Moab is taken under consideration ‘the mecca’ for mountain biking nevertheless how are you conscious what to journey? Use this data to help plan your Moab mountain biking journey!
I’m going to get a wide range of pushback for saying this, nevertheless I actually don’t love mountain biking in Moab. Sure, there’s some iconic driving and the views are very good, nevertheless I lots favor the crimson rock of Sedona or the a lot much less crowded trails in Hurricane, Utah.
For my part, the Moab scene has change into overwhelming over the last few years with Nationwide Park goers, off-road ATVers, mountain bikers, and hikers. The paths – although they’ve been ahead of their time a decade prior to now – are complete good, nevertheless not the perfect.
Nonetheless that’s all merely my opinion. Mountain bikers prefer to flock to the crimson slickrock trails of Moab and it nonetheless stays a ‘mecca’ for lots of riders. Merely go to on a weekend in October and in addition you’ll see what I indicate.
I’ve accomplished a handful of journeys to Moab and on this put up, I share each factor you should know to plan your journey so that you probably can resolve in your self if Moab mountain biking lives as a lot because the hype!
In the hunt for the perfect trails? Receive my pointers for the 10 best mountain bike trails in Moab.
Moab Mountain Biking Map
As you’ve possibly guessed, there are A LOT of trails in Moab. These trails are unfold out all through 10 or so path networks:
Phew, that’s masses! The first time I visited Moab, I was pretty overwhelmed by the place to start and what to journey. Hopefully, this data gives you with a larger considered what trails and path networks you shouldn’t miss.
Moab Mountain Biking: What to love & what to not
So why is Moab so in type with mountain bikers? For one, Moab was really the first place that drew mountain bikers a few years prior to now. The slickrock driving was fully completely different from another mountain bike terrain throughout the nation and the superior environment and good local weather made it a terrific place to go to.
Moab was ‘the place’ for mountain bikers inside the 80s and that standing has type of caught, for increased or worse.
And it’s true – Moab does have good driving if that’s your trend. I’d title it cross-country on steroids. There are lots of punchy climbs, a great deal of chundery rock gardens, not a complete lot of sustained elevation purchase/loss (counting on which trails you’re driving or for many who’re shuttling), and enormous views just about steady.
There’s just a bit little bit of each factor for every type of rider from novice to educated nevertheless merely be prepared for old-school trend trails with not a ton of transfer.
Moab’s Path Networks
Now let’s get into the satisfying stuff! The mountain biking in Moab can be broken down into ten fully completely different path networks. Just a few of those networks are pretty isolated whereas others you probably can hyperlink collectively to create bigger rides.
I’ve listed them in order of relative drawback with Moab Mannequin Trails being the ‘finest’ and Amasa Once more being the hardest.
1. Moab Mannequin Trails
The Moab Mannequin Trails are home to quite a lot of the oldest singletrack in Moab and it’s a terrific place to warmth as a lot because the driving in Moab or convey the family if all people has fully completely different expertise or well being ranges.
Lots of these trails have a cross-country actually really feel, some on slickrock (like Circle O), although you probably can undoubtedly uncover some tech proper right here as correctly.
Must you uncover the Moab Mannequin Trails powerful, it’s best to stay on the additional beginner and intermediate trails spherical Moab. This group moreover has some good views out over Arches Nationwide Park!
Need to know for the Moab Mannequin Trails
Planning your Moab Mannequin Trails journey
2. Lifeless Horse Degree
The trail system at Lifeless Horse Degree State Park is one different good selection for riders or households in the hunt for a cross-country day trip on the paths. There are a selection of loops you’ll be able to do ranging from just a few miles to a 12 or 15-mile day.
The Lifeless Horse Degree trails are positioned extreme up on a mesa they normally overlook Canyonlands Nationwide Park. It’s really the place the ending of the movie Thelma and Louisa was filmed! I like driving proper right here because of it has quite a lot of the best views out of all the path networks in Moab.
