Did you know there are nearly 9 Million self-identified mountain bikers in the United States?
If pedaling through rocking terrains and cutting through canyons is what you daydream about, Arizona is one of the best cities in the nation to make your passion part of your daily lifestyle.
When it comes to outdoor recreation in the West, Scottsdale is small but mighty when compared to other outdoors-loving metros in the region like Salt Lake City and Denver.
Here are some of the best biking trails in Scottsdale!
The Brown’s Ranch Perimeter Loop
This is one of Scottsdale’s most popular routes for mountain bikers. Its minimal elevation gain and relatively flat terrain make it an easy to intermediate trek for bikers. This route offers beautiful desert vista views, and points of interest like Balanced Rock and an Amphitheater.
This route connects with many different trails in the McDowell Mountain system, like the Upper Ranch Trail, The Divide Trail the Soapberry Wash Trail, Granite Mountain, and Cholla mountain loops. But it’s really not as complicated as it sounds. MTB Project has an excellent map and route directions.
Hawes Trail Network
This trail is a cross-country rider’s dream! This trail system is managed by the Tonto National Forest and is located on the southeaster border of Scottsdale in Mesa. This trek offers a lot of exciting turns, it’s recommended to wear clothing that covers your legs, incase any of the native cacti reach out to say hello!
This is an incredibly scenic route with views of the McDowell Mountains, the Four Peaks, and the Salt River. There are opportunities to connect to more trail systems to the north and east. Get the route from the MTB Project.
Sonoran Desert Loop
While it’s not technical, this ride is still engaging with its fair share of hills, twists, and sights. Bikers will share the trail with hikers, horses, and dogs, so it’s important to stay alert on this trail. The trail covers about 14 miles of the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, which acts as a gateway from the suburban dwellings of the Valley to the expanse of the Sonoran Desert. Check out the MTB Project for a map and trail directions.
Indian Bend Wash Path/Scottsdale Green Belt
Sometimes the people watching in south Scottsdale can be just as entertaining as the wildlife of the desert. The Indian Bend Wash Path is a 11-mile section of the Scottsdale Green Belt, that cuts through many green parks and offers views of public art like the Water Mark horse sculptures at McCormick Ranch. At its south end, this path connects to the Rio Salado Pathway which leads to Tempe, the Arizona Canal Path which leads west to Phoenix, and the Central Arizona Project to Arizona Canal Trail, which leads bikers further north into Scottsdale.
Are you looking for a new home in a city that loves the outdoors as much as you do? You’ve come to the right place! Work with a real estate agency that really knows Scottsdale, click here to get to know us!