Coldwater Mountain, Anniston, Alabama

On Friday, June 1, 2012 the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trails were officially opened for public use.  The decade-long effort to coordinate stakeholders to build a 4000 acre tract of land with the potential of 60 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails came to fruition when an enthusiastic crowd of about 70 gathered for the official opening.  Representatives from the Forever Wild Land Trust, IMBA/SORBA,IMBA’s Trail Solutions Team, NEABA, and interested community members were all on hand for the opening of the trails.

How do I get there?

Located on Coldwater Mountain in Anniston, AL, the trailhead is accessed from Coldwater Pump Road (AKA Coldwater Road) (Google Maps Link).

If you’re coming in on I-20:  Take Exit 179 (Coldwater/Munford Exit) off of I-20.  Turn North on Hwy 202 (AKA Co Rd 109). Travel 2.1 miles (crossing Hwy 78) and turn right onto Coldwater (Pump) Road. Travel a few hundred yards and turn right onto new black-top paved road and travel 1 miles to new parking lot and trailhead.

From downtown Anniston, travel 6.5 miles out 202 and turn left onto Coldwater Pump Road.  If you get to Hwy 78, you’ve gone too far.

What Can I Expect?

Coldwater Mountain Bike Trails offer a 1.5 mile Beginner Loop that is suitable for riders of all experience levels. A 10 mile Blue loop for Intermediate riders has also been completed that circles the mountain. Phase II is coming fall/winter of 2012/2013 with 10 more miles of epic trail.

The SORBA crew was on-hand to welcome the first public visitors to the trail.  From their article Coldwater Mountain Open for Business, they quote Rich Edwards with IMBA Trail Solutions, “Because this is the first trail out here, we wanted to build something cutting edge, something that would be relevant in two or three years.  We integrated rollers and berms so that you pump your way through the trail with a minimum of pedaling. It’s a particular style of riding, and one that all riders can enjoy, once they learn the trail.”

Some of the reactions they quote from riders were:

“This trail is a lot of fun. I’ve never ridden anything like it.
Bomb Dog is the bomb!
The view of Anniston from the trail is amazing.
I wish I had this trail in my backyard.
The Little Loop is just perfect for beginners. My son loved it!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!”

Even Thomas Spencer with the Birmingham News picked up the story of the Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail grand opening with the headline, “Alabama’s Coldwater Mountain Forever Wild mountain biking trails drawing riders (with video).”

A lot of smiles came back out of the woods after completing the loop with the inevitable question… “who’s up for another lap?”

“We’ve followed the development of this system on line and through IMBA. Wow. We’ll be back for more…and bring a ton of folks from Nashville. It’s definitely worth the trip.”

“I’ve never ridden anything like that before…” Riders came from NC, TN, GA, and of course AL for the opening weekend.

Current Maps of the Trail

Here is IMBA's listing for Coldwater on MTBproject.com