Slickrock
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
Classic MTB Trails that Lure Riders Back Again and Again
Some of the oldest trails in the USA are still the best.
Mountain Biking Moderate, Difficult, Severe, Extreme
Also in Arizona, United States of America • California, United States of America • Colorado, United States of America • Georgia, United States of America • Nevada, United States of America • New Mexico, United States of America • North Carolina, United States of America • Oregon, United States of America • Utah, United States of America • Vermont, United States of America • Wisconsin, United States of America
Description
As the sport of mountain biking has matured over the years, the advent of purpose-built mountain bike trails and advances in trail design have led to new mountain bike trails that are better than ever before! Flow trails that are perfectly optimized for bikes offer a kinesthetic experience that’s guaranteed to trigger a two-wheeled flow state. And even the new school technical trails are better than ever before: drops with well-built landings, big jumps, burly rock gardens… purpose-built mountain bike trails don’t have to be easy!
Despite the advances in trail building, many of the original mountain bike trails that have been around for decades, or even before the mountain bike was invented, continue to lure riders back year after year. Some mountain bikers are still pedaling the same singletrack trails and slabs of slickrock that they were riding 40 years ago!
In this guidebook, you’ll find a wide selection of classic mountain bike trails across the United States that continue to bring riders back over and over again, for decades on end. Highlights on this list include the iconic Tsali loops in North Carolina, Slickrock in Moab, Demo Forest near Santa Cruz, the Flume Trail in Tahoe, Captain Jack’s in Colorado Springs, and so, so many more.
In many ways, the trails in this guidebook have helped shape the sport of mountain biking. From inspiring the first suspension fork, to defining what an “epic” ride is, these rides were foundational for our sport, and they still continue to deliver superb mountain biking experiences even today.
Think we missed a classic ride? Head to FATMAP’s Adventure Studio and upload it!
Routes included
Trail 401
Arguably the most beautiful trail in North America, with epic views of the Elk Range, Trail 401 is also one of the oldest and best-known trails in the world.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 737 m
- Descent
- 737 m
Zippety Do Da
Zippety Do Da provides the fast downhill bombs, swoop and flow, and visually-stunning ridgeline singletrack that put Fruita on the map.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 277 m
- Descent
- 278 m
Porcupine Rim
Porcupine Rim is a Moab classic in the true sense of the word. Mountain bikers have been braving Porcupine Rim's gnar since at least the 1980s.
Extreme Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 23 km
- Ascent
- 387 m
- Descent
- 953 m
Monarch Crest
This epic trail provides high alpine ridge top riding at treeline with views for hundreds of miles in all directions, finishing with a ripping descent down the mountain.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 59 km
- Ascent
- 1 km
- Descent
- 2.2 km
McKenzie River Trail
One of the most famous trails in Oregon, the singletrack is entertaining and the views are second to none!
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 37 km
- Ascent
- 380 m
- Descent
- 888 m
Bull Mountain
One of the original iconic mountain bike rides in the Southeastern US still ranks among the best!
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 27 km
- Ascent
- 860 m
- Descent
- 860 m
Tsali: Right and Left Loops
Enjoy sinuous, mostly-smooth singletrack along the shores of beautiful Fontana Lake in the longer of the two rides at Tsali.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 31 km
- Ascent
- 691 m
- Descent
- 691 m
Tsali: Mouse Branch and Thompson Loops
Sinuous, mostly-smooth singletrack along the shores of beautiful Fontana Lake.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 23 km
- Ascent
- 549 m
- Descent
- 549 m
Black Mountain Loop
The Black Mountain Trail defines mountain biking in Pisgah National Forest—gnarly, steep, and tons of fun!
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 791 m
- Descent
- 791 m
Downieville Downhill
A shuttle run of epic proportions, dropping thousands of feet from a mountain top down to a river bottom.
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 24 km
- Ascent
- 306 m
- Descent
- 1.6 km
Soquel Demonstration Forest
The longest single loop available in the Demo Forest.
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 781 m
- Descent
- 780 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
The Flume Trail
The historic Flume Trail, traversing high above the stunningly-beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 28 km
- Ascent
- 727 m
- Descent
- 510 m
Bear Creek Out-and-Back
A classic North Georgia singletrack ride along a rushing mountain stream.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 20 km
- Ascent
- 628 m
- Descent
- 628 m
Levis Mounds: Long Loop
Maximize your singletrack distance at Levis with this recommended long loop.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 23 km
- Ascent
- 424 m
- Descent
- 424 m
Captain Jack's Loop
One of the original classic mountain bike rides, Captain Jack's still delivers a rocking-good time!
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 22 km
- Ascent
- 757 m
- Descent
- 757 m
South Boundary Trail
The South Boundary Trail is New Mexico's favorite epic shuttle ride.
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 33 km
- Ascent
- 638 m
- Descent
- 1.5 km
Phil's World
A 25-mile winding, swooping beginner-friendly (but joy-inducing for all levels) chunk of high-desert terrain that will pin your grin from ear to ear.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 45 km
- Ascent
- 706 m
- Descent
- 706 m
Sweetwater Preserve Trail System
A classic, scenic desert mountain bike trail with challenging rock sections.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 207 m
- Descent
- 207 m
Fisher Creek Loop
A classic cross country ride with a fanatical following.
Moderate Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 28 km
- Ascent
- 630 m
- Descent
- 630 m
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
South Lake Tahoe's classic, technical MTB descent.
Severe Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 434 m
- Descent
- 833 m
Kingdom Trails: Eastern Loop
An introduction to the eastern half of the famous Kingdom Trail Network.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 29 km
- Ascent
- 861 m
- Descent
- 862 m
Thunder Mountain Loop
A classic mountain bike ride offering views of Bryce Canyon's iconic hoodoos.
Difficult Mountain Biking
- Distance
- 24 km
- Ascent
- 584 m
- Descent
- 584 m
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