There are some stateside mountain bike destinations that simply stand above the rest.
Moab, Crested Butte, Park City—these are all famed for their gnarly singletrack. But they can get clogged up by local and visiting cyclists. It’s the difference between waiting in line at an amusement park, and flying full-throttle on the ride of your life.
So if you’re looking to move off the beaten path, these are the lesser-known U.S. destinations with noteworthy trails. Happy riding.
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Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
Midwesterners don’t have to go far to get their thrills. The Copper Harbor Trail System in the northern peninsula of Michigan is another IMBA-designated, silver-level ride center, and it has over 35 miles of trails you can easily hop on and off of throughout town. While about 10 percent are rated as “easy” singletracks, nearly 75 percent are intermediate, with the rest falling into the advanced and expert categories. On The Flow (aptly named because it was the OG flow path in the area), you’ll wind down three miles and 550 vertical feet on the north slope of Brockway Mountain, all while traversing over rollers and bermed turns that keep you light on your feet. Overflow is for gutsy riders only, as it’s arguably the most technically difficult downhill run in the Midwest. But the challenge is worth it, as the trail also has one of the most photogenic features—the Overflow Gap Jump—that has you literally jumping over the Flow Trail. Most of the routes have high-point vistas above Lake Superior, so don’t forget to stop and enjoy the view.
Windham, New York
If your knobby tires haven’t touched ground in the Catskill Mountains, now’s the time. This area, which is only a few hours north of New York City, has more than 120 miles of trails to play on—and Windham Mountain Bike Park is home to one of the longest jump trails on the east coast. (There’s also a double-diamond UCI World Cup downhill pro course.) Start your day on the “FUN Loops” of the Elm Ridge Trail System, as that’s where you’ll find some of the least difficult riding with gentle climbs and smooth(ish) trails. From there you can follow Trail #6 and the Escarpment Trail to tackle some switchbacks and slightly more challenging dirt before taking the Levitate Trail to the top of the ridge. If you’re feeling daredevilish, forget riding along the ridge and drop down one of the various heart-pounding descents, with options to try your hand at jumps and kicks along the way. Before you leave, be sure to hit the newest trail on the ridge, Gold Mine, as you’ll feel like a total badass once you master the stonework section that’s full of extra rollers, jumps, and drops.
Oahu, Hawaii
Most people think of beaches and water sports when dreaming about Hawaii, but a visit to the third largest Hawaiian island can also score you some pretty sweet singletrack rides. Most locals flock to the windward side of the island, right at the base of the Ko’olau mountains. There you’ll find the 10-mile, intermediate-to-advanced Maunawili Trail that has tons of narrow, winding curves. Maunawili translates to “twisted mountain,” after all. It runs along the base of towering cliffs, offering epic rainforest, waterfall, and ocean views. (Trailhead access can be found in Waimanalo and Hairpin along the Pali Highway, and Bike Hawaii offers guided services and rental equipment.) Another solid option is the 4-mile Ohana Trail, which was machine-built and specifically designed for beginner to intermediate mountain biking. It’s a bit wider than the Maunawili Trail so it’s less nerve-wracking to navigate, but the downhill switchbacks will get your heart pumping plenty.
Roanoke, Virginia
If you’re itching for a multi-day MTB vacation, book your next trip to this section of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The area has a silver-level ride center designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), the only one on the east coast with the honor (and one of only 15 in the world). The distinction comes partly because of the abundance of trails—there are over 300 miles within an hour of downtown Roanoke, all of varying experience levels. To warm up, visit the new Wasena Park Pump Track, then get familiar with the 10 miles of singletrack at Mill Mountain Park. Then there’s Carvins Cove, a popular riding spot thanks to its 60 miles of mostly intermediate and advanced trail. Backcountry riders shouldn’t leave without hitting up George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, where there’s a ton of fire road (wide, dirt roads that are used for access in case there’s a bushfire) and locals cruising over Terrapin Mountain.
Mountain towns make some of the best trails, and this village near Aspen, CO, is no exception. There are over 80 miles of downhill, cross-country, and singletrack trails; nearly 4,500 vertical feet to play with; and manmade obstacles like jumps, wooden features, and drops to master. Snowmass Bike Park also has chair lifts that offer direct access to it all, and pro instructors are available for anyone who needs an intro or refresher course. Newbies can sign up for the three-hour Park Ready Downhill Bike Clinic ($50; rental and lift access sold separately) to learn the ABCs of the sport—Active Stance, Braking, and Cornering—on the skills park before going up to the real fun stuff. Otherwise, popular routes include the Snowmass Loop, which contains 28 miles and 4,408 feet of vertical singletrack over 10 different trails. Locals also gravitate toward the 3.7-mile Tom Blakesingletrack for its smooth (and fast) ride through the Aspen groves.
Medora, North Dakota
It may be a tiny town that’s home to less than 150 people year-round, but Medora also happens to have the Maah Daah Hey Trail—one of the longest singletrack trails in the U.S.—running right through it. It starts about 30 miles south of town and stretches 144 miles through the state’s Badlands territory, ending in Waterford City. Along the way you can expect plenty of tough climbs up the bentonite buttes, steep descents through the valleys, and you’ll even cross paths with the Little Missouri River in two spots. If you take on the entire trail, there are 11 developed campgrounds for when you need a rest. (You’ll get the best experience spreading this one over multiple days.) If not, there are 16 trailheads with connecting access, so you can join in and jump off wherever you want. Just keep an eye out for wildlife when you’re in the saddle: Plenty have reported sightings of antelope, bighorn sheep, and bison, especially once you cross into Theodore Roosevelt National Park territory.
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