Mountain Biking

South Mountain Park and Preserve's trail system, more than 100 miles, is open to mountain biking as well as hiking and horseback riding, and the City of Phoenix calls the park's roads a favorite of bicyclists. Long options include the 8.6-mile Desert Classic Trail from Pima Canyon, which climbs only about 270 feet, and sections of the 15.4-mile National Trail along the ridge. The City allows bikes on the busy Mormon Trail but recommends against riding it. On Sundays, Silent Sunday closes Summit Road to cars.

Where to Ride

• Desert Classic Trail — 8.6 miles on the City map with about 270 feet of elevation change. It starts by bearing left from the Pima Canyon Trailhead and runs along the south side of the mountain; the Beverly Canyon and Corona de Loma trails connect to it.
• Pima Canyon trails — the Pima Wash Trail (1.4 miles) and the Pima West and East loops have 70 to 120 feet of elevation change, and the Pima Canyon Loop is 4.4 miles.
• National Trail — 15.4 miles along the spine of the park, reached by connector climbs from several trailheads.
• Other long trails on the City map — the Bajada Trail (3.5 miles), the Gila Trail (5.3), the Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter (7.9) and the Guadalupe Perimeter (7.2).

Check each trail's difficulty symbol on the City's trail page and map before you ride it; the ratings run from easy to extremely difficult (Trail Map).

Where Not to Ride

• Mormon Trail: bikes are allowed, but the City does not recommend them because of the high number of hikers.
• Off trail: off-trail travel is prohibited throughout the preserve.

Road Cycling and Silent Sunday

The park roads, including Summit Road up to Dobbins Lookout, are shared by cars, bikes and people on foot. The City warns of many blind corners, narrow sections and steep drop-offs. For a car-free climb:

• Most Sundays: Summit Road is closed to cars at the 1.0-mile marker from 5 to 10 a.m.
• Fourth Sunday of the month: closed to cars all day, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

City staff, tower workers and emergency vehicles can still be on the road. Silent Sunday

Heat and Hours

Trails are open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; parking lots 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Extreme Heat Warning days, the City restricts the Holbert, Mormon and Hau'pal Loop trails and National Trail access from Pima Canyon from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Heat Closures). Carry more water than you think you need; the City's hiking checklist applies to riders too.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: riders who want long desert trail rides inside the city; road cyclists on Sunday mornings.

Maybe skip if: your plan was the Mormon Trail. The City recommends against biking it; start at Pima Canyon instead.