There is nothing quite like the feeling of being out in nature, taking in the fresh air, and enjoying a challenging ride on your bike. If you are looking for some of the best adventurous rides in America, look no further. Here are some of our favorites:
1. The Cascades Loop, Oregon
This 55-mile loop is located in the Mt. Hood National Forest just east of Portland, Oregon. The route includes views of waterfalls and rushing rivers, mountain meadows with wildflowers in the spring, old-growth forests teeming with wildlife, and plenty of opportunities to see birds and other forest creatures.
There are multiple trailheads on which to begin the ride, and most of the route is along Forest Service roads which are well maintained and easy to ride.
2. The White Rim Trail, Utah
This 100-mile trail circles the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape, with dramatic canyon walls and rugged plateaus.
You’ll pass through a variety of terrains as you ride, from red rock desert to deep sand washes and towering mesas. Be sure to plan your trip around a new moon since the area is extremely remote and cell phone service is nonexistent.
3. The Chilkoot Trail, Alaska
This 33-mile trail runs alongside the Taiya River in Southeast Alaska. It’s located 45 miles north of Haines, one of the northernmost towns in North America. The trail follows a route used by gold prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Many visitors ride mountain bikes from Lake Bennett to Dyea on the famous Chilkoot Trail, but some cyclists prefer riding from Dyea to Lake Bennett on their road bikes. Either way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of glaciers, emerald green lakes, and snow-capped mountains as you make your way along the trail.
4. The Arizona Trail, Arizona
This 800-mile long trail stretches from the Mexican border all the way to Utah, crossing deserts, canyons, and forests along the way. It’s a popular trail for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, and passes through some of the most scenic areas of Arizona.
The trail is well marked and easy to follow, with plenty of opportunities to take camping, fishing, and sightseeing day trips along the way.
5. The White Pine Trail, Utah
This 40-mile trail runs through Sevier Canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park. It follows an old railroad route built by Mormon settlers in the 1880s to haul lumber from the forested mountains to their new settlement at Parowan.
The trail is a great option for mountain bikers looking for a challenging ride with plenty of elevation changes. It’s also one of the few trails in the area that is open to hikers, so you can enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace.
No matter what your cycling level or experience is, there’s sure to be an adventurous ride in America that’s perfect for you. Whether you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly trail to take the kids on, or a more challenging route to test your biking skills, you’ll find it here.