Skullbuster

If you're ready to step up from the smooth and easy riding of trails like Veterans Park or Capitol View Park, Skullbuster might be your next destination. I offhand do not know how many total miles of riding there is in Skullbuster, but there is a main loop with a connector to the parking area which is around 8 miles, and you can take multiple loops off of that main loop, creating the ride that suits your needs. Skullbuster is more rugged, and you'll see fewer people on the trail, so be in reasonable shape and come with some snacks, plenty of water, and I always suggest tube patches and/or an extra tube if your bike isn't tubeless. There is a lot of varied terrain in Skullbuster, including some rocky areas, and it's a lot more fun to ride out than walk out.

The trails in Skullbuster can be ridden by users with any reasonable skill level, however, I would highly suggest for beginning to intermediate riders to build up their skills on easier trails before trying Skullbuster.

There are separate trails for horse and for bikes, so make sure you're paying attention to which trail you are on, as a few of them do cross each other, but there are no trails in Skullbuster which allow both cyclists and horses.

The terrain is fairly rough, and while you can bypass the trails and reach Stockdale Road fairly quickly from most of the trails, you can still find yourself quite a ways from your car if you have an incident on the trails. Skullbuster is a fairly serious trail, so take it seriously and come prepared. I have had a few flats from rocks on the trail and walking out would not be the ideal way to end a ride. I always ride with my phone in my water pack, I suggest if you can safely pack your phone you do so and preload offline maps so that you can figure out where you are at any given time if you get lost.

But don't take this as too stern of a warning; the trails at Skullbuster are well-designed and there are markings along trails and at every intersection. The trails are exciting, enjoyable, and will wear you out while leaving you wanting more, but it is not a trail system to try out for your first mountain bike ride.

I have a video from August 2014 of Skullbuster, and while quite a few new trails have been added, as far as I know most of the trails in this video are still the 'main' loops and is still a good view of the terrain and variety of trails and trees and views you'll experience at Skullbuster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHBcxNCkivs

While there are maps online of the park, one great resource for a lot of trail maps is Open Street Maps, including various layers to visualize the trails or topography, etc. https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/38.33933/-84.64086

Before you go, be sure to check the https://kymbabluegrass.org/skullbuster page for any trail closures, as this area does close at certain times of the year for hunting season.

Please be respectful of our trails. Do not ride them when they are wet, check trail condition sites before going. Do not ride them on high-powered e-bikes, gasoline powered dirt bikes, horses, etc. Take in the scenery, and take out what you brought in.