These are 5 of the best mountain bike trails in Moab. They are intermediate to advanced rides. Of course, these are subjective and Moab has been building new trails like mad-so feel free to comment below about your must ride trails.
Riding with kids? Check out our post on the best mountain biking in Moab for kids.
Also, check out our extensive posts on where to eat, stay, and explore in Moab on our main Moab page.
Things to know
Summer temps can be extreme
Don’t visit Moab in the summer, temps will be near 100°and it will not be fun to ride. If you must go in the summer, stay on the upper trails in the La Sals or ride early.
Moab is cold in the winter
March is the earliest you’ll want to plan a trip to Moab and it still might be cold. Top months are April, May, October, and November.
The exposure is extreme
The exposure in Moab is no joke. Portal trail is the most well-known trail for exposure, but many other trails have single track right along the edge of a cliff. Walk whenever you need for safety.
Moab is Popular
If you visit during the Spring or Fall Moab will be packed. It’s a popular destination for just about everyone including mountain bikers, Jeepers, hikers, and national park fans. Bring your patience and book early. That said, most of the trails listed here will allow you to get away from the crowds (at least at times) and enjoy nature.
Klonzo
If you want to ease into Moab riding and/or have kids, Klonzo is a great place to start. Klonzo is fast rolling and offers fun lines in under two hours.
Route suggestion: Use Borderline to get up to Gravitron. Then make your way to Zoltar and try Red Hot, Roller Coaster and Topspin. To step it up, try Dunestone.
Ride if: You want minimal challenge with beautiful scenery, slickrock, and singletrack.
Family beta: Carousel and Hot Dog are good options for kids.
Navajo Rocks Loop
Navajo Rocks mountain biking trails are nineteen miles of intermediate trails with amazing views. The Navajo Rocks loop trail system is about 25 minutes from Moab. Head north on HW 191 and turn West on HW 313. Fun slickrock, some sand and cactus make it a classic for Moab and way better than Slickrock Trail. Not far from town these trails offer a variety. The direction most people take is clockwise but if you want a longer descent on Coney Island go counter-clockwise.
This loop combines 5 trails for 17.4 miles of slickrock riding with short punchy climbs and descents. As you ride, you will go around a mesa on Big Mesa trail, ride slickrock on Ramblin, experience some tech on Rocky Tops, have some downhill fun on Coney Island and be on the edge on Big Lonely.
If you want to cut the ride in half you can use the Middle Earth trail. Otherwise, the entire 17 miles are some of the best intermediate trails in Moab. The scenery is amazing – you will be surrounded by red rock and should have plenty of peace and quiet at times. Don’t forget to bring more water than you think, this ride has sun exposure the entire time!
Ride If: You want variety with a good sampling of slickrock and classic Moab views.
Family Beta: This is a solid intermediate ride good for those experienced groms. This is not for beginners or those short on stamina.
Magnificent 7 / Mag 7
The Magnificent 7 trails are part of the exciting singletrack resurgence in Moab. Mag 7 features a network of trails that link the upper and lower ends of Gemini Bridges Road and can be ridden as a point-to-point with a shuttle or as different loops. One of our favorite ways is to take Getaway to Bull Run to Great Escape. Start Getaway near 313/Gemini Bridges road until it takes you into Bull Run. It descends about 1000 feet but like other mountain bike trails in Moab, you’ll be working the entire way with many challenging obstacles. On the bright side, this a trail with lots of scenic overlooks.
Ride if: You love flowy singletrack with some technical moves.
Family beta: If you take turns shuttling you can both ride it in one day; taking about 2 hours each plus drive time. The other person can ride with the kids at the Bar M trails while waiting or explore the Mag 7 trails as an out and back.
The Whole Enchilada
The world famous Whole Enchilada is a must-do on any mountain bike bucket list and is a classic Moab ride. The route takes you from the mountain to the desert. You’ll be at the edge (literally) of Castle Valley and then down a thrilling (and bone jarring) descent to the edge of Jackass Canyon where you’ll ride sweet singletrack around and down to the Colorado River.
