: Less than 3 miles
• Surface: Mostly flat; a few rocks and roots along trail

Moderate

• Route: May be blazed
• Steepness: Most of trail less than 20% grade
• Length: Usually between 2 and 8 miles.
• Surface: Rocky; stream crossings

Difficult

• Route: May require pathfinding skills
• Steepness: most of trail 20% grade or steeper
• Length: Usually more than 8 miles; may have steep sections
• Surface: Rocky, stream crossings