The best MTB trails around Conway

Whitehorse Ledge is a huge granite outcrop that offers a variety of climbing styles. The cliff overlooking the Saco River Valley is known for its excellent slab climbing. Hikers can access the cliff via the Bryce Path (Yellow) and White Horse Ledge Trail (Yellow) routes from Cathedral Ledge or as a loop from Echo Lake. https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105909079/whitehorse-ledge

Cranmore Mountain is a very popular spot year round. In winter, it is a ski resort and the rest of the year, it is full of hikers, runners and cyclist. There are great views from the peak of the other mountains and valleys in North Conway.

Cranmore Mountain in North Conway is a four-season recreational destination. While in the winter it is a popular skiing destination, it is a great spot for hiking from spring to autumn. At the top of the chairlift, you get a great overview over the area.

Whitehorse Ledge is one of the major rock climbing areas of New England and, together with Cathedral Ledge, looms over the town of North Conway, The cliff is more than 800 feet high and is divided into two sections : The Slabs area and The South Buttress area.

A nice little MTB park on the side of Cranmore Mountain. There's 5 or 6 'non-technical' swoopy, berm-rich trails winding there way dow the mountain, and 3 or 4 'technical' trails which head downhill through the woods, with roots and rocks. These trails are quite accessible for beginner riders and intermediate riders, although advanced downhill riders will find them limited. A regular dual suspension bike is fine for these trails - which you can rent at the bottom of the slopes. You have to buy a ticket online for full or half day for access to the lifts. Unless of course, you want to ride up the Service Road before the ride down.... :)

Tucked away behind the Cranmore Ski Resort, this climb is the service road to the top of the mountain (and chair lifts). This is also perhaps the most technical extended climb that you can do in the area. The road is made of loose dirt sand, stones, and rocks, as well as gradients which average at 8%, but hit extended sections of 23%. So not only will you need the correct gearing and strong legs, but also you'll need to pick the right line and dynamically distribute your weight over the bike well - too much at the front, your rear wheel will slip, too much at the back, and you want get maximum power. This will be straightforward on a low geared MTB, doable on a low-geared CX bike, and for road bikes with low gears and tubeless tyres, something to approach only when it is bone dry. When you make it to the top, you will be rewarded with lovely views over the valley, a chair lift photo-op, and the return decent, which still takes skill to get down smoothly. Once, as I descended, and passed by a hiker with my bum hanging over my rear wheel, and fingers covering the brakes, I heard them say "That looks terrifying". That sums up Cranmore!

The Marshall Conservation Area contains some typical fun New England singletrack, and some gravel roads to blast around. Not very technical, so CX bike is doable (I've done it), but stick to the fire roads with your tourer. There's a connection with Passaconaway Road, which gets you to the Kancamagus. Also, there's a bike fixing station just inside the gate at the end of the car park, with air, tools etc.

There's parking if you need... walk or bike around the 'gate', past the Water Tower. Red Tail Trail to your left, Kettle Trail to your right!