There’s some publicity proper right here, nevertheless you really ought to get off the trail and stroll to the sting to be in any type of hazard.
Need to know for Lifeless Horse State Park
Planning your Lifeless Horse State Park journey
3. Klonzo
I actually really feel similar to the Klonzo path group falls a bit beneath the radar for Moab mountain biking, nonetheless it’s actually one among my favorite areas to journey. I actually assume there’s additional transfer proper right here than most completely different networks in Moab. It’s moreover a terrific place to maneuver if there are a lot of of us in town and in addition it’s good to get away from path website guests.
It’s possible you’ll rely on just a bit little bit of each factor proper right here from cross-country climbing to flowy descents, rock choices, and good views.
Gravitron is my favorite path proper right here – it’s type of a hidden gem. You’ll moreover want to check out the paths on the alternative aspect of the freeway. The Pink Scorching to The Edge is an superior downhill and Topspin and Rollercoaster are worth attempting out as correctly.
Need to know for Klonzo
Planning your Klonzo journey
4. Navajo Rocks
Navajo Rocks is likely to be my favorite place to mountain bike in Moab. The paths aren’t too techy to be utteraly exhausting, nevertheless they nonetheless have a couple of of Moab’s iconic punchiness. Almost all of those loops are moreover on slickrock, so that you really get the Moab experience. Plus, the views are epic! Navajo Rocks really has all of it.
There are two loops you’ll be able to do proper right here, or for many who’re feeling frisky, you probably can combine them into one really giant loop. Irrespective of you resolve, rely on numerous rock driving, punchy ups, good views, and fast-rolling slickrock descents that aren’t virtually prolonged adequate.
Need to know for Navajo Rocks
Planning your Navajo Rocks journey
5. Klondike Bluffs
Must you like techy climbing, Klondike Bluffs is the place for you! These trails are constructed on a low bluff (subsequently the determine) and to get to the very best of the bluff is… a little bit little bit of a grunt. In spite of everything, techy climbing means techy descents as correctly.
I’ve ridden proper right here quite a lot of situations and whereas I wouldn’t title it my favorite place to mountain bike in Moab, it is worth attempting out if you’ve bought the time. There’s a wide range of slickrock driving, rolling (and oftentimes technical) traverses, and well-built downhill runs with some good transfer.
Phrase: I’m not as accustomed to the south aspect of Klondike Bluffs. The paths get respectable critiques, however when it’s your first time to Klondike and in addition you solely have a day to journey there, I prefer to advocate driving the north aspect trails like Alaska and Homer.
Need to know for Klondike Bluffs
Planning your Klondike Bluffs journey
6. Sand Flats
The Sand Flats Recreation House has been the principle focus of a wide range of new path establishing over the last few years. The Raptor-themed trails (Falcon Transfer, Eagle Eye, Hawks Glide, and so forth…) provide a mellower finish to The Full Enchilada (see the La Sals half beneath) they normally make for a terrific loop – or shuttle – in and of themselves.
Sands Flats will be home to the enduring Slickrock Path. It was as quickly as a moto trials path and was one among many first trails mountain bikers adopted in Moab. That being said, I don’t assume the full Slickrock Path is worth it. It’s exhausting with all the steep ups and downs and there are means increased trails to spend your vitality on. That being said, it will likely be a blast on an e-bike – the Slickrock Path is among the many few mountain bike trails in Moab that is open to e-bikers.
Need to know for Sand Flats
Planning your Sand Flats journey
7. La Sal Mountains
The La Sal Mountains are the tall, 12,000+ foot and sometimes snow-capped peaks that get up behind Moab. They’re moreover the beginning line for actually one among Moab’s most infamous descents, The Full Enchilada, along with Porcupine Rim, actually one among Moab’s hottest trails.
There’s really not an extreme quantity of function to maneuver up into the La Sals besides you’re doing The Full Enchilada, whereby case you probably can study my TWE full path data proper right here. You may additionally get a shuttle to the tip of Sand Flats Avenue the place you probably can entry UPS and easily do the last word 15 miles of The Full Enchilada, which I am going to argue is the perfect half.
