Barber Hills Mountain Bike Trail at Pat Mayse Lake is 17 miles of biking and hiking enjoyment. Desperate for trails closer to home, Clint Barber approached the US Army Corp of Engineers about creating a trail system near Paris, TX. They approved using land in the Sanders Cove area in 2005, so Barber and some friends set to work creating what is now Barber Hills MTB Trails. The trails are still completely volunteer-maintained.
Barber Hills MTB Trails
- Dogwood
- Barber
- Milkweed
- Buzzard Hallow
- Upper Bedford
- Inner Loop
- Lower Bedford
- Bottom Bracket
- Deer Run
- Easy Rider
- Hargis
- Big Booty
We rode all the trails in the forward direction with the exception of Big Booty which we rode forward and reverse. If I remember correctly, Upper Dogwood is now Big Booty. Feel free to correct me if that is not the case. Since the trails can be ridden in either direction, be sure to watch for oncoming riders and hikers.
Trail Features
Since the terrain is hilly there are no long, steep climbs like Park City, but it’s a lot of fun rolling up and down through the trees enjoying beautiful views of Pat Mayse Lake along Lower Dogwood, Barber and Buzzard Hallow. In this case, the up and down also involves gully crossings with wooden or metal bridges. Most are easy rollers but a few are steep with exposed roots and require speed and proper shifting to ride.
They’ve done a nice job of incorporating obstacles throughout the trail system. Ramps, skinnies, logs and a skills area at the Sanders Cove Trailhead. Most are the low consequence, confidence building types, good for beginner riders and those looking to improve their skills.
There are large, detailed trail maps throughout the system and all trails are well marked with the universal green circle or blue square designations and directional markers. Black arrows with a white background for forward and white arrows with a red background for reverse. Barber Hills is a well-designed system with nice trails for beginners and advanced riders alike.
Trail conditions were excellent when we rode in October. Hard packed and dry but not dusty, lots of fallen leaves and just a couple loose sandy corners to watch for.
Check trail status at Dorba.org or the Barber Hills Trail Facebook Page.
Barber Hills Mountain Bike Trailhead Location
Near Sanders Cove Gatehouse
County Road 35920
Arthur City, TX 75411
Accomodations
Paris Inn and Suites
3075 Northeast Loop 286
Paris, Texas 75460
Paris Inn and Suites is a newer or recently remodeled hotel on the North end of Paris just off Loop 286. The rooms were clean and spacious with very comfortable beds. All the basic amenities are there; free wifi, coffee/tea maker, microwave, refrigerator, desk and tv. The lobby includes a business center and a continental breakfast bar. Paris town center was only a couple minutes drive and about a 5 min drive to the Eiffel Tower. They currently do not allow pets and they have no rollaways, extra beds or cribs.
Paris, TX Highlights
Paris has an abundance of civic pride and is obviously blessed with a strong cycling community and claims to be “The Ultimate Texas Biking Destination”.
- Trail de Paris
- Tour de Paris
- Mountain Bike Trails at Barber Hills
- Bike Rentals
- Pump Track at Love Civic Center
When in Paris, eat what the Parisians eat, so we set out to find good Texas BBQ. A quest which led us to Scholl Bros on Lamar. We found the casual atmosphere and tasty BBQ made the perfect combination and was exactly what we had in mind for our Texas BBQ experience.
Scholl Bros Bar-B-Que
1528 Lamar Ave
Paris, TX 75460
Be sure to visit the Eiffel Tower at Love Civic Center. It’s a one of kind Texas triumph.
