Phoenix is known for a lot of things β hiking, the Desert Botanical Gardens, snowbird-ing, winter sunshine, etcβ¦ β but the mountain bike scene is still a bit under the radar. There are literally hundreds of miles of desert singletrack to explore and while some of that terrain is best left to the hikers and equestrians, there is still plenty of amazing mountain biking to be had. Just looking for the best of the best mountain bike trails? Here are my top singletrack trail recommendations around Phoenix.
Ready to ride or plan your Phoenix mountain biking getaway? Here are the best trail networks around the city for singletrack fun. Note: I use TrailForks for my recommended routes. If you are a mountain biker and ride places outside your home trails, you should have TrailForks on your phone.
Hawes is hands-down my favorite place to mountain bike in Phoenix. It has the best trails, the best views, the best social vibe, and the best variety for all levels of riders. The lower trails are great for beginners and families while the trails higher up on the ridge line will test intermediates Red Mountain Rush is a must! Heading out to explore Hawes? Use my complete guide to mountain biking Hawes for more tips on how to make the most of your visit. Plus, there are almost endless opportunities to put together a great ride.
Click the link below to set up a trip-planning session. Want to check out the riding at McDowell? National is famous for its tough climb, awesome downhill, and tons of natural features like drops, chutes, rock gardens, and rollers.
Desert Classic is the complete opposite. The other trails on South Mountain are hit-or-miss. Some are hike-a-bikes like Telegraph Pass and others are sand pits like Pima Wash. Want to try your hand on National? Learn what to expect and tips for making your ride at South Mountain a success with my Guide to Riding National Trail. The first time I rode Gold Canyon I hated it. But then it started to grow on me. Some are best left for the horses and hikers. It weaves in and out of a wash kind of like a slalom course.
