Six of last year’s top ten mountain bike trail systems did not make it to the 2025 Elite 8, shaking up the competition in exciting ways. For those who have followed our annual poll in the past, you’ll remember that we traditionally used a straightforward voting system where each voter selected three favorites, and trails were ranked based on total votes. However, This year, we’ve switched things up by introducing bracket-style voting to add a little March Madness excitement.
The Elite 8 is Now Set
After an intense round of voting, four trail systems from last year’s top ten have made it to the Elite 8:
- Hobbs State Park
- Northwoods/Cedar Glades
- Iron Mountain
- Mount Nebo State Park
An interesting twist this year is that, due to the way the bracket unfolded, only two of these past champions will advance to the Final Four.
New Contenders Bring Excitement
In addition to these returning favorites, four trail systems that have never made it to the top ten before are making a strong showing:
- Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (info)
- Passion Play Trails (info)
- Ouachita National Recreation Trail (info)
- The Lakewoods Trails (info)
This group includes two IMBA Epic trails, a relatively new trail system in Southeast Arkansas, and a popular system in Eureka Springs. These fresh contenders are adding an extra layer of excitement to the voting this year.
Time to Vote
With the 2025 Elite 8 mountain bike trails now set, it’s time for mountain biking enthusiasts to make their voices heard. Voting will remain open until Thursday night, and the results will determine which trail systems advance to the Final Four.
Vote Now!
We also want to hear your predictions. Which trails do you think will make it to the final round? Share your thoughts and rally support for your favorites in the comments. The battle for the top spot is heating up, and every vote counts.
