The 20 Most Tantalizing MTB Trails of 2016, According to Singletracks Readers

5. 18 Road Trails / North Fruita Desert, Fruita, Colorado

Fruita and the Grand Valley as a whole has become Colorado’s defacto escape-the-cold mountain bike getaway, thanks to the increasing number of trails and the fact that it’s an hour and a half closer than Moab. And when most people think of Fruita, they think of this trail system in the North Fruita Desert due to its beginner-friendly nature and incredible flow that even expert riders can’t get enough of.

“It’s been a long time since I have lived in CO and ridden these trails, but as another poster said, they are burned into my mind. The most fun I have ever had on a mountain bike. Fast and flowy. Funn descents and gentle climbs. There are certainly more hardcore riders than I am out there, and for them, the riding is not very technical, but for me the smile on my face was constant. Combining the Bookcliff trails with the Mary’s loop trails makes for a great combination for a long weekend trip.” -zgcracker

4. The Whole Enchilada, Moab, Utah

The Whole Enchilada is the crown jewel of Moab mountain biking and, some would argue, the crown jewel of mountain bike trails, period. In fact, I chose it as one of my favorite trails of all time. This 27-mile route drops over 7,000 vertical feet and passes through almost every climate zone imaginable. Topping out above treeline, the trail descends through a high-alpine pine forest, into a massive aspen grove, down into scrub oaks and scrub brush, into a high-desert environment along UPS/LPS, into a low-desert environment completely devoid of vegetation, and ends at the Colorado River in the bottom of the canyon. There may not be a more varied half-day mountain bike route the entire world over!

“I rode the Whole Enchilada again this summer, during my trip which included the 401 in CB, Hartman Rocks, Albuquerque, and Fruita….Whole Enchilada is still the best trail you will ever ride, period. But it’s only for riders who want a serious technical adventure! Beginners or those not real experienced should stick to the upper parts, before UPS! I would drive all the way to Moab to just ride WE, it totally kills! I did walk to the Burro pass though, it’s a pretty serious climb on my Freeride bike, and I gave up after last year, but all the other guys around did ride it! Get your shuttle ride to the top from Uranium Bike Shop in Moab, they are great people! Then you land at the Colorado River and ride back to town. I am a crappy climber and I got from the top of Burro to the river in about 3 hours, plus a few minutes for pictures, breaks etc.” -JackPompanoBeach

3. Monarch Crest, Salida, Colorado

Rider: Marcel Slootheer. Photo: Greg Heil

The Monarch Crest is one of the most epic mountain bike rides in the nation, spending 10 miles traversing the Continental Divide, poking above treeline in a few spots, before bombing down the mountainside on steep, rocky singletrack, all the way back to the valley floor below.

“The Crest trail is one that should be on everyone’s list. Not technical except for a couple of places. Where it gets you is in the elevation and sustained climbing. But man, what views. Epic. And once you start downward you’ll have the time of your life. The descent is not too technical either really but depending on the route can go for many miles and gets steep and a little sketchy in a few places. It can be 75 and sunny but you could end up wading through hip deep snow up top–take more clothing than you think you need.” -Scott Cotter

2. Santos, Ocala, Florida

Home to an annual spring break Fat Tire Festival, Santos not only pulls in mountain bikers from across the state of Florida, but it also attracts riders from all across the United States who are looking to escape the winter cold with some delectable dry singletrack. And with over 80 miles of trail, there’s plenty at Santos to go around.

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“There’s a reason it’s the #1 trail in Florida–it’s absolutely fantastic! Came up with a couple friends that had never ridden here, and they also agree it’s a great trail system. And that’s after we weren’t able to do it all after one of them fell and snapped their carbon handlebar. Your best bet is to attack the Vortex head on with fresh legs, and make your way towards the trails near the trailhead after. Stay well hydrated, the trails this last weekend were hot. Whether in the sun or shade, the humidity was a killer.” -jblanco1984

1. Colorado Trail, Denver to Durango, Colorado

The Colorado Trail has earned the #1 overall trail ranking in the entire Singletracks database, and for good reason. At 535 miles long, running from Denver to Durango, and passing through some of the most epic mountains in the world, it’s almost impossible to conceive of a better singletrack trail than the COT. No wonder it’s the most lusted-after trail on Singletracks, with the most page views of any trail page on our website!

“Done the whole thing. Every segment is different but fun no matter what. You get everything, from fast rolling singletrack to miles of brutal rock gardens.
One of the best riding experiences I’ve ever had.” -stumpyfsr

Your Turn: Which mountain bike trail are you most stoked to hit in 2017? Let us know in the comments section below!