8. Horsethief & Journal 7
I grouped these two path networks collectively because of most riders will each merely do Horsethief or do every Horsethief and Journal 7 as a shuttled journey. Must you’re solely driving Journal 7 you possibly aren’t learning this put up because of you acknowledge what you’re doing.
For my part, Horsethief is just okay…. I don’t assume it flows along with completely different path networks. Nonetheless that being said, some riders prefer it. Horsethief connects into the Journal 7 trails (the enduring and expert-only Gold Bar Rim and Portal path), which are bike-it guidelines rides for lots of mountain bikers heading to Moab. So, I don’t must discourage you from checking this area out.
The upper Horsethief trails are a mix of cross-country and affordable tech with numerous punchy rock slab climbs. It’s the type of path system that makes you feel equivalent to you’re pedaling your complete time.
The lower Journal 7 trails are terribly technical and have enormous publicity in some areas. These should solely be ridden by very expert, assured riders. Mountain bikers have died on these trails.
To be completely clear, I’ve solely accomplished quite a lot of rides at Horsethief (along with the route I prefer to advocate beneath), so I’m not large accustomed to all of the paths proper right here.
Need to know for Horsethief/Journal 7
Planning your Horsethief/Journal 7 journey
10. Amasa Once more
Lastly, we have Amasa Once more, which is the place Captain Ahab and quite a lot of different completely different superior mountain bike trails are. This area is pretty iconic – it’s the place a wide range of the early Moab mountain bikers frolicked to journey slickrock once more inside the day.
Lately, most people head to Amasa Once more for Captain Ahab, nevertheless there are a variety of various trails and route decisions as correctly. It’s important to stage out, though, that these trails are for strong intermediates on the very least.
Need to know for Amasa Once more
Planning your Amasa Once more
Sample Moab Itineraries
There’s SO lots driving in Moab that it might be laborious to even know the place to start. Beneath are two powerful itineraries that may help you intend your journey. To ensure that you additional solutions and particulars, let’s chat over Zoom!
3-Day Intermediate Moab Itinerary
3-Day Superior Moab Itinerary
FAQs & Details about mountain biking in Moab
Q: When is the perfect time of 12 months to mountain bike in Moab?
The right time to plan a mountain bike journey to Moab is thru the shoulder seasons. April/May and September/October are prime for the perfect local weather and temperatures. Summers get brutally scorching and winters can be chilly and snowy.
Since there is a transient window of tolerable local weather, Moab does get terribly busy by the spring and fall months, though, so rely on to share the paths with a wide range of completely different mountain bikers and off-road ATVers.
To ensure that you a chance of avoiding the crowds, March and November can be good months to go to. Merely be prepared for some colder days and nights and maybe rain or snow.
Q: What’s the perfect bike retailer in Moab?
Q: Who can I e guide a mountain bike shuttle with in Moab?
There are a selection of shuttle companies in Moab that present mountain bike shuttles to three most vital trails and networks: [1] The Full Enchilada (Burro Go or Hazard County), [2] the Raptor Trails, and [3] Horsethief & Mag7.
I personally use Porcupine Shuttles, nevertheless Coyote Shuttles, Moab Cyclery, Poison Spider Bicycles, and Hazard Nation Shuttles are moreover good.
Q: Can I e guide a Moab mountain bike tour?
Yeah! To ensure that you a tour data to level out you spherical, Rim Excursions and Moab Cyclery every provide day and multi-day excursions spherical Moab.
Q: What are some good consuming locations in Moab for post-ride meals?
Moab is filled with some really good consuming locations. Listed below are quite a lot of of my favorites:
Moab Storage: That’s by far my favorite place to eat in Moab. They serve very good breakfasts and lunches they normally have all types of delicious and healthful(ish) points to pick from. Get a donut!!!!
