Main Loop

Pate Road Trails - Tree Hugger Trail -  Greenbrier - Cambodia Trail - The Chute, Wantz Way, The Gorge, Valley Way, Coke Can, Crist (Gulf Power) Falls, 4 Dogs, Bone, etc)

Trail Description
The Pate Road and Tree Hugger Trails are all on the west side of the power-lines (south of Pate Road) and have lots of bermed curves with some long straight trails for higher speeds.  One downside of this trail is it's tendency  to become sandy in places.  There are a few easy log obstacles , several dips, and some long but low grade climbs.  Treehugger leads into the Greenbrier Trail, which is a fairly new trail and it tight and curvy, but no sand.

The other west power line trail is what is known as the Cambodia Trail.  This trail also has some low grade climbs and decent and is relatively fast.  The hallmark of this trail is the dense vegetation in places which really makes for the optimal single track effect.  Typically, this trail does not have much sand at all, even after stretches of dry weather.  There are no major log obstacles to speak of, and no notable dips or drops.  Just consistent single track, some fairly rooty sections, and one narrow bridge.

Cambodia leads to Carl's Trail, which is tight, curvy, and little to no sand.

How to Get There
Go to 10 Mile Road (Just North of 9 Mile Road or  Hwy 90), east of Chemstrand Road, and find the service road that takes you to the Crist Power Plant -- Pate Road).  

Go  just past the homes on the right (the backyards of homes in the Country Ridge Subdivision).  There is a dirt road which runs beside Pate Road, take this road because it leads to parking area  just outside the trail head (if you are driving).   There is a fence and piles of dirt blocking a dirt road -- the  trail entrance is to the right of the fence which is the "Pate Road Trail".   

Some of the trails ride along the water's edge and take you within clear view of the power plant (Crist Falls).  Also, a large portion of the trail travels up, down, and through a deep, wide trench which was created about 100 years ago by loggers (Valley Way).  

One drawback of these trails are the way in which they cross-over themselves at several points, so if one is not familiar with the trail it's easy to get turned around.  Another drawback is the occasional sandy spots at some locations.  

Here's a great way to connect the trails into a nice loop that does not have you crossing over the same trail twice (click here).  This was also the course for the 2006 Fat Tire Challenge. 

SEE HELMETCAM VIDEO OF THESE TRAILS 

Clay Pits/Games Loop

Czechers, Hangman, Crossword, CalkWalk, Frogger, PiggyBack, Horseshuz, Twister 

Trail Description

The clay pit north of Pate Road provides lots technical drops, descents, etc.  There may be other stuff out there by rouge BMXers (PORC cannot build stunts).  

There is a trail loop circling the clay pits which is about 4 miles long.  The loop system is called the "Games Loop" and currently has the following trails: Czechers, Hangman, Crossword, CakeWalk, Frogger/PiggyBack, Horseshuz, and Twister.

The link to the Google map at the top of this page illustrates part of this loop.  

As for the clay pit, it is often used by motocross and 4wheelers (per the University, it is illegal for them to be out there, by the way - UWF request they be reported at 474-2000),  however, you may also encounter, paint-ballers,  hikers/joggers.  

How to Get There
You can enter off of Pate Road Trail Head but the entrance from Pate is gated (but one can get under the gate easily).  You can also enter the trail head at the end of Motley Ct., which is the main road into the Valley Ridge Subdivision (just west of Pate Road off of  Ten Mile Road).  The end of Motley is a dead end with some parking and the trail head is right there on the right.  This parking area is best for the clay pit only.

For the Games Loop, park at the Pate Road Trail Head go under the gate across the street.  Then take the 1st trail opening on the right about 50 yards from the gate.  The beginning of the trail loop is on the right after 2 short but steep climbs. 

Campus Trails (not well connected to the main loop - damaged since Ivan)

Now disconnected from main loop (bridge removed by University) and much of it ruined by the hurricanes.  Not really worth the ride but if you happen to be on campus, perhaps.

Technical Section- The "Trials"

Trail Description
This trail consisted of mostly ultra-tight single track with many tight corners and low bridges - - but has not really been the same since Ivan.  Easy to get lost now...beware if you are not familiar with this area.

How to Get There
Near the Running Track and Baseball Fields (check out the map below)... If you are facing the track from main road, the trail head is near the left side of the parking area. The technical trail starts near the NE corner of the track, or the SE corner. The NE has an "intro" that leads into the technical section.  PORC typically meets at this location around 8 AM on Sunday for fast paced group rides (if interested, please email us).

The Rock Trail / Church Bell Alley

Trail Description
These trails are known as the rock trails because there is a large block of iron-rock on the trail.  The rock trails are great because they traditionally have not had much sand.

The trail contains a few miles of single track matrix which is very confusing to those which may not be familiar with it.  There are also a couple of nice log obstacles, palettes crossing, and bridges to test your technical skills. 

Be watchful of hikers, joggers, and equestrian trail users.

How to Get There
Look for the Water Tower to your left and park underneath it.   This trail has little sand and goes all over the woods along a nice steep ridge.  The only negative thing I can say about this trail is it has no meaningful path - mostly spaghetti and a lot of dead-ends.

Click For Full Size View

 [ --------------- Map scale shows approximately 5 miles end to end --------------- ]
Yellow lines are power-line easements.
Actual trail not shown, just approximate location of a specific trail. 
Note the Trials and Rock Trail are not ridable since Ivan.  Not shown on this map is the Games Loop.

If you are interested in other bike trails near Pensacola or in the Southeast, click HERE.