Back when there were absolutely no mountain bike trails in Brown County State Park (way back in 2003!) there was Nebo Ridge, Hickory Ridge, Valley Branch Retreat and Gnaw Bone Camp. Even without the trails in the state park the area had always been the best place in Indiana to get a mountain biking fix. All of those trails are still in existence, and they are still terrific to ride. Together with the trails in the state park there are now almost 150 miles of mountain bike trail within a short drive of downtown Nashville, Indiana.
Since the advent of the amazing trails in the state park, some of the other trails have taken a backseat to them. They are rougher to ride, less accessible and they lack the "polish" and "flow" of the state park trails. They are the yin to the state park's yang. They are everything that the trails in the state park are not. They provide a perfect compliment for the local rider or the out-of-town visitor. The Hoosier National Forest trails (Nebo and Hickory) provide a very remote backcountry experience and feeling that you just don't quite get at the state park.
This is fantastic for mountain biking tourism in the area. It means that visitors can have a wide variety of trail experiences during one visit. I recommend that a visit to the area of more than 2 days include one of these "alternate" rides. A perfect three days of riding would be Brown County State Park-Day 1, Nebo Ridge-Day 2, Brown County State Park-Day 3. If you're staying for a fourth day add Valley Branch or Gnaw Bone Camp, and you'll think you've landed in singletrack heaven. These "alternate" trails aren't for everybody. Your body and equipment have to be prepared. You have to have a sense of adventure, and a desire to get off the beaten path, but if you do, you will certainly be rewarded.
All of the info you need to plan your next mountain biking trip to Brown County can always be found at www.browncountymountainbiking.com.
