Mountain biking is a trendy sport in America. It is not only good for our health, but it also drives a passion for exploring and facing new and exciting challenges. As an avid fan of mountain biking, experiencing the best mountain bike trail is one of the best fulfillment feelings.
Indeed, there is no shortage of the best mountain bike trails in the United States. And narrowing it down to the top five trails is quite a challenging task. That is why we also asked the pros and researched which are the best in North America.
Best US Mountain Bike Trails
1. MOAB Brand Trails – Slickrock Bike Trail
When speaking of the oldest bike mountain destinations globally, it is a no-brainer that Moab will be mentioned. Moab is not called the mountain bike capital of the United States for nothing, and here is why.
Moab is composed of different trails that have existed for decades. It has something to offer to mountain bikers of varying skill sets and mountain biking disciplines.
Moab has a place for everybody: road bikers, cross-country, enduro, downhill, and even fat bikes. It is the trails in Moab that placed the region on the map.
The most famous Moab trail system is the Slickrock Bike Trail. It undulates like a serpent throughout the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Motorcyclists initially crafted it, but now the area is dominated by skilled mountain bikers.
When on this 10,5-mile trail, set a timeline of about five hours with a bit of walking.
2. Mills Peak Downieville, California
California is not only the birthplace of mountain biking. It also has one of the best trails in the world. Due to the state being so big, narrowing down the best trails in the area is quite a daunting task. But if we were opting to pick one, then it would be Mills Peak in Downieville.
The famous Downieville downhill event usually gets all the attention, but the truth is, Mills Peak is a hidden gem on its own. In Mills Peak, you can drop to over 3,000 feet and flow around fragrant pine trees with around 14 kilometers of bermed turns. Take note, bermed turns.
Mills Peak was made with the mountain bikers in its very core. It is because of trails like this that mountain bikers do what they do.
3. Tahoe Rim Trail
There’s a saying that good skiers make good mountain bikers. Well, they do have the same dynamics except for the equipment. And this saying is particularly true for their common playground.
The best ski slopes also make the best mountain bike trails during the summer. In general, Lake Tahoe is known as a premier mountain biking destination with its endless trail developments. The Tahoe Rim Trail is the most famous in the area. It is the main reason why mountain bikers choose to visit the area. (Read 5 Best Moab Mountain Bike Trails)
The Tahoe Rim Trail is part of a 165-mile loop covering six counties in California and Nevada. This trail takes riders on an epic journey across different stunning sceneries.
4. South Boundary Trail in Taos, New Mexico
South Boundary offers scenic New Mexico classic high-alpine riding with loads of flow. It passes through a variety of terrain conditions, from meadows to groves and rocky shale.
It is a mountainside single track that rolls every few miles. The trail loses most of its height around the last five miles. The steepest and most technical descents would be thrown at the riders in the previous 3 miles. This is known as the El Nogal section.
For those who opt for a more mellow route, you can turn south and find the Ojitos Trail. It is longer but is a more flowy descent to the main highway.
5. Osberg Ridgeline Trail, Sun Valley, Idaho
The ORT is a fantastic alpine trail located in Idaho. It begins with a shuttle ride towards the end of Baker Creek Road.
The trail rolls a lot, consisting of trail climbs and flowy descents. The uphills aren’t as punchy since you are also losing elevation in the process. The trail is generally a pleasure to ride on and is well designed. (Find the Best Mountain Bike Handlebar Grips)
It intersects with another famous trail, the Adams Rib Trail when you get to Osberg’s east end area. The advantage of the Osberg Ridgeline Trail is that it does not punish the riders with endless climbs, the same as the other trails in the Sun Valley Area.
The trail follows a ridge system letting you pop out of both sides from time to time. It also has show-stopping views, which makes the overall riding experience pleasurably scenic.
Conclusion
Trail biking is the most satisfying experience when you are a mountain biking enthusiast. It is not all about the thrill of the ride coupled with the pleasurable rush of adrenaline but, it is also about exploring and enjoying the view that the trail has to offer.
Most of these trails are not places to practice your skills. If you want to get into this activity, there are many affordably good beginner mountain bikes. And if you find the trails on the list quite far, I would search for the best mountain bike trails near me online.
Before going on these mountain biking trips, always make sure that your bike is well maintained. Having the best bicycle maintenance stand would always come in handy. Maintaining your bike while it is fastened on the stand makes it a whole lot easier for you.
