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Faull Line Gravity Park Brings a New Kind of Mountain Biking Near Horseshoe Bend

Writer: Brent Hanson
Brent Hanson
Oct 1
6 min read

A former zip line park near Horseshoe Bend has been given a completely new purpose, and this time the focus is on downhill mountain biking.


Faull Line Gravity Park has opened on the former Zip Idaho property, giving Treasure Valley riders a new option for gravity focused mountain biking without requiring a trip to one of Idaho’s larger resort based bike parks.


The concept is pretty simple. Riders get access to more than 600 vertical feet of downhill trails, then instead of pedaling all the way back uphill, they can catch a shuttle to the top and do it again.


Even more unusual, the park limits attendance to just 20 riders per day.

That means fewer crowds, more opportunities to ride, and a completely different experience from busy mountain bike destinations where long lift lines and crowded trails can become part of the day.


For Boise area riders looking for something new, Faull Line could become an interesting weekend destination.


Here is what makes the park different and why it could be worth the drive.


A Former Zip Line Park Gets a Second Life


Faull Line Gravity Park is located on the former Zip Idaho property near Horseshoe Bend.

Instead of letting the property sit unused, the site has been transformed into a mountain biking destination built around downhill riding.


The terrain already provided one of the most important ingredients for a gravity park: elevation.


Riders now have access to more than 600 vertical feet of descent, creating the kind of riding experience that can be difficult to find close to the Treasure Valley without heading farther into the mountains.


For Boise residents, that makes the park especially interesting.

Horseshoe Bend is close enough for a day trip, meaning riders can spend a full day on the trails without turning the outing into an entire weekend adventure.


What Is a Gravity Park?


If you are not deep into mountain biking, the term "gravity park" might sound a little unfamiliar.


Traditional mountain biking usually involves both climbing and descending.


You ride uphill, earn your descent, and repeat.


Gravity focused mountain biking changes that equation.


The emphasis is on the downhill portion of the ride.


Instead of spending much of the day climbing, riders are transported back to the top so they can spend more time descending.


At Faull Line, that transportation comes in the form of shuttle rides.


Once riders reach the bottom, they can get a ride back to the top and start another lap.

That allows riders to spend more of their energy actually riding downhill.


For anyone who loves technical descents, jumps, corners, and fast flowing trails, that can make for a very different day on the bike.


Unlimited Shuttle Laps Are a Big Part of the Experience


One of Faull Line’s biggest selling points is the shuttle system.

Riders get unlimited rides back to the top during their visit.

That means no long uphill grind between every descent.

For experienced mountain bikers, the benefit is obvious.

You can ride more laps in a shorter amount of time.


Instead of spending a significant portion of the day climbing, riders can focus on practicing downhill skills and learning different trail lines.


It also makes the experience potentially appealing to riders who enjoy downhill mountain biking but do not necessarily want a full day of climbing.


The shuttle format is common at larger downhill bike destinations, but having something like this relatively close to Boise adds another option for Treasure Valley riders.


Only 20 Riders Per Day


This may be the most distinctive part of Faull Line Gravity Park.

The park limits attendance to 20 riders each day.


That is tiny compared with major mountain bike parks.

But that appears to be the point.


The limited capacity creates a more private experience with fewer riders competing for trail space.


Instead of constantly catching other riders or waiting for groups to clear a trail, visitors may have significantly more room to ride.


It also means shuttle lines should remain manageable.

For riders who have visited large bike parks on busy weekends, that difference could be noticeable.


The tradeoff is availability.


With only 20 spots per day, riders may need to plan ahead rather than deciding at the last minute that they want to visit.


Why Fewer Riders Could Be a Good Thing


Mountain biking has grown tremendously in popularity across Idaho.

That is great for the sport, but it also means popular trails can get crowded.

On busy weekends, riders may encounter hikers, other mountain bikers, trail runners, and groups moving at different speeds.


Gravity parks remove some of those conflicts because the trails are specifically designed around downhill riding.


Limiting the number of riders adds another layer.

For some people, the appeal will be the ability to ride repeated laps without feeling like they are navigating through a crowd.


