Lake of the Ozarks Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in Lake of the Ozarks is great fun for both novice riders and experienced bikers. The scenery is fantastic and the trails are awesome. There are short routes and longer routes, all of which are marked on trail maps available from the local bike shops in Lake of the Ozarks. If you are traditionally a road cyclist, then make sure you give these trails a spin-you will not be disappointed.
Lake of the Ozarks State Park has three trails to offer cyclists. They are suitable for cyclists of different abilities and wind their way through oak-hickory forests, grasslands and bottomland hardwood. You can enjoy some stunning views of the lake, rock formations, and other unique aspects of the Ozarks landscape.
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Mountain Biking
at the Lake of the Ozarks -- Continue
Trail of the Four Winds is a single-track cross country loop with smaller loops connecting to it. Depending on how many extensions you ride, you can bike from 3.5 up to 16 miles. The most popular loop within the entire route is 11 miles with a climb at the end.
Cross Creek is a 7 mile trail which is very technical, therefore not suitable for novice riders unless they want a challenge. It has several sections containing some hard core stunts, so it is not a route to try alone, but is definitely one if you need a serious heart attack workout that leaves you dripping wet.
Horseshoe Bend is between 5 and 11 miles in length. This trail is a combination of the Cross Creek and Four Winds-it has a decent distance with some fun technical sections.
All trails in the Ozarks area are characterized by the Karst topography-which means the landscape is rocky. Trail conditions vary according to weather and time of year. Following rain, they are inclined to be muddy, but most of the time the trails are in good condition.
Horses and hikers use the same trails, so it is important to be aware of other users-always give way to horses. Night riding is a popular time to bike around the trails. Wear a head torch and ride with a mate for safety. Make sure you take plenty of water with you and in the summer, ticks are a major irritation, so anti-tick lotions are a must.
Mountain biking in the Ozarks is all about big hills and crazy descents. It is a fun, adrenaline fueled activity to try if you want to explore the local area.
