Nebraska is situated on the Great Plains and it is pretty much considered flat in a geographical sense. Bikers should not fret however. There are still tons of enjoyable places to go riding. There are some hills in the eastern part of the state. Panorama Point is the highest point in Nebraska with an elevation of 5,424 feet. Below are some of the trails that the state of Nebraska has to offer.
The Pine Ridge Trials are close to Chadron have about 50 miles of state park trails that are well marked and in good order. There are trails here for any skill level. Intermediate to advanced riders can find some rocky, technical trials to test skills. You may even find come across a steep climb or two! There are camping spots near so you can spend more time seeing the area. There is much wildlife around there as well.
The Wilderness Trail near Lincoln offers 18 miles of trails for bike riding. The trails are not very challenging, however you ride on them all day for a super workout. Look out for hikers, equestrians, and even wildlife when riding.
Swanson Park close to Bellevue is a 6-mile loop. It is advisable to go the same way as the other bikers or you may be run off the trail. This ride is very popular so the track gets busy with many hikers, equestrians, and other cyclists. Nonetheless, the track is properly maintained and offers many uphill and downhill sections and even some tree roots for technical challenges.
Platte River State Park is near South Bend and has 12 miles of steep and technical sidetrack. There are numerous switchbacks and exposed drops and the downhill regions can be especially brutal. Ask the park ranger before you take a ride because some hours are reserved for horseback riding only. You will also require a park permit to ride. Many people are surprised that such steep hills are in Nebraska, but really, there are!
Indian Cave State Park near Auburn is a great place for proficient riders. The steep 26-mile trail poses some technical challenges along with some very tight switchbacks. The area is not very crowded because the trails are hard. If you are not very fit, you can walk your bike so make sure you take along some bug spray to keep the bugs away! The trails tend to be slippery because they are made of sandy dirt and so it is best not to ride just after it has rained. After enjoying a fun day of jumps, climbs, and hear racing descents, you can rest and relax at the superb campground there.
Potters Field near Brady, Nebraska has many trails to choose from, but all are designed for the experienced rider. The uphill sections will surprise visitors because they are some of the steepest in the entire state, but the descents are worth the climb! There are over 30 miles of trails so bring a buddy just in case.
Usually there can be a lot of rainfall in Nebraska during the spring and this makes the muddy trails quite dangerous. As well riding on muddy trails leaves deep ruts that other riders do not like. The time to ride is during the summer and early fall. When riding in out of the way places, always watch out for wildlife and stay safe!
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