Riding Moab, Utah: The Slickrock Sanctuary

Amidst the towering red rock formations and vast desert landscapes of Utah, Moab stands as a beacon for mountain biking enthusiasts from around the globe. With a reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations for the sport, Moab offers an unrivaled adventure for every rider, blending natural beauty with trails that challenge and excite.

Trails That Test and Thrill

Moab’s trails are as varied as they are breathtaking. From the infamous Slickrock Bike Trail, which offers 10.5 miles of petrified sand dunes and smooth Navajo sandstone, to the adrenaline-fueled descents of Porcupine Rim, each trail presents its own set of challenges and rewards. Beginners can find their stride on the Bar M trails, a network that allows for customizable loops with stunning views and manageable terrain, making it perfect for families and those new to the sport.

A Landscape Like No Other

What sets Moab apart is not just the variety of trails but the dramatic backdrop against which these biking adventures unfold. The iconic red rock landscape, with its arches, canyons, and towering mesas, serves as both the playground and the spectator, providing awe-inspiring views that elevate the riding experience. Sunrise and sunset rides are particularly spectacular, casting the rocks in brilliant hues of orange and red.

Recommended Mountain Biking Trails In Moab

Moab Brands Trails – Bar M Loop

• Length: Approximately 8 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Overview: The Bar M Loop is a great introduction to Moab mountain biking. It’s part of the more extensive Moab Brands Trail system, which offers a variety of loops and trails. The terrain here is relatively gentle, with a mix of packed dirt and slickrock. The trail serves up beautiful views of Arches National Park in the distance, making it a scenic as well as an enjoyable ride for beginners.

Dead Horse Point State Park – Intrepid Trail System

• Length: Options ranging from 1 to 9 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
• Overview: Within Dead Horse Point State Park, the Intrepid Trail System consists of three main loops that can be combined in various ways to suit your distance preference. The easiest loop, The Intrepid Loop, is about 1 mile. Combining this with the Great Pyramid Loop and the Big Chief Loop, you can tailor a ride that approaches your target length. The trails offer stunning vistas of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyonlands.

Courthouse Loop

• Length: Approximately 6 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Overview: Perfect for those new to mountain biking or just looking for a leisurely ride, the Courthouse Loop takes you around the base of the courthouse formations. It’s mostly flat, making it a comfortable ride, and provides ample opportunities to stop and take in the panoramic views of the dramatic red rock landscapes that define Moab.

Klonzo Trails – Borderline and Cross Canyon

• Length: Various options up to 8.5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
• Overview: Located a short drive north of Moab, the Klonzo Trails Area offers a network of interconnected trails catering to various skill levels. For an easy ride, combine the Borderline and Cross Canyon trails. These two offer gentle terrain with just enough variation to keep things interesting. You’ll ride through beautiful desert landscapes with views of striking rock formations.

Practice Loop

• Length: Approximately 4 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Overview: Part of the larger, well-known Slickrock Trail, the Practice Loop offers a taste of what mountain biking in Moab is all about without committing to the full 10-mile technical ride. It’s an excellent introduction to riding on slickrock, providing challenges for beginners but in a more manageable size and difficulty level.

Navajo Rocks – Chaco Loop

• Length: Approximately 17.2 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Description: The Navajo Rocks – Chaco Loop is a scenic and enjoyable trail that winds through classic Moab landscapes, including slickrock, mesa tops, and breathtaking canyons. The trail offers a balanced mix of technical sections and cruising parts, making it perfect for intermediate riders. The views of the La Sal Mountains and surrounding rock formations are spectacular throughout the ride.

Klondike Bluff Outer Loop

• Length: Approximately 14.9 miles round trip
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Description: This route provides a good mix of terrains, including slickrock, dirt singletrack, and a few technical sections that require careful navigation. The climb to the Klondike Bluff overlook is rewarded with stunning views of Arches National Park. The trail also passes by dinosaur tracks, adding a unique historical element to your ride.

