Mountain Biking the Deadhorse Loop – Las Vegas

The Experience

Riding the Deadhorse Loop isn’t just a trail session—it’s a desert gauntlet. Once a NORBA training and racing route, this ride brings together every challenge you’d expect from its storied history: grinding climbs, fast singletrack descents, and the ever-present reality of cacti as your roadside companions.

The journey begins under a power line—a deceptive entry into what quickly turns into a technical and physically demanding ride. At 0.2 miles, you’ll spot the singletrack on your left. Take a mental note because this is where you’ll finish the loop. From here, the trail weaves into the foothills, climbing gradually but relentlessly over loose gravel and through the occasional techy section. By the time you hit the 2-mile mark, the worst of the climbing is behind you, but the real fun is still ahead.

The reward for your efforts? A two-mile stretch of fast and furious singletrack. The trail hugs the terrain tightly, throwing in banked corners, small drops, and jagged rocks that keep your focus razor-sharp. Don’t get too comfortable—the trail flirts with jeep roads, requiring attention to markers and bike tracks to stay on course. At Devil’s Escalator, the switchbacks will make your legs burn, but the summit offers a stunning payoff: sweeping views of the Vegas Valley.

What follows is pure exhilaration. The descent through Red Canyon is a gravity-driven symphony of tight turns, rocky sections, and sudden bursts of speed. This technical stretch drops you into a parking lot near where you began. If your legs are still up for it, a mile-long singletrack detour loops you back under the power line to close the ride.