25 of North America's Best Slickrock Slab MTB Rides

Slickrock riding isn't reserved solely for Moab—discover the best slab riding across North America in this guidebook!

Mountain Biking Difficult, Severe, Extreme

Also in Alberta, Canada • Arizona, United States of America • Colorado, United States of America • Michigan, United States of America • New Mexico, United States of America • North Carolina, United States of America • Utah, United States of America

Description

When sticky rubber tires meet gritty slabs of rock, magical traction casts a spell on your mountain bike, allowing it to traverse unbelievable terrain! Whether it’s pedaling straight up impossibly-steep climbs, ripping into skatepark-like bowls, traversing off-camber side slopes, or dropping down near-vertical slabs between towering tree trunks, slickrock slab riding is a much-coveted version of the mountain bike experience.

But you can’t find superb slickrock just anywhere, and thus the lust for rock ripping beats strongly in the hearts of mountain bikers around the globe. While Moab and the eponymous Slickrock trail reign supreme, it’s still possible to find slabs of rock to skid down all across North America.

In this guidebook, I attempted to uncover the best slab rock riding across the continent. While undoubtedly a few delightful gems are still flying under the radar, if you journey to any of these haunts you’re guaranteed a fabulous rip on challenging slabs of bedrock!

Routes included

Slickrock Trail

One of the original world-famous mountain bike trails, the unique slickrock slabs provide an otherworldly ride experience

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 16 km
Ascent: 388 m
Descent: 388 m

Captain Ahab

Captain Ahab combines the best new-school singletrack trail building techniques with Moab's famous views and challenging rocks for a classic mountain bike experience.

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 376 m
Descent: 376 m

The Ribbon -> Free Lunch -> Holy Cross Shuttle

One of the fastest, rowdiest, point-to-point shuttles anywhere, with wide-open rock slab riding, uber-technical rock gardens, and big jump and drop options--experts only!

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 18 km
Ascent: 255 m
Descent: 893 m

Rockstacker to Jackson's

If death-defying ledge drops, massive boulders, narrow singletrack on top of a thousand-foot cliff, and jaw-dropping views constitute your idea of fun, then Rockstacker to Jackson's is for you!

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 19 km
Ascent: 557 m
Descent: 557 m

Hangover

Extreme exposure coupled with brutally-technical rock moves make Hangover one of the most technical--and dangerous--trails in the nation.

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 13 km
Ascent: 375 m
Descent: 375 m

Hiline

Hiline offers stunning views of the Red Rocks region from exposed mountainside singletrack. Finish it off with a raucous descent down a black-diamond plunge!

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 329 m
Descent: 329 m

Navajo Rocks

Navajo Rocks embodies new school Moab mountain biking at its finest!

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 29 km
Ascent: 552 m
Descent: 552 m

Dupont State Forest Slickrock

Experience Dupont's famous slickrock balds in the most efficient way possible.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 12 km
Ascent: 377 m
Descent: 377 m

Magnificent 7

Ride some of the most technical and dangerous mountain bike trails in the world in one massive shuttle route!

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 45 km
Ascent: 686 m
Descent: 1.3 km

Vitamin B

One of the most brutally-technical and high-consequence mountain bike trails in Central Colorado.

Extreme Mountain Biking

Distance: 20 km
Ascent: 619 m
Descent: 619 m

Gooseberry Mesa: Classic Loop

Rippled slickrock riding paired with extreme exposure and beautiful views from the mesa's rim.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 17 km
Ascent: 257 m
Descent: 257 m

Flat Pass Shuttle

Flat Pass is an outstanding, genuine Moab mountain biking experience without Moab crowds.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 15 km
Ascent: 353 m
Descent: 558 m

Little Creek Mountain Double Loop

The Little Creek Mountain Double Loop offers 14 miles of mixed singletrack and slickrock with classic Southwest Utah scenery.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 21 km
Ascent: 328 m
Descent: 328 m

Guacamole Mesa: Full Outer Loop

This ride links together the outer loop Guacamole trails into a great 11-mile ride—perfect for upper intermediates—with plenty of advanced options as well.

Difficult Mountain Biking