12 Most Scenic Mountain Bike Trails You Must Ride Before You Die
Mountain biking isn’t just about breaking a sweat; it’s a thrilling sport that also lets you immerse yourself in nature and experience a totally different world, calm and peaceful.
However, to enjoy this beautiful environment, you first need to find scenic mountain bike trails.
Therefore, in this guide, we will discuss 12 of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the world, which you must add to your bucket list.
These trails are beautiful and would be appreciated by every rider, from beginner to advanced level.
The trails that we are discussing are mostly located in the USA and Europe.
Trans-Province region of France is known for its variety of terrains. There, you can ride on downhill sections and have a beautiful view of the Mediterranean coastline.
Besides these trails, you will also visit medieval villages where you can see the old beauty of the French countryside.
In the end, the ride will be complete with the calming scent of lavender and pine.
So, if you love to ride on challenging mountain bike trails and also beautiful ones, you must visit the Trans-Province region with a camera to capture some beautiful pictures of you.
It won’t be wrong to say Aoraki/Mt National Park is a nature-made wonder.
This MTB riding area includes the beauty of nature, such as mountains, glaciers, and pristine lakes.
So, when you ride there, you’ll go through various trails here, including alpine meadows and lush valleys, which will also give you a peaceful and beautiful view.
Along the way, you will also view Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain peak in New Zealand.
Pro tip: If you plan to go there, you want to take some extra layers because the weather is unpredictable. And it’s not just there in New Zealand, but everywhere in the mountain region.
If you love adventure, then Downieville Downhill of California is one of the most beautiful trails in North America, which is famous for its technical rock gardens, steep drops, and fast descents.
On this trail, you will feel as if you are racing with someone (because of the speed you’ll get).
Along the way, you will arrive in a lush forest and see the beautiful American River Canyon below.
However, if you are not a beginner, it’s not quite suitable for you. For once, intermediate riders can think of going there. Otherwise, it’s designed for pro riders.
5. The Old Ghost Road, New Zealand
Size: 85 km (55 miles)
Trail Type: Multi-day, backcountry, remote
Location: West Coast, New Zealand
Best Time to Ride: Summer, early fall
Skill Level: Advanced
The Old Ghost Road is another scenic mountain bike trail in New Zealand. If you ride there, you will see forests, rugged wilderness, and some rivers.
All these things make this trail adventurous and beautiful. Because of its remote location, mountain biking, backpacking, or camping are also good ideas.
But if you want to go camping, you will need to plan ahead and book your accommodation at the hut.
The Stelvio Pass is one of Europe’s most iconic mountain passes.
It offers a road ride which includes intense gradients, hairpin turns, and many beautiful views.
The Stelvio Pass trail is located in the Italian Alps, so if you ride a mountain bike there, you will enjoy beautiful mountains and rusty terrain.
However, you need to be physically fit to ride there, plus you must have some mountain biking skills. This trail is suitable for intermediate and advanced riders.
The Gully Trail is located in the picturesque forest of Victoria, Australia.
It’s a cross-country trail which has some fun technical sections but isn’t too challenging for beginners.
So, despite your skill level, you can ride there. One thing that makes the gully trail beautiful is the trees. And it’s surrounding. I recommend this trail to those who love relaxing in nature.
The White Rim Trail is located in Canyonlands National Park, and it offers a multi-day backcountry adventure where you will get to see the most stunning desert landscape view in the USA.
It also includes many red rock formations and deep canal views, plus it includes technical sections and wild scenic vistas.
It’s not quite beginner-friendly, but good for intermediate and advanced mountain bikers; plus, you can even go camping there.
11. The Glacier 3000, Switzerland
Size: Approx. 10 km (6 miles)
Trail Type: Downhill, alpine
Location: Glacier 3000, Swiss Alps
Best Time to Ride: Summer
Skill Level: Advanced
The Glacier 3000 is a nice downhill trail which allows you to ride in the Swiss Alps, with scenic views that stretch as far as the eye can see.
It’s located at over 3,000 meters in altitude, which makes it one of the highest bike trails in Europe.
Besides this, it includes various paths, including smooth, fast descents.
This Glacier 3000 is perfect if you want an adrenaline-pumping ride combined with the snow-capped peaks and glacier view.
12. The Cape Town Trails, South Africa
Size: Varies (multiple options)
Trail Type: Cross-country, coastal terrain
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Best Time to Ride: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Skill Level: All levels
The Cape Town Trails offer stunning coastal views, mountainous terrain, and varied landscapes.
As you ride, you’ll see sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Table Mountain.
The Captain trails are suitable for every skill level, from beginner to advanced, which makes it a great place even for beginners.
Conclusion
These were 12 of the most scenic mountain bike trails in the world that offer everything, including beautiful landscapes and challenging terrain, and give you an unforgettable experience.
If you decide to ride there, you will get to see forest areas, mountains, desert areas, etc. So, riding on these scenic trails is a nice way to spend a great time with nature.
However, a few trails that I have mentioned are also good for multi-day trips. Therefore, you need to know some extra safety tips for mountain biking in these areas.
So, Which of these trails excites you the most? Share your experiences in the comments!
Nature’s beauty makes mountain bike trails scenic. Usually, these trails feature stunning vistas, beautiful landscapes, unique geological formations, and beautiful views, which can be mountain, coastal overlooks, forest areas, wildflowers, lakes, andeven desert canyons etc.
When you see all these things in one trail, it will be called a scenic mountain bike trail.
How can I find scenic mountain bike trails near me?
It’s very easy to find scenic mountain bike trails. You just need to download or open any popular website or apps like Trailforks, MTBproject, or Alltrails.
These apps and websites provide trails with maps and photos along with their difficulty level.
So, after downloading any of these apps or opening their website, you can search for a trail, or you can use a filter to get to see all trails in your locality.
Plus, as I said, these apps also provide photos, so if you see a photo which includes beautiful scenery, you can check its reviews and facilities. Then go there. It is the simplest way to find beautiful trails near you.
What should I pack for a scenic mountain bike ride?
Besides this, for mountain bike maintenance, you can also keep a first aid kit and some repairing tools, including CO2 inflators, especially for a multi-day trip or if the trail level is for advanced riders.
And most importantly, you want to bring your camera to capture some beautiful pictures. And don’t forget to wear sunglasses.
What are some tips for staying safe on scenic mountain bike trails?
Before visiting any scenic mountain bike trails, you want to search for that specific trail, read reviews about that, and check its difficulty level.
Plus, you want to let someone know where you are going, and you also want to prepare yourself for any weather conditions.
For example, you can keep Mountain biking clothes like waterproof jackets and some essential safety gear and also have maps downloaded.
Besides this, if you are going to ride in a forest area, where chances are high that you can encounter an animal like a bear, in such a case, you want to keep bear spray, and you want to show them that you are stronger.
However, if you follow all these things, you can stay safe on scenic trails.