Ride if: You have 130mm of travel or more on your bike, want to go fast, want amazing scenery.
Family beta: This is another shuttle ride. We have done Porcupine Rim from three drop off points. Burro Pass Trailhead for the entire ride (4 hours+ plus shuttle time) LPS (2-3 hours plus shuttle) or from the end of Sand Flats road (2 hours plus shuttle time). When you reach the Grandstaff Canyon trailhead you ride back to town or have the other person waiting there. The Grandstaff Canyon hike is a great place to hike with kids while waiting for your spouse.
Check out our detailed Whole Enchilada ride report for more tips and info on this route.
Hymasa/Captain Ahab
Amasa Back is no longer the preferred option for MTBr’s to gain access to Captain Ahab. The Hymasa/Captain Ahab ride is now legendary. Enough climbing to get your heart rate up and massive adrenaline on the descent.
Ride if: You want a classic Moab experience with amazing scenery. You are brave enough to ride Captain Ahab down.
Family beta: HyMasa can be ridden as an out and back or you can take Captain Ahab down. It’s an easy ride back into town to meet the family or they can hike or bike around the trailhead.
Other Trails
Yes, we left out Slickrock. If you’re dying to see what all the hype is about it’s worth it just for the views and experience.
Other trails to check out include:
- Moab Brand Trails
- Dead Horse Point
- Klondike Bluffs
- The Raptor Route
Moab Bike Shuttles
For most of these rides catching a shuttle is a great option. Here are some shuttles to call for a ride.
- Chile Pepper Bike Shop | (435) 259-4688
- Coyote Shuttles | (435) 260-2097
- Hazard County Shuttle | (435) 210-8082
- Moab Cyclery | (435) 259-7423
- Poison Spider | (800) 635-1792
- Porcupine Shuttles | (435) 260-0896
Moab Bike Shops
Moab bike shops are the best around. The shops listed below have everything you need from emergency repairs to rentals, parts, gear, and clothes.
- Chile Pepper Bike Shop | (435) 259-4688
- Double Down Bike Shop | (435) 259-9196
- Moab Cyclery | (435) 259-7423
- Moab Bike Fiend | (435) 315-0002
- Poison Spider Bicycles | (800) 635-1792
- Rim Cyclery | (435) 259-5333
Also, check out the Moab Mountain Bike Association page for the latest trail building news.
Have you been to Moab lately? What are your favorite trails in Moab?
[…] beginner and lower intermediate rides. If you have a gravity grom on your hands head over to the 5 Best Rides in Moab page for more […]
Just road Klonzo 2. New trail on south side. North Klonzo established 2012 and is a great intermediate ride. I am needing additional information and maps for this new trail. It is a bit soft and starts off a bit off camber. All trail names are from the carnival and theme parks. Lots of fun.
David
I only have the one ride in Moab. The White Rim Road. While not the most technically difficult it is an all day ride. At 98+ miles it has zero family points. The views are the why. Most people plan a night or two but I hate planning. 18.5 hours so it does qualify as a day trip. I am going back soon and thanks for your comments. I will ride most if not all of your posted rides. thank you. Ps I ride out of Los Alamos NM the home town of the atomic age. The aria has stunning geology, history, and trails. During the week free busses can aid with family shuttle and the ski hill has lift service some weekends. Santa Fe is the food and shopping. Education, fun, biking. That says Los Alamos.
Have fun in Moab!
Hello! If I have just one morning (4h) and I love really flowy and gooood views?
I’m Techinc and fast (I think) I’m 25 YO and I have been racing a lot in Europe. I means, I’m a bit stronger and I dont like to stop!
Thanks
I’ve only read the first 3 sections of your blog so far, but you’re spot on!
Thanks for helping to keep it all in perspective! I absolutely loved reading this!
I wrote about America’s Top 20 Best Mountain Bike Towns. I hope you will enjoy it – http://bestmtbgear.com/best-mountain-bike-towns/