Moab’s reputation as the mountain biking capital of the world didn’t happen by accident. This southeastern Utah desert playground serves up everything from mellow cruisers to technical challenges that’ll push your skills, all surrounded by red rock formations so stunning you might forget you’re supposed to be pedaling.
Whether you’re hunting for slickrock challenges or scenic canyon rides, Moab’s got experiences you simply won’t find elsewhere. What really makes Moab special? The sheer variety.
You could start your day on beginner paths, then gradually work up to legendary trails that have humbled riders since mountain biking was young. Here is a list of 18 incredible mountain biking trails showcasing the absolute best of what Moab delivers.
Slickrock Trail
This 10.5-mile loop isn’t just famous — it’s practically Moab royalty, pulling in riders from every corner of the globe who need to experience its legendary sandstone playground. Following painted white dashes across enormous rock formations, the trail creates this wild roller coaster effect that’ll test your technical skills while thrilling you to the core.
Figure on about four hours to complete it, though you’ll probably spend extra time just staring at those Colorado River and La Sal Mountain views.
Porcupine Rim
Starting way up in the La Sal Mountains before plunging 2,800 feet down to the Colorado River, Porcupine Rim packs 15 miles of terrain that transforms dramatically with every thousand feet you descend. Up high, you’re winding through aspen groves and alpine meadows — yet the lower sections deliver technical singletrack with exposure that’ll definitely wake you up.
Ask any local about scenic trails, and they’ll probably mention this one first, particularly when those aspens go golden in the fall.
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The Whole Enchilada
When Moab riders discuss epic adventures, The Whole Enchilada dominates the conversation with its mind-blowing 26-mile descent from alpine peaks to desert floor. This beast actually strings together multiple trails into one mega-ride, beginning above 11,000 feet before dropping you at the Colorado River.
Seven different ecosystems flash by during the descent — from alpine meadows to red rock desert — making it feel like you’ve crammed a week’s worth of riding into one spectacular day.
Captain Ahab
Like its literary namesake’s obsession with the white whale, this 5.5-mile trail will have you equally fixated on conquering its relentless technical challenges. Tight switchbacks mix with rocky ledges while serious exposure keeps you laser-focused on your line.
Still, Captain Ahab pays you back generously — those Colorado River canyon views are worth every white-knuckle moment, plus it connects smoothly with neighboring trails for extended adventures.
Magnificent 7
Near the Gemini Bridges area, this 26-mile trail network truly offers something for every rider, with seven interconnected trails spanning beginner to advanced difficulty. The beauty lies in customization — pick easier routes for a mellow day or link the gnarly sections when you’re feeling bold.
Classic Moab terrain surrounds you throughout: slickrock passages, sandy washes, and those iconic views of Monitor and Merrimac Buttes rising from the desert floor.
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Klondike Bluffs
While famous trails grab the spotlight, Klondike Bluffs quietly delivers 18 miles of intermediate riding through genuine dinosaur track territory. Smooth singletrack alternates with technical rock gardens — all while Arches National Park hovers on the horizon like a postcard.
Come spring, wildflowers explode across the landscape, splashing unexpected color across all that red rock.
Dead Horse Point Singletrack
A newer addition to Moab’s lineup, these 17 miles of purpose-built singletrack flow like liquid through high desert terrain. Here’s where fun trumps punishment — bermed turns, manageable grades, and optional technical features let riders dial in their preferred difficulty level.
Being next door to Dead Horse Point State Park means you can easily combine riding with visiting one of the Southwest’s most photographed overlooks.
Amasa Back
Amasa Back throws down 5.5 miles of technical slickrock riding with a healthy dose of exposure along Jackson Hole’s rim — enough to make your palms sweat even with gloves on. Confident bike handling isn’t optional here, especially when approaching that final viewpoint above the Colorado River.
Lots of riders connect Amasa with Captain Ahab or nearby trails, creating full-day epics.
