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Top 9 Mountain Biking Trails in Arizona

With dramatic landscapes, varied terrain, and remote regions to explore, Arizona is a haven for mountain bikers. There are rugged and technical trails for experienced bikers, as well as easy trails that let beginners get some exercise and enjoy the scenery. These are the most epic mountain biking trails in Arizona to check out for yourself!

Hangover Trail, Sedona Hangover Trail, Sedona
Credit: Hangover Trail, Sedona by rockychrysler via Flickr

Hangover Trail, Sedona

Sedona is an absolutely beautiful place for hiking and mountain biking, but this trail should only be attempted by experienced riders who are willing to take on some risk. There are lots of mountain biking trails in the Sedona area, but the Hangover Trail is definitely one of the more unique ones. That’s because you’ll ride up to a saddle between two sections of red rock, ride along the narrow edge of a canyon, and travel on a steep cliff that’s a couple of feet above the canyon floor. Although the singletrack trail is only about 3.2 miles long, it is very intense. Most of this trail is on slick rock, but it’s the exposed rock on the edge of a cliff that really requires you to be comfortable on a bike…and with heights!

50-Year Trail/Golder Ranch, Tucson 50-Year Trail/Golder Ranch, Tucson
Credit: 50-Year Trail/Golder Ranch, Tucson by Dougit Design via Flickr

50-Year Trail/Golder Ranch, Tucson

The Tucson area also has some excellent mountain biking opportunities, especially if you head over to the 50-Year Trail/Golder Ranch area. This is probably the best trail that this region has to offer because it has something for everyone. Beginners, intermediate riders, and advanced riders can all find something to enjoy and challenge themselves on this route. If you are just visiting the area, you can also stop by a local bike shop for a rental bike and get dropped off and picked up at the trail. Keep an eye out for sandy spots, snakes on night rides, and unexpected ruts. The trail is sometimes compared to the Honeybee Canyon Trail, but a more technical version of it.

Schultz Creek Trail, Flagstaff mountain biking
Credit: mountain biking by Sergey Mironov/shutterstock.com

Schultz Creek Trail, Flagstaff

The Schultz Creek Trail near Flagstaff extends for about 4.2 miles and is a popular ride to get to Schultz Pass. You’ll start the ride at the bottom of Schultz Pass Road and head up the valley on a steady climb. Here you’ll pass by Schultz Creek that’s lined with pine and fir trees. Not only is this a popular mountain biking route, but hikers and dog walkers love it too. Keep an eye out for others during peak weekend times.

Honeybee Canyon Loop, Oro Valley Honeybee Canyon Loop, Oro Valley
Credit: Honeybee Canyon Loop, Oro Valley by mtbproject.com

Honeybee Canyon Loop, Oro Valley

Honeybee Canyon Loop is also in the Tucson area and is a 16.8-mile single track trail that’s easy but requires some endurance. The best place to park to access this trail is along Oracle Road, where there’s a gravel and dirt parking lot. You’ll enjoy the smooth terrain of hard-packed dirt on this trail and minimal uphill sections. Then at the end of the loop, the downhill section back to the starting point is fast and smooth.

Black Canyon Trail, Phoenix Black Canyon Trail, Phoenix
Credit: Black Canyon Trail, Phoenix by Bureau of Land Management via Flickr

Black Canyon Trail, Phoenix

One great mountain biking route near Phoenix is the Black Canyon Trail, and one recommended route starts at the Table Mesa Trailhead. This route goes on the Black Canyon Trail to the Little Pan Loop and is part of a 62-mile trail system. The singletrack trail is recommended for advanced riders, and it’s a smart idea to carry a GPS or map to navigate the many branch trails that lead off of the main route. There are some long downhill sections on desert terrain, but be aware of the cacti that are pretty impossible to avoid. You can also start your journey at the Black Canyon City Trailhead near the Rock Springs Exit I-17 and go north or south from this point.

Sonoran Desert Loop, Cave Creek Sonoran Desert Loop, Cave Creek
Credit: Sonoran Desert Loop, Cave Creek by mtbproject.com

Sonoran Desert Loop, Cave Creek

As part of the Phoenix Sonoran Desert Preserve, this 13.1 mountain biking trail is very balanced but not super technical. Start your ride at the Apache Wash Trailhead in the north section of the preserve, and be aware that this is a multi-use trail that’s also popular with hikers and horseback riders. Bikers of any skill level will enjoy this ride, but your legs will likely be burning from the climbing sections.

Hawes Trail Network, Mesa Hawes Trail Network, Mesa
Credit: Hawes Trail Network, Mesa by mtbproject.com

Hawes Trail Network, Mesa

The Hawes Trail Network is part of the Sonoran Desert Trail System and extends about 11.2 miles that is mostly singletrack. This is a very scenic ride that isn’t too rocky; however, there are a lot of cacti to watch out for. There are also lots of fun twists and turns here. Something else interesting about this ride is that part of this network at the Saguaro Trail passes by some abandoned mines. The trail is well-marked with signs, and lots of bikers park behind the Walgreens store at Power and Recker to access it.

Cathedral Rock Big Loop, Oak Creek Cathedral Rock Big Loop, Oak Creek
Credit: Cathedral Rock Big Loop, Oak Creek by mtbproject.com

Cathedral Rock Big Loop, Oak Creek

The Cathedral Rock Big Loop is an awesome ride for intermediate and advanced riders who want to experience beautiful scenery. You’ll start your ride at the Bell Rock Vista trailhead. Beginners may need to walk their bikes for a few sections, but intermediate riders will love the twisting red dirt and rocky areas.  The loop travels along the Slim Shady Trail and the Templeton Trail, and the descent from Cathedral Rock is the hardest part. Towards the end, you’ll ride along Oak Creek, hit the Baldwin Loop, and end up back on Templeton. Be mindful of the fact that the Cathedral Rock Trail is open to hikers and that this mountain biking loop crosses it. Keep an eye out for inexperienced hikers, in particular, and slow down a bit at the crossing point.

Pemberton Loop, Scottsdale Pemberton Loop, Scottsdale
Credit: Pemberton Loop, Scottsdale by mtbproject.com

Pemberton Loop, Scottsdale

While many of the trails here are only suitable for intermediate and advanced riders, here’s a great one for beginners. The Pemberton Loop singletrack look extends 15 miles, and there are many different places you can start it. For a shorter ride, you can even cut the loop off by several miles by taking the Bluff Trail or Tonto Tank Trail. The desert trail is wide and fast, and there are spur trails you can take to make it longer. There are no huge climbs or descents on this minimally technical ride that’s very fun. This is also a good beginner trail because it’s well-marked with signs. Riders should know there is a wild horse population nearby, so you may encounter horses on the trail.

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