The best road cycling routes in the Mollogon Rim

The Mogollon Rim offers a wide selection of road cycling routes, with over 25 routes available on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, including 5 easy, 21 moderate, and 2 difficult options, ensuring there's a ride for every cyclist.

The Mogollon Rim is an excellent escape from the summer heat of lower desert areas, making May to October a particularly popular time for road cycling. The cooler temperatures at higher elevations provide a comfortable riding experience, especially through the extensive ponderosa pine forests.

Yes, the Mogollon Rim offers several family-friendly options. For instance, the Thunder Mountain Road Bike Route is an easy 10.8-mile (17.4 km) ride, and the Red Rock Loop Road is another easy 9.4-mile (15.1 km) trail, both suitable for families looking for a scenic and less challenging experience.

Road cycling in the Mogollon Rim features diverse terrain, from dramatic escarpments with significant elevation changes to lush ponderosa pine forests. You'll encounter routes with breathtaking panoramic views, high cliffs of limestone and sandstone, and winding roads through scenic valleys. Routes like Superior to Gila River via Arizona Highway 177 offer challenging climbs, while others provide more gentle rolls.

Absolutely. The Mogollon Rim is renowned for its stunning vistas. Many routes offer access to incredible viewpoints like Rim Lakes Vista, Military Sinkhole, and Woods Canyon Vista, providing spectacular photographic opportunities and expansive views of the forests and valleys. The Chapel of the Holy Cross via Red Rock Scenic Byway route, for example, showcases distinctive red rock formations.

The Mogollon Rim's road cycling routes are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from numerous reviews. Cyclists frequently praise the region's dramatic landscapes, the refreshing escape from the heat, and the variety of routes that cater to different abilities, from scenic byways to challenging climbs.

Yes, there are several loop routes available. For instance, the Red Rock Loop Road is a popular 9.4-mile (15.1 km) loop that takes you through iconic red rock landscapes. Another option is the Goldfield Ghost Town and Lost Dutchman State Park via the Apache Trail loop, offering a longer 20.5-mile (33 km) ride.

The Mogollon Rim is rich in natural beauty. You can find numerous mountain lakes like Woods Canyon Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, and Willow Springs Lake, which are popular for picnicking. The area also features geological wonders and pristine creeks such as Fossil Springs. Many routes offer views or access to these natural highlights.

Experienced riders seeking a challenge will find several difficult routes. The Superior to Gila River via Arizona Highway 177 is a difficult 35.2-mile (56.6 km) route with significant elevation gain, offering a robust workout and rewarding views. Another challenging option is the View of Rock Pinnacle – Boulder Creek Bridge loop from Crosscut Trail Head, a 27.1-mile (43.6 km) moderate-to-difficult ride.

Beyond specific routes, the region features scenic drives that are popular for cycling. Forest Road 300 (Rim Road) follows the edge of the Rim, offering spectacular views and access to recreational areas. Highway 260 also provides a scenic journey through dense pine forests. These roads often include paved sections suitable for road bikes.

Yes, some routes offer glimpses of the region's history and unique structures. For example, the Chapel of the Holy Cross via Red Rock Scenic Byway takes you past an iconic architectural landmark nestled within the red rocks. The Goldfield Ghost Town and Lost Dutchman State Park via the Apache Trail loop also offers a ride through an area with historical significance.

The Mogollon Rim region includes several mountain passes that can be incorporated into or viewed from road cycling routes. While specific road cycling routes directly over major passes might vary, the general area is characterized by significant elevation changes. You can find highlights like Highest point on Apache Trail and Little Saddle within the broader region, offering challenging ascents and descents.