Mountain Bike Trails
Trail Rules and Regulations
We are excited to announce that the first-ever mountain bike trail system in the Red River Gorge is open to the public.
It has been an exciting four years of planning and building, but thanks to our co-founders Jesse Amundsen and Tom Windham and our core group of dedicated volunteers, the dream is a reality.
We do ask all visitors to do a few things before enjoying our efforts:
- Sign a waiver.
- Be a good steward of the land and trail.
- Abide by the ALL of the Rules & Regulations.
- Respect the South Fork Airbnb Guests. They take precedence.
- Have a fun, safe ride.
All trail users must follow these instructions to keep these trails in top condition and open to the public. You will be trespassing if you violate any of these rules or fail to fill out a waiver.
• Waiver must be signed and on file to use the trails.
• Always refer to www.southforkrrg.com for trail conditions and closures.
• Only human-powered activities are permitted (bicycles and foot traffic).
• Only use trails during daylight hours and ONLY when they are open. See our Facebook page for trail status.
• Pack it in, pack it out! Find some trash? Please pick it up and pack it out.
• You MUST stay on the trails at ALL TIMES. Don’t cut corners or leave the trail.
• Park your vehicle in the designated parking area; hide valuables, and lock your doors. We are not liable for theft or loss. We are not liable for theft or loss.
• Do not climb on the rocks or cliffs.
• No hunting of any kind; that includes plants, mushrooms, rocks, artifacts, or other.
• No pets or groups larger than six people.
• Report any damage, downed trees, or abuse.
• In case of an emergency, dial 911.
• DO ENJOY yourself! Take pics, and share your adventures @southforkrrg.
Access to private land is a privilege and can be revoked to you (or all) if the rules are not being followed or the property is not being used and respected to the owner’s expectations.
Trail Description
The trail starts at the Parking Area for a short warmup before entering the “ENTRANCE CLIMB,” which begins the .8-mile, 350-foot climb up to “The Hub.” Once you reach “The Hub,” you have reached the trail system’s heart. From there, you can catch your breath or continue to ride the upper trails. This section flows well in both directions and can be looped, reversed, and ridden in several combinations to add as much mileage as your legs can bear before bombing back downhill to your car.
Trail Map
This is a map and a link to download a PDF of our trail system. You will also find a map of the trails at the parking lot and at THE HUB intersection. All trail users must stay on the single-track trail, as indicated by the yellow trails on the map. The only exception to this rule is an emergency requiring you to leave the trail.
We appreciate your respect for this and all of the rules. Trail users who violate this or any rules (or fail to sign a waiver) will be considered trespassers. Repeated violations of any rules will lead to trail closure, which will prevent respectful and appreciative trail users from enjoying this resource.
Trail Waiver
All trail users MUST fill out a waiver, regardless of whether they are guests of South Fork Farm or visiting recreational users. A parent or guardian must fill out a waiver for each minor in their group. One waiver per person, no exceptions. Anyone on the trail system without a waiver will be trespassing.
Where do I Park?
Guests staying at South Fork Farm have parking available at their rental cabins and do not need to pay to park on the property. THEY ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE ALLOWED TO DRIVE ON THE PROPERTY. For all other recreational trail users, the Voting Booth Parking Lot is THE ONLY eligible place to park.
Parking Lot Rules & Regulations:
• Overnight Parking is NOT PERMITTED.
• Don’t park along South Fork Rd or block traffic.
• No music, tailgating, or loitering; Park and Ride.
• Hide your valuables and lock your vehicle. We are not liable for lost or stolen items.
• No music, tailgating, or loitering. Park and Ride.
• If you pass a local, BE POLITE; smile and wave.
IMPORTANT: Please write your ORDER # code on a piece of paper and display it on your dashboard so it is visible. If you don’t have a pen and paper, we will have some available at the informational kiosk in the parking lot.
The Story of the Trail
This mountain bike trail build is the brainchild of Jesse Amundsen and landowner Tom Windham. The first meeting of these two came at a climbing crag in the Red River Gorge in the fall of 2021. Small talk between belay sessions revealed that the two had a mutual interest in mountain biking. Jesse started a non-profit, Red River Gorge Mountain Biking Alliance, to advocate for mountain biking in the Red River Gorge and surrounding areas.
Jump back to six to eight months before that meeting, and Tom was hosting a father-son adventure weekend on his South Fork Farm property. They did everything imaginable that weekend in the gorge, but the boys were hungry for more, and during the downtime, they would bike on the gravel roads and fire trails to burn time between adventures. Tom’s son Tyler suggested building mountain bike trails during the drive home that weekend. At first, Tom laughed it off, but after meeting Jesse, it was no joke. This was real.
The route was flagged, the corridor cleared, and on December 18th, we broke ground during our first of several volunteer trail days. It was only appropriate that Tyler and his friends were on the first crew.
What seemed like an impossible mission was completed in a record-breaking three-plus years. I can’t count how many times I have thought to myself, “How absurd the amount of time and effort has gone into this. It is truly a labor of love (or insanity).”
It was a herculean effort, and thanks to volunteers and Jesse’s and Tom’s combined 1500+ hours of back-breaking trail cutting, we over 4.5 miles of fresh-cut singletrack that loop into and figures eight. The trail starts at the Parking Area for a short warmup before entering the “Entrance Climb,” which begins the .8-mile, 350-foot climb up to “The Hub.” Once you reach “The Hub,” you have reached the trail system’s heart. From there, you can catch your breath or continue to ride the upper trails. This section flows well in both directions and can be looped, reversed, and ridden in several combinations to add as much mileage as your legs can bear before bombing back downhill to your car.
While the main sections of the trail offer plenty of berm turns and optional jumps for a thrilling ride, those seeking an adrenaline rush can venture onto the one-way DH1 downhill trail, reserved exclusively for expert riders.
Founders of the Trail System
Jesse Amundsen
(Trail Co-founder)
Badass climber, biker, and coder, his dedication to everything makes this and everything possible. You can set your watch to him. His dedication to the task is equal to his dedication to his friends, which was crucial in getting this project completed in record time.
Tom Windham
(Property Owner and Trail Co-founder)
Tom is equally obsessive about tasks at hand but a touch more “all-over-the-place” than Jesse. It’s a yin-yang relationship that somehow works. Jesse has the right brain, and Tom has the left. Jesse’s OCD meshes well with Tom’s ADD. The result? This trail system.
Thanks to our Volunteers!
Leading Contributors
These contributors were involved from the start of the project and have contributed significant time and effort to creating the trails.
- Nick Bose
- Zach Mergenthal
- Nathan Webster
- Richard Fulop
- Megan Mergenthal
- Allie Mattingly
- Rion Shupe
- Nathan Hawk
- Cedric Ballarati
- Kurt Hilfer
