Slickrock, Moab, UT

It started out in 1969 as a motorcycle trail. Now it is one of the most famous spots for mountain biking in the world. And rightly so. It is unlike any other spot, for the heavily eroded sandstone provides a riding surface that is unique in so many ways: your tires grip, there's relatively no slipping, and you can traverse across slopes on a bike which would be otherwise impassable, even on foot.



Although the main SlickRock loop covers only 9.6 miles, the length belies the challenge of the trail. With all the changes in elevation, the varied sloping terrain, the occasional sandpits and dropping rock faces, the 9.6 miles can easily take 4-5 hours to complete. The trail is very strenuous and challenging, but well worth the effort. There is a 1.7 mile practice loop for riders to test their ability and comfort with the terrain before getting too far out into the wilds. Everyone we ran into on the trail was incredibly friendly, and we were pleasantly surprised to find all sense of attitude missing. Unlike famous surf spots, the folks who expertly maneuvered this trail were totally welcoming to newbies and the less-experienced. Hence, there is no shame in walking your bike over areas which would be unsafe for your skill level.



It costs $5 per vehicle for a three-day pass to the area, which includes eight campgrounds (some right along the banks of the Colorado) and many other bike, motorcycle and jeep trails. And while Slickrock is by far the most famous of the bike trails, the entire Moab area is peppered with incredible riding, of all different levels and types of terrain. For downhill enthusiasts, there is even a chair lift to the top of one mesa, and another currently being erected on the north side of town. The guys at the bike shops are totally knowledgable and helpful, and you can pick up a map to explore with before you hit the trails.