Choosing between hundreds of trails that are spread throughout the North American continent is not an easy task. With such a variety of landscapes and sights you can get easily overwhelmed while trying to decide which is the best option for you. However, this also means that everyone can find the best fit - be it a family ride on the weekend, trails for the most skilled riders, or simply getting out of the daily hassle of the city. We have chosen 5 Trails, or better, 5 areas we think are worth a ride
Banff, Alberta
Many of the best mountain bike riders were born in Canada. So, it's not by mistake that this list starts with Banff. Located inside the Banff National Park, just 78 miles from Calgary, you get some of the most pristine tracks that you can ride on a bike and wildlife is not a rare sight. Despite being surrounded by nature, the town of Banff itself is specialized in tourism and is ready to welcome you and your family on a perfect mountain biking adventure.
Santos Mountain Bike Park, Ocala, Florida
Santos includes 80+ miles of diverse bike trails for all kind of cyclists, beginners as well as experts. Spread across a former limestone quarry the Santos Mountain Bike Park deserves a good position in our Top 5 list. While not located in an area with much elevation, the designers did an excellent job while planning this park. Strategically placed wooden features make these trails a must-ride if you're in the area. Regardless of your riding level, everyone can find something to enjoy in this bike park
Brevard, North Carolina
While Colorado, Utah and California get most of the press attention, there are some interesting destinations for MTB enthusiasts from the East Coast as well.
The area around Brevard is very popular among riders for its network of over 50 trails, many of which are very technical. But Brevard has more to offer than just trails, with many local breweries booming in and around Brevard. Combine that with North Carolina's food and the beautiful settings of Nantahala National Forest and Pisgah Forest's and you will have the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Crested Butte, Colorado
With 9000 ft of altitude and over 700 miles of singletrack, Crested Butte is a proper mountain bike Mecca and should deserve its own top 5 list. In this alpine setting you can find everything, from intermediate trails with easy climbs to advanced trails with the 1200 ft of descent, like the famous Trail 401. Crested Butte is a wonderful destination and the views from the many options of places to stay will surely impress.
Big Sur, California
Any mountain trail list would be incomplete without the birthplace of the mountain bike as a sport: California.
Restrictive soil usage laws have preserved this area's natural features. In fact, there are less than 300 hotel rooms in the area between San Simeon and Carmel-by-the-Sea. However, you will be rewarded with central California's wonderful scenery, facing the Pacific Ocean.
Deciding which locations to include in this list was not easy and so many top destinations had to be left out. However, these are just a few of the many trails that you can ride with your bike. There are many more just waiting to be discovered. Let's stop talking and start riding!