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Pipe Dream
True to its name, Pipe Dream feels like someone reached into mountain bikers’ dreams and built the perfect 6-mile flow trail. Berms appear exactly where you want them, jumps pop up just when you’re ready — the whole thing maintains this perfect rhythm that keeps the grin locked on your face.
Its location near Dead Horse Point makes combining it with other area trails a no-brainer.
Navajo Rocks
For intermediate riders wanting to experience Moab’s famous slickrock without the intimidation factor of bigger-name trails, this 13-mile loop system hits the sweet spot. Three stacked loops gradually ramp up the difficulty — bail early if you’re done, or keep going if you’re hungry for more.
Those La Sal Mountain views certainly don’t hurt, making every section worthwhile regardless of how far you ride.
Kokopelli Trail
Spanning 142 miles from Moab to Fruita, Colorado, the Kokopelli represents one of North America’s premier multi-day mountain biking journeys. Since completing the whole thing requires serious commitment, most folks tackle individual sections instead.
The Moab portions showcase spectacular riding through Castle Valley and alongside the Colorado River, mixing jeep roads with singletrack while throwing in technical sections that highlight the region’s geological diversity.
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Poison Spider Mesa
The name sounds threatening, yet this 8-mile loop actually delivers some of the area’s most rewarding riding, both scenically and technically. A steady climb brings you to the mesa top, where rock sections and ledges demand your full attention even as panoramic views try to steal it away.
That famous Portal Trail viewpoint provides the perfect excuse for a breather, though you’ll probably need several photo stops anyway.
7-Up and Bull Run
This under-the-radar gem combines two trails into approximately 12 miles of terrain that many visitors completely miss. Launching from Gemini Bridges parking, you’ll find smooth singletrack mixing with technical rock challenges, plus enough climbing to make those descents feel properly earned.
Fewer crowds than the famous trails mean more solitude, making this ideal when you’re craving a quieter ride.
Hymasa
Built specifically for mountain bikes, Hymasa bridges Captain Ahab and Amasa Back with 3 miles of purpose-built singletrack. Flow sections blend with technical rock features while Colorado River views dominate the scenery.
Combining all three trails — the Ahab-Hymasa-Amasa loop — creates one of those days you’ll be talking about for years.
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Courthouse Loop
Beginning riders get their taste of Moab’s beauty on this gentle 5.5-mile loop, which skips the technical drama in favor of scenic cruising. Old jeep roads guide you through picturesque canyons past Courthouse Rock and other impressive formations.
It’s perfect for families or anyone wanting to soak up red rock scenery without the adrenaline rush.
Monitor and Merrimac
These twin buttes — named for Civil War ironclad warships — anchor a 13-mile loop combining easy riding with fascinating geology. Mostly smooth jeep roads circle both formations, though optional detours lead to Indigenous petroglyphs and real dinosaur tracks.
This trail proves Moab doesn’t reserve its best scenery for expert riders only.
Bar M Loop
North of town, the Bar M Loop system provides 8 miles of easy-to-moderate trails focusing on flow over technical challenge. Gentle climbs lead to smooth descents that build confidence rather than testing it.
Practice loops and skills features make this area ideal for warm-ups or introducing newcomers to the sport.
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Brand Trails
Rounding out our list, these 15 miles of trails see heavy local traffic for good reason — variety and convenience. The network serves up everything from casual cruisers to technical tests, all accessible from multiple trailheads near town.
Whether you’ve got two hours or all day, the Brand Trails deliver quality riding without the long drive to distant trailheads.
Where Desert Dreams Meet Two Wheels
These 18 trails barely scratch the surface of Moab’s mountain biking universe, yet they perfectly capture the diversity that transforms this desert town into a rider’s paradise. From Slickrock Trail’s iconic sandstone to The Whole Enchilada’s alpine-to-desert odyssey, each path carves its own narrative through rock, sand, and breathtaking vistas.
Contemporary trail design has brought flow-focused options like Pipe Dream into the mix, complementing classic technical tests while ensuring Moab keeps evolving without forgetting its heritage. First visit or fiftieth, these trails guarantee the kind of adventures that’ll have you booking next year’s trip before this one ends.
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