5 Best Moab Intermediate Mountain Bike Trails

5 Best Moab Mountain Bike Trails

Taking a trip to Moab to experience its world-renowned mountain bike trails?  TripOutside has done the research for you!  Below are the top 5 intermediate bike trails in the Moab area, as rated by MTBProject.com.  These trails range from short jaunts to multi-day trips, with scenery varying from red rock towers to cliffs, canyons and mesas. If you need to rent a bike for your adventure, compare bike rental prices and book a bike online at TripOutside.com.  Read on to find out more!

1) White Rim Trail

This trail is the #1 rated trail in Moab with a 4.6 rating by 56 users.  It is a popular long-distance route located in Canyonlands National Park.  The 100.7-mile doubletrack trail winds through dramatic scenery in the northern Island Mesa section of the Park.  Canyonlands is very remote, and this trail is definitely an intermediate/advanced ride for a few reasons.
1) There are no services outside of the Sky Visitor Center, so riders must bring along all food, water, fuel and other gear needed for the multi-day ride.
2) It’s typically completed over 3-5 days with 4wd support and backcountry camping (permit required: http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountrypermits.htm).
3) The route can be done in either direction, and includes a long, steep 5900-foot rim descent and a similar climb back up the rim at the end.

2) Navajo Rocks Chaco Loop

Navajo Rocks Chaco Loop has a 4.5 rating by 226 users.  This trail system is an easy 25-minute (20 mile) drive from Moab along highway 191 turning West on highway 313.  The Chaco loop is 17.4 miles of flowy singletrack with lots of short climbs and descents but nothing crazy.  It’s a great intermediate trail, and can be cut short with a few other connector trails.  There are some technical sections, which are easily walkable for beginners and great fun for intermediate riders.  The scenery can’t be beat – you will be surrounded by the famous Moab red rock for much of the ride.  Don’t forget to bring tons of water, you will need more than you think!

3) Jug Handle Loop

Jug Handle Loop has a 4.3 rating by 8 users.  It starts about 18 miles outside of downtown Moab on Long Canyon Road.  The loop is 37.5 miles with a huge climb offset by a long downhill.  The main draw of this trail is the incredible scenery – part of the ride is in Canyonlands National Park so make sure you follow their use regulations.  The ride consists of singletrack, dirt roads and a section of highway.  The main feature of this ride is the scenery, which includes awe-inspiring views of the Colorado river gooseneck at Thelma & Louise point.  The route follows Shafer trail within the Park, and climbs up a series of switchbacks to the mesa top.

4) Klondike Bluff Outer Loop

Klondike Bluff Outer loop has a 4.2 rating by 71 users. This trail system is 20 miles north of Moab, and includes 58 miles of trails.  The outer loop combines the best intermediate trails into 14.6 miles of mostly fast flowing singletrack.  Some small climbs along the way add up to about 1200 feet of climbing, and there are very few sections that solid intermediate riders will have any problems riding.  The main draw of this ride is the slickrock riding Moab is well-loved for.

5) Bar M Loops

Bar M loops has a 4.0 rating by 57 users.  The Bar M trail system is the closest one to Moab, at only 11 miles out of town.  Bar M loops features 10.8 miles of singletrack with very little climbing but lots of fantastic slickrock riding.  The slickrock can be bumpy, so be prepared – you can compare rental prices and rent a full suspension bike online easily with TripOutside.com.  The Bar M system has 40 miles of trails for all levels of riders, so you can easily add on more for a longer day in the saddle.
Whichever trail you choose, Moab trail systems will not disappoint.  Enjoy your ride!