MAMBA
FAQs

There are trails on Moscow Mountain? How do you find the trails?

Yes, there’s an extensive 60+ mile network of multi-use trails on Moscow Mountain! The best way to find the trails is to download the TrailForks App to your smartphone, and locate Moscow Mountain. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can view an interactive map on our website under the “Trails” tab at the top of the page. If you prefer a paper copy of the map, you can find those for purchase at Hyperspud Sports, Book People, and Rolling Hills Bikes in downtown Moscow.

Are the trails on Forest Service Land?

Nope, almost all of the trails on Moscow Mountain are located on privately owned land. We are allowed access to these amazing trails because of the generosity of the landowners which include companies such as Bennet Lumber, private landowners, the City of Moscow, and Latah County. This makes it important for us as trail users to respect the wishes of the private landowners, follow the rules, and be good trail stewards. We have cultivated these relationships over decades, please make it easy for us to continue to have access for the future. 

What are the rules for using the trails?

The primary rules of the trails are:

1. No motorized vehicles
2. No fires
3. No target shooting
4. Be kind and considerate of other trail users
5. Be respectful of any trail closures

Where do you find trail condition updates? 

The best way to find the trails conditions is to download the TrailForks App to your smartphone and locate the trails you wish to ride. Trail condition updates can also be found on our website under the “Trails” tab at the top of the page. We encourage users to enter trail reports! It helps not only users on the mountain, but our trail committee know if there are hazards in trail routes that need to be cleared.

For bigger trail announcements, like closures, we do our best to share news via our social media platforms and email.

I need to report a tree down, bridge broken, a corner really sucks, etc. Where do I do that?

Please download the TrailForks App or go online to TrailForks and find the trail with the problem. You can then report the problem in detail, and even share a photo. Then we can assign the report to a trusty volunteer to assess the situation and ideally fix it. All our work is volunteer base, so it might not happen tomorrow, but we prioritize doing our best to keep the trails open and ridable. The more details you can give us, the better! 

Is there a map? Where can I get a map?

MAMBA uses TrailForks as our official trail map partner, and the maps can be found in multiple locations. The best place to access the map and find conditions of the trails is to download the TrailForks App to your smartphone, and locate Moscow Mountain. The map is also located on the MAMBA website by following this link: https://mambatrails.org/trails/

If you would like a paper copy of the map, we sell them at our public events and they can be purchased at Hyperspud Sports, Book People, and Rolling Hills Bikes in downtown Moscow.

What is MAMBA and what does MAMBA do?

For more than 25 years, MAMBA has been developing, maintaining, and promoting trails on and around Moscow Mountain. MAMBA is a group of mountain bikers, hikers, runners, Nordic skiers, and other non-motorized users who build and maintain these amazing trails. 

Why should I become a member? Where do my donations/membership go?

Donations and membership fees help MAMBA in the following ways:

1. Support operational expenses like renting space for tool storage, pay for our software service that supports our website, and cover required insurance for our rides and trail-building events.
2. Maintain trailhead services like having porta-potties, trash cans, and trail signs.
3. Support winter trail grooming efforts.
4. Purchase new tools and provide maintenance of tools.
5. Support special projects like the expansion of West Twin parking lot or the Powell Project.

Is it only for mountain bikers?

No! MAMBA trails are for all non-motorized recreators, whatever gets our community on the trails. All runners, skiers, hikers, walkers, bikers, and dancers are welcome!

Are horses allowed?

Horses are always allowed on Bennett Lumber Products property. MAMBA specializes in building trails for mountain bikers, MAMBA trails are not optimized for the equestrian experience. Not all landowners allow horses on their private property, if you are unsure about access, we recommend contacting the landowner. 

Who has the right of way on the trail?

• biker vs. biker– Uphill riders have the right-of-way i.e. downhill riders should yield to uphill riders. Why? Because it’s much harder to get started again on an incline than it is for the riders. But we always suggest having a conversation, sometimes the uphill biker needs a break anyway. That’s why we have the ‘be nice, say hi!’ stickers on our signs. 
• Horse vs. anyone else– Horses always get the right of way. Even the calmest horse may spook unexpectedly, putting the rider and/or others in harm’s way.
• biker vs. hiker– Bikers yield to hikers. However, if you are both going down, it’s common courtesy to step aside and let the biker(s) through. Also, sometimes the uphill hiker wants a reason to have a break- have a quick conversation about your intentions. 
• hiker vs. hiker– Uphill hikers have right of way, but sometimes they want a break. It’s common courtesy to let faster hikers to go around and continue on their journey. 

In the end, we suggest having a quick chat about what each other’s intentions are, and always reducing speed around corners, blind spots, and intersections to reduce the chances of user conflict. 

What’s the best beginner trail?

For never-ever bike riders, we suggest going to Virgil Phillips Farm Park. Several trails are perfect for beginner riders. Please note that only Red-Tailed Hawk Loop is for bikers, the rest are for pedestrian traffic only.

The most popular trail is the Headwaters trail on the west side of Moscow Mountain. All our trail maps have the universal difficulty rating of beginner (green circle), intermediate (blue square), or advanced (black diamond). The easiest trails will be labeled as green beginner trails.

I’m visiting, what should I ride?

Ohhh that’s a hard one. It all depends on how advanced of a rider you are and how long of a ride you’re looking for. Any loop which takes you to the top of Paradise Point is a must for any visitor to Moscow Mountain.

I’m in town visiting. Where can I rent a bike?

As of 2024, no shop we know of in Moscow rents mountain bikes. 

Who builds the trails?

All of the MAMBA Trails are 100% volunteer-built! We rely on independent volunteers, trail dig days, groups, Boy Scouts, local non-profits, businesses, universities, and even the Vandal and WSU Ski Teams. It’s likely if you live in Moscow, you know someone who has helped to build or maintain the trails. We couldn’t do it without this great community- THANK YOU! 

How do I find out about the next trail work and how can I get involved?

The best way to find out and get involved with local trail building is become a MAMBA member and get added to the email list! You can also follow MAMBA on our Facebook page for all the latest news and updates!

I’ve never attended a work event before. Do I need any experience?

Nope and thank you for wanting to help out! Our dig days are lead by volunteers who have a set project for the day and will help organize the crew for success. We suggest telling the leader what your experience is and they will give feedback throughout the dig as needed. We will do a safety briefing and tool orientation before starting the work. Please come prepared to work with closed-toe shoes (boots are great), long pants, and a backpack with some water, snacks, life-saving medication (i.e. inhaler if you have asthma), and an extra layer if needed.  

I have lots of experience trail building, how can I help out? Do I need to go to a trail build? 

AWESOME and thank you for wanting to help out! Please come to a trail committee meeting and one trail build to get to know us and we can get to know you. Then we can find a project that best suits what you are hoping to get out of trail building. If you already have an idea of what you want, please come to a trail committee meeting so we can talk about how we do trail building, sign a waiver, and get you the tools you need for success. We log all of our trail building on TrailForks so we know what work has been done on the mountain. 

Can my company/school/organization come out to work on a trail?

YES! Please reach out to info@bikemoscow.org and we will get you in touch with someone who can find a date and location that work for you. 

Are e-bikes allowed on Moscow Mountain?

We defer to the landowners preference about the use of e-bikes and when a landowner preference isn’t clear, MAMBA’s stance is that Class 1 e-bikes (pedal assist only) are allowed. No bikes with throttles are allowed on any MAMBA trails. E-bikes are NOT permitted on Penstemon Path from Idler’s Rest Parking area. Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on all Bennet Lumber Products property which includes (but not limited to) Headwaters. Please respect landowner wishes and don’t use an e-bike on property that does not allow it. 

I saw something weird/illegal/suspicious on the mountain. Who do I talk to to report?

MAMBA does not have enforcement authority, please contact 911 if it is life-threatening or an urgent matter (i.e. report a fire). If you suspect something illegal, please contact the Latah County Sheriff at (208) 882-2216. We assist land managers and owners in ensuring trail users are aware of the land manager’s rules for recreational use of the trail system, including closers and access alerts (i.e. logging operations).