98 Center: A Vietnamese restaurant serving real and enticing dishes
Sabaku Sushi: Surprisingly good sushi for the middle of the desert. As well as they’ve a nice outdoors patio inside the once more
Antica Forma: Good wood-fired pizza. The skin patio may be very good. This place can get busy, though!
Miguel’s Baja Grill: Pretty respectable Baja-style Mexican meals with giant servings
Moab Meals Truck Park: The one meals truck I’ve tried is the Quesadilla Mobilla which serves really good and hearty quesadillas. There are usually quite a lot of completely different meals vans spherical as correctly
The Trailhead Public House & Eatery: Good place to get a burger
Q: Are e-bikes allowed?
No, e-bikes mustn’t allowed on most trails in Moab. Please respect this. It’s not that the land use managers are being dicks, it’s because of numerous the paths spherical Moab have been constructed with funding that requires the paths to be for non-motorized use solely. And certain, e-bikes are (at current) thought-about motorized. They’ve a motor.
Q: How laborious are the mountain bike trails in Moab?
Moab is definitely not the perfect place for beginner mountain bikers or these new to technical terrain. There are lots of punchy climbs, troublesome rock gardens, and high-stakes publicity. Just a few of the networks, similar to the Moab Mannequin Trails and Klonzo, have entry-level decisions, nevertheless for in all probability essentially the most half, Moab is finest fitted to additional expert riders.
The place to stay
Moab tenting
Moab used to have a ton of areas for dispersed tenting, nevertheless in current instances land-use authorities have really cracked down on the place you probably can camp exterior of metropolis.
There are nonetheless quite a lot of areas the place you probably can camp with out value. Check out:
- Willow Springs Rd.
- Cotter Mine Rd.
- Klondike Bluffs
- Dubinky Successfully Rd.
The freeway circumstances can differ pretty extensively – a 4×4 car is helpful, nevertheless we have been able to get our 2WD low-clearance van into some spots.
Must you’re in the hunt for paid campgrounds, there are a number of decisions. Make certain to e guide ahead of time as Moab will get really busy by the height season and campgrounds refill fast.
Moab Motels & Leases
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There are a selection of resort decisions in Moab, a lot of them generic (assume La Quinta, Hampton Inn, Trip Inn, and so forth…)
Nonetheless when you want a a lot much less generic selection, listed below are quite a lot of cool resorts and leases to check out:
- Self-discipline Station Moab: This generally is a really cool resort that caters to adventurers. They’ve in-room bike storage, a gear retailer on site, a espresso retailer, and an train concierge. As well as they’ve van spots with hookups and all the amenities.
- Creekside Customer Cottage: You gained’t actually really feel equivalent to you’re inside the desert on this large cute cottage! It moreover comes with a scorching tub.
- Gonzo Inn: A satisfying and funky resort inside strolling distance of downtown. They’ve a motorbike wash station and protected bike storage.
- Moab Springs Ranch: A splurge, nevertheless would make for a terrific basecamp for quite a lot of days of driving!
- The Finca: A superb cute 3-bedroom residence inside strolling distance to downtown.
Study subsequent
In the hunt for additional good driving in Utah? Check out these related posts:
What questions do you proceed to have about mountain biking in Moab? Have you ever ever ridden there? What trails or routes do you advocate? Depart a comment beneath! And don’t neglect to acquire the 10 best mountain bike trails in Moab!
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This article provides a lot of useful information for planning a mountain biking trip to Moab. It’s great to see various trail recommendations and tips.
I appreciate the honest opinion about the current state of mountain biking in Moab. It seems like it’s becoming quite crowded, which is something to consider for future visits.
The detailed breakdown of trails and their difficulties is very helpful. It makes it easier for riders of different levels to choose where to go.
I found the comparison between Moab and other locations like Sedona interesting. It’s good to know that there are alternatives if one prefers less crowded trails.
This post really captures the essence of what to expect when biking in Moab. The insights about timing and weather are particularly useful for planning a trip.