The best cycling routes around Four Corners

There are several touring cycling routes in the Four Corners region, with komoot featuring 7 distinct tours. These routes offer a variety of experiences across the diverse landscapes of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

The Four Corners region, primarily within the Colorado Plateau, offers varied terrain. You can expect roads through arid plateaus, deep canyons, and river valleys. Routes may feature unique geological formations like volcanic structures, towering spires, and arches. While some sections are flat, others include moderate elevation changes, such as the challenging, unpaved ascent of the Moki Dugway in Utah.

Yes, there are several easy touring cycling routes. For instance, the Telfair Lake loop is an easy 10.2 km path with minimal elevation gain, offering scenic views around the lake. Another easy option is the Mud washout loop from Meadows Place, which covers 24.3 km.

The Four Corners region is rich in dramatic natural features. Cyclists can encounter breathtaking canyon country roads, such as those in the Dolores River Canyon, or unique geological formations like the hoodoos and badlands of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. Iconic red rock formations in Monument Valley are also a highlight. For specific points of interest, you might pass by the George Bush Park Trail or Brays Bayou Park.

Yes, many touring cycling routes in the Four Corners region are designed as loops. Examples include the Sugarland Memorial Park loop, the Telfair Lake loop, and the Sugar Land Park trails loop from Thompson's Chapel Cemetery. These circular routes allow you to start and end at the same point, making logistics easier.

May and August are popular months for cycling in the Four Corners region. The arid climate generally offers good conditions for exploring the diverse landscapes. However, it's always advisable to check local weather forecasts, especially for higher elevations or during summer months when temperatures can be high.

The touring cycling routes in Four Corners are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars from more than 8 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse landscapes, from arid plateaus and river valleys to unique geological formations, and the variety of routes suitable for different ability levels.

The Four Corners region is rich in Ancient Puebloan history. While specific routes listed here may not directly pass through major archaeological sites, the region itself offers the Trail of the Ancients Byway, which is dedicated to archaeological sites. Cyclists can explore incredible cliff dwellings and cultural remnants at sites like Mesa Verde National Park, Chaco Canyon, and Hovenweep National Monument, often accessible via nearby roads.

Yes, for those seeking a greater challenge, the Four Corners region offers routes with more significant elevation changes and longer distances. Examples include the Sugarland Memorial Park loop and the Sugar Land Park trails loop from Thompson's Chapel Cemetery, both categorized as difficult due to their length and varied terrain.

Absolutely. The region is renowned for its dramatic scenery. You can find routes that traverse breathtaking canyon country roads, such as those near the Dolores River Canyon, or offer views of mountains like the Sleeping Ute and Chuska Mountains. The Colorado Plateau's expansive vistas, with towering spires and sweeping arches, are a constant feature of many rides.

The Four Corners region is a popular destination for bikepacking, especially in more remote areas. The San Juan National Forest offers opportunities for high-altitude bikepacking tours. Multi-day tours to places like Hunts Mesa, providing views of the Navajo Nation Monument Valley Tribal Park, are also popular ways to explore the remote landscapes.

The routes in Four Corners offer a mix of surfaces. While some routes, like the Sugarland Memorial Park loop, offer paved surfaces suitable for touring bicycles, the broader region also features over 700 miles of mapped gravel routes in San Juan County, New Mexico, ranging from rough and sandy overland roads to rocky double tracks and smooth single tracks.

Yes, some routes offer scenic views of water features. For example, the Telfair Lake loop provides picturesque views around the lake. Additionally, the George Bush Trail – Nice view of the canal loop from Barker Reservoir offers views of a canal and reservoir.