10 Mountain Unicycle/Mountain Bike Trails You Have to Ride (Part Two)

In case you missed it, here’s the first installment of our 10 top trails in the country that every mountain bike and unicycle rider needs to tackle at least once in his or her lifetime.

So pack up the knee, elbow, and wrist pads, stash some dry snacks, and stuff your bike tools in your pack. It’s time to hit the road for part two.

6. Oak Mountain State Park - Birmingham, AL

This is a good overall exposure to what it’s like to ride on any trail that runs through Appalachia. It’s a lot of granite, it’s rocky and rutty. Basically, it’s the sort of thing you’d be exposed to if you ever attend S.T.O.M.P. Muni Fest (October 17th-20th, 2024, by the way).

There are lots of rocks and big blocks, making it very technical. You’ll definitely challenge your abilities on this trail, even if it’s less extreme than others covered in this series.

But the great thing about it is it’s really open. You’ll never feel at any point (or rarely, at least) that you’re “stuck” on the trail, so you can leave the trail and go around any technical challenges you think might be just a bit much for you. It’s like “a choose your own adventure” sort of trail, making it great for riders of varying degrees of skill levels.

7. The Slaughter Pen - Bentonville, AR

All in all, the Slaughter Pen is a great trail for both mountain unicyclists and bikers, for one very important reason. It’s not nearly that hard.

And don’t let the name fool you. It’s one of the easiest trails on this list, if not the easiest. All the same, it has a lot of technical features that are very unicycle friendly, so it’s not without its challenges. Think of it more like a fun challenge rather than a grueling one.

It’s a mix of singletrack and paved bikeways, so there’s a lot of variety on the trail, and the ups and downs are nowhere near as intense as many of the others you’ll find on the other trails here.

Plus, the scenery is just beautiful, making it a really unique and enjoyable ride.

8. Bear Creek to P1 and P2 - Mulberry Gap, GA

About 65% singletrack, almost 24 miles long, and with a max grade of 24%, Bear Creek, P1 and P2 are not without their challenges. It’s pretty much all uphill, too, so it’s a tiring trail. For those interested in trials and challenges, you’ll be happy to note that there are a couple stream crossings, too.

The good news is if you take it into P2, that part is pretty much all downhill, so you get two sides of the same coin; one, the struggle of the climb, two, the controlled descent.

It’s not too technical, it’s a great way to see Georgian Appalachia, and if you can make a loop of it so you end at your vehicle.

9. Gooseberry Mesa - Hurricane, UT

Don’t let the 2% average grade or the short length (it’s only 13 miles and change) get you to let your guard down. Gooseberry Mesa’s “Big Loop” is a challenging trail, but well worth it. The scenery is breathtaking and it has been called a world class trail.

It is 100% singletrack with a lot of twists and rolling slick rock. It’s worth the challenge, if you’re up for it, and remember, if you don’t feel comfortable riding, just hop out of the saddle and walk a bit. The vistas are well worth the trip - and we won’t tell anyone if you walked a section!

Plus, almost all of it is white sandstone, so even though the trail has tons of challenges, you just can’t not get a good grip on this trail. It’s like riding on sandpaper, and offers excellent traction in all conditions (even when wet). It’s just like you’d get in and around Moab.

This is one to which words can do no justice. You need to see it. It’s so overwhelming it can throw your very depth perception off. It’s in spot number 9 for a reason. Ride it someday. You just have to.

10. Zippity Loop - Fruita, CO

Possibly the most challenging trail on this entire list, the Zippity Loop in Fruita is all singletrack, and sure, it’s only 8.5 miles long, but this is not a forgiving trail, and at points, you’ll have nowhere to go but forward.

Most of the trail is only a few inches wide - you’re riding the crest of a ridge - with a fairly sharp rollaway and dropoff on both sides. There are some serious dips and rises, making for a real workout, and since you’re on a ridge, expect to get buffeted by pretty strong winds (which could come from either side, or gusts from both) making this quite the tiring ride.

There’s one drop that’s pretty sandy, and some people walk it, but that actually increases erosion, making the drop even more severe. Just be ready for aggressive, sharp rises and drops. With that said, you get a big payoff for such a short trail, and you will leave with memories.

And, for coffee lovers, make sure you check out Bestslope Coffee right in Fruita before you leave!

Get the Bike Tools and Safety Gear Ready to Go

All that’s left for you to do now is plan an itinerary, and of course make sure you have everything you need. In addition to helmet, knee, elbow and wrist pads, bike tools and other essentials, make sure you bring everything you need for a long trip.

And, as always, we’re here to help. Call us and let us know if you have any questions!