The Moab mountain biking scene in southeast Utah, is often referred to in pilgrimage terms. However, maybe "Mecca" doesn't quite cut it, as this area is definitely a place to visit much more regularly than once or twice in a lifetime!

You will find an overwhelming number of possibilities for tours, outings and trips. A thorough search on the Internet is necessary, before deciding what area of Moab mountain biking you want to concentrate on.

An important aspect of your research and planning is to make sure what level of experience is needed on the Moab mountain biking trips you plan to do. Not everyone will be comfortable with the technical challenges some of these rides present.

Moab mountain biking offers something for everyone, and with the amazing red rock formations, desert conditions and nature park areas, the scenery is breath-taking enough to make any outing worth your while!

One of the easier introductory rides as far as Moab mountain biking is concerned, is the Courthouse Loop which overlooks part of the Arches National Park. This ride is excellent for families with younger children.

A moderately easy ride is the Klondike Bluffs Trail. It is suitable if you're new to Moab mountain biking, but it helps to be reasonably fit for this 9.6 mile trip!

This trail will take you past prehistoric dinosaur footprints, and offer you an excellent overlook on the Arches National Park.

Take your Moab mountain biking up a notch in terms of difficulty by going for Bartlett Wash, an intermediate-difficulty ride of 4 miles. There is no clearly marked trail, so you will end up picking your way up sandstone ledges, and play around on an amazing open slickrock area.

Because the slickrock area is so tempting, it is always advisable to bring a repair kit, a pump, and extra tubes, as you will invariably be trying out some jumps and other tricks...

The White Rim trail in the Moab mountain biking area is known for its beauty, and also for its exhilarating biking terrain. The trail circles the area between the Colorado and Green Rivers. It offers some of Canyonland's most spectacular views.

Then there is the Maze in Canyonlands National Park. It takes you past prehistoric Native American petroglyphs. Stop whenever you like and view incredible scenery over a 4-day trip.

On to the Amassa Back trail which ascends from the Colorado River west of Moab, and climbs up onto rocks surrounded on three sides by the Colorado. This 10 mile trail - with a vertical climb of 1050 feet - is definitely for advanced bikers!

The Moab mountain biking area offers many other rides, such as Flat Pass, Onion Creek, Hidden Canyon, Porcupine Rim and much more.

You will be sure to visit again, once you've acquired a taste for Moab mountain biking!

For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web.

Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.