Bull Run to Gemini Bridges

• Length: Varies, but a typical Bull Run to Gemini Bridges loop is around 13 to 15 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Description: The Mag 7 area comprises several interconnecting trails that offer a fantastic mix of riding experiences. The Bull Run to Gemini Bridges route focuses on the most approachable sections, presenting riders with rolling slickrock, sandy washes, and fast descents. While it may be slightly under 15 miles, it’s easily extended by adding nearby loops or out-and-back sections.

Pipe Dream

• Length: Approximately 9 miles one way, 18 miles round trip if you return on the same path
• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult (due to endurance needed for round trip)
• Description: Running along the Moab valley’s west side, Pipe Dream is a challenging singletrack that snakes across the hillside, offering amazing views of the town below and the red rock landscape. The trail has technical sections, tight switchbacks, and requires good bike handling skills. For a 15-mile experience, you can choose to turn around at any point.

The Whole Enchilada

• Length: Approximately 34 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Overview: This trail is a premier choice for mountain biking enthusiasts seeking an all-encompassing ride. Starting from high in the La Sal Mountains and descending all the way down to the Colorado River, the trail encompasses a wide variety of terrains, including alpine forests, open meadows, and slickrock. The vast changes in elevation and technical sections make it a challenging endeavor.

Porcupine Rim Trail

• Length: About 15 miles from town but can be extended to over 20 miles when combined with other trails for a full loop.
• Difficulty: Hard
• Overview: Less of a singular trail and more part of the Whole Enchilada network, Porcupine Rim offers some of the most iconic and technical singletrack riding in Moab when taken as part of a longer route. It culminates in a thrilling descent with breathtaking views of Castle Valley. Riders often combine this with other trails for a full-day adventure exceeding 20 miles.

Mag 7

• Length: Varies, with potential loops extending over 20-30 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Overview: Starting near Gemini Bridges, the Mag 7 trail network spirals down through a series of technical slickrock and dirt singletrack. The routes vary, with options to complete a shorter loop or extend your ride through various connector trails to challenge your endurance and technical skills.

Captain Ahab

• Length: 9.2 miles for the loop with HyMasa Trail, but can be extended with other trails in the area
• Difficulty: Hard
• Overview: Although the core loop is under your specified length, Captain Ahab can be combined with adjacent trails to tailor a ride meeting your criteria. Renowned for its technical slickrock and narrow ledges, this trail is a favorite among skilled riders seeking a challenge.

Slickrock Bike Trail

• Length: 10.5-mile main loop with a 2.3-mile practice loop
• Difficulty: Hard
• Overview: While the main trail itself might not meet your length criteria, the Slickrock Bike Trail remains one of Moab’s most iconic challenges due to its unique petrified dune terrain. Riders often lap the main loop or combine it with other nearby trails for a longer ride.

A Community Built on Adventure

At the heart of Moab’s mountain biking scene is a vibrant, welcoming community. Local bike shops and cafes serve as gathering spots where tales of rides are shared, and advice for tackling the trails is freely given. Events like the Moab Mountain Bike Festival bring enthusiasts together to celebrate the sport, offering group rides, skills clinics, and the chance to connect with other riders.

The Moab Experience

Riding in Moab is more than just a physical challenge; it’s an immersion into a landscape that has been millions of years in the making. The sense of scale and the raw beauty of the high desert environment make every pedal stroke a moment to savor. Beyond the trails, Moab offers a wealth of outdoor activities, from rock climbing and rafting to simply exploring the national parks that make this area so special.

An Invitation to Adventure

For mountain bikers, Moab represents a pinnacle of the sport — a place where the limits of both rider and equipment are tested against some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain on the planet. It’s a destination that calls to the adventurer in everyone, promising experiences that resonate long after the ride is over. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of the descent or the peace of a solitary ride through the desert, Moab beckons with the promise of adventure in every turn.