That could also create a more relaxed atmosphere where riders can stop, practice sections, and improve their technique.


Instead of trying to move through a packed resort, Faull Line appears to be aiming for something smaller and more intentional.


A New Mountain Biking Option for Boise Riders


The Treasure Valley already has a strong mountain biking community.

Boise’s foothills trail system gives riders access to miles of trails directly from the city.

Bogus Basin also offers mountain biking opportunities in the mountains above Boise.

But Faull Line adds something different.


It is focused specifically on downhill riding and shuttle access.

That means it is not necessarily competing directly with Boise’s traditional trail systems.

Instead, it gives riders another type of experience.


Someone might spend their weekday evenings riding the Boise Foothills, then head to Horseshoe Bend for a gravity focused weekend session.


Having different riding options within a reasonable drive is part of what makes the Boise area attractive to outdoor enthusiasts.


Could This Attract Riders From Outside the Treasure Valley?

Potentially.


Mountain bikers often travel specifically to ride new trail systems.

A small gravity park with limited attendance could become appealing to riders who prefer less crowded destinations.


The combination of shuttle access and limited daily capacity makes Faull Line somewhat unusual.


It could also give visitors another reason to spend time around Horseshoe Bend.

Outdoor recreation can have ripple effects for smaller communities.


Riders may stop for food, fuel, coffee, or supplies while traveling through the area.

If the park becomes popular, it could introduce more people to a part of Idaho they may otherwise only drive through on the way to somewhere else.


What New Riders Should Know


A gravity park is different from a casual bike ride along the Greenbelt.

Downhill mountain biking can involve higher speeds, steeper terrain, technical obstacles, and greater risk.


Riders should choose trails that match their skill level and use appropriate safety equipment.

A helmet is essential, and many downhill riders also use additional protection depending on the terrain and riding style.


It is also important to understand that getting shuttled uphill does not make the riding itself easier.


In some ways, it can make a day more physically demanding because riders are able to complete significantly more downhill laps.


Your legs, arms, and grip can get tired quickly when you are repeatedly descending technical trails.


For newcomers, pacing yourself can be just as important as choosing the right trail.


Why This Fits the Treasure Valley Lifestyle


For people considering moving to Idaho, outdoor access is often one of the biggest reasons the Treasure Valley stands out.


You can live in a growing metro area while still having access to hiking, biking, skiing, rafting, fishing, and camping within a relatively short drive.


Faull Line Gravity Park adds another option to that list.

It is not a massive resort.


It is not trying to accommodate hundreds of riders every day.

Instead, it offers a smaller mountain biking experience built around repeated downhill laps and limited crowds.


That may actually be exactly what some riders are looking for.

As Boise and the surrounding communities continue to grow, recreation areas can become busier.


Smaller destinations like Faull Line can help spread riders across more locations while giving people new ways to enjoy Idaho’s landscape.


Is It Worth the Drive From Boise?


That depends on what kind of mountain biking you enjoy.

If you love long climbs and earning every descent, the shuttle format may not be what you are looking for.


But if the downhill portion is your favorite part of the ride, Faull Line offers a pretty compelling setup.


More than 600 vertical feet.

Unlimited shuttle rides.

Only 20 riders per day.


And a location close enough to Boise to make a day trip realistic.


That combination makes the park stand out from many traditional riding areas around the Treasure Valley.


Another Outdoor Option Near Boise


Faull Line Gravity Park is a good example of how Idaho’s outdoor recreation scene continues to evolve.


A property once built around zip lining has now been transformed into a downhill mountain biking destination.


Instead of sitting empty, the land has been repurposed for a different type of adventure.

For Treasure Valley mountain bikers, that means one more place to ride.


And with such a small daily rider limit, it could offer something that is becoming increasingly valuable as Idaho grows: a little more space.


Would you make the drive from Boise for a day of downhill riding and unlimited shuttle laps?


Follow @iHeartCityOfTrees for more local news, outdoor destinations, development updates, and everything happening across the Treasure Valley.

 
 
 

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