Moab is famous for the Slick Rock Bike Trail. Below is a Google Maps snapshot of the area in which you can see the extensive outcrops of slick rock. The parking area is shown in the lower right of the picture with a practice loop shown in lilac and the main loop shown in red. There is an extensive map available at the tourist information centre for about USD8 which shows quite a few other trails that criss cross the main trail or head out to vista points that look out over the Colorado River or Moab.

To put this trail into perspective, it was originally a motor bike trail and is still used by motor bikes to this day. As you would expect from this, it has some very (and I mean very) steep sections to challenge the motor bikes which are even more challenging for mountain bikes. Grip isn't an issue - it's the ability to maintain the climbing power required to get up the climbs and the skill required to get down some of the drops.

This is not a trail for beginners and a lot of intermediate riders will struggle in places but if you don't mind a bit of "hike a bike" you will, as a minimum, be challenged by this loop. Apparently the trail is easier in the clockwise direction. My tip for this trail is get out early and beat the crowds - I did this and on my return there were queues in some locations as people waited for others to make the larger drops and climbs. Similarly in summer, it's best to ride early or late to beat the heat.

You need to pay a day fee to enter this area and this costs USD10 per day by memory. You get a trail map which is located here.

Below you can find a variety of photos of the slick rock area. The trail is marked with a series of white dashes with directions at each change in trail direction. The dashes in some parts can be quite worn so you need to scan ahead at times to check where you are heading.

Unfortunately, the photos don't convey the steepness of portions of the trail. In some areas, I saw people walking the motorbikes around to get better approaches at getting up or down. Give it a go - no matter your experience level