Find the top rated mountain biking trails in Nebraska, whether you're looking for an easy short mountain biking trail or a long mountain biking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a mountain biking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_138287_st.jpg)
This is a great trail out in the countryside. The surface is the perfect size crushed limestone. Starting at Valparaiso, it's a steady climb to the other end at Brainard. The first half of the trail has some horse ruts, and the second half of the trail has some animal holes, but neither is that bad. There are several gravel road crossings on this trail, so be careful to monitor for cross traffic. The first half is more protected with trees along the trail, and the second half is more open prairie. There is a bar at each end that you can get food and drinks. Overall, this is a great trail, and it's in great shape.
Trail from Norfolk to the west was well maintained. I stayed in Neligh to ride both east and west. The bridge 6 miles west of Neligh looks to be permanently gone. Much of the trail parallels the main roads, but a small portion doesn't. The experience away from the main roads was great.
Great walk...for being in an urban setting be prepared to see lots of wildlife. Many places to get on the trail and walk or ride a bike. Not many facilities from archway to Fort Kearney but great easy walk. Cranes are available for viewing during migration in spring. You will like the experience.
Last spring they put new gravel down on the trail. They used the wrong size and put it WAY to deep. The gravel is too big even for a gravel bike. If you rode it on a fat bike you could maybe enjoy it. I lost count of how many times my wheels fishtailed out from under me on our latest ride. We were lucky no one in our group crashed. We won;t be on that trail again until it is fixed. Luckily we have the Wabash.
I have cycled from one end of the trail to the other many times, Beatrice to Marysville and it is just the best trail! There are bathrooms, water and shelters at Holmesville, Blue Springs and Barnston and mileage markers every 1/2 mile. The Chief Standing Bear Trail turns into the Blue River Trail at the NE state line and continues into Marysville.
The Pheasant Ridge Trail is a short 3 mile trail lining the north shore of Harlan County Reservoir in Harlan NE. I had the opportunity to ride it while passing through on the way from our Iowa home to visit family in Arizona. It provided a nice break along the way.
The surface is mostly concrete and it was smooth and relatively fast. It's a little hilly, but the hills are easily manageable and offer some nice vistas of the lake.
If you're coming from out of town, the best place to park is in the city park on the east side of US Highway 183 just to the north of the causeway over the reservoir. Parking is free and the trail starts just steps from the lot.
If you want to go a little longer, you might be able to cruise through the campground at the east end of the trail. There's a guard house there but it was closed for the season when I rode here last week so I was able to easily get in. On the way back, I detoured through town. Round trip was a little under 8 miles.
I wouldn't make a special trip here, but if you find yourself in the area, the Pheasant Ridge Trail is a nice resource and pleasant way to spend a little time exploring this beautiful, rural part of America.
We walked path today. Beautiful day for a walk. His path is not “one mile” as advertised. That’s a little misleading. Loved all the benches for resting if necessary. We will be back! ¿¿
I love the empty beauty of the Sandhills and you feel you're out in the middle of nowhere riding east from Valentine, on a stretch where the trail veers away from the road.
I rode my hybrid 16 miles out and then back (to the big cell tower where the trail rejoins the road). There's been some ATV travel on the trail, but generally the surface was good. I met a cyclist or two close to Valentine, but that was it.
On warm days, take plenty of water - there's little shade to be had.
This trail is a gem. It crosses the Platte River twice on beautiful bridges. There are shelters with seating along the trail. We even saw a couple of deer running beside us. The trail leaves from the Ft. Kearney Campground and the campground hosts lend campers bicycles for free.
As others have said, this nice trail needs some care. A fallen tree partially blocked one spot and branches lay everywhere. Also, the signs say "closed during firearms hunting season" but don't say when that might be, just a number to call.
Overall though, it's a good trail, not too rough and very peaceful and scenic.
I started in Beatrice and rode 10 miles south. The trail surface is packed well and well maintained. The first 2-3 miles were a nice mix of sun and shade, turning into mostly sun up to mile 10. There are a few road crossings, but most were unpaved country lanes, none were busy, and all had good visibility. There was a bench at about 2.75 miles, and a covered area with. Few tables and benches, restrooms, and a water fountain around 6.75 miles. While the scenery is nothing spectacular, it is nice and it's peaceful. Overall, a really pleasant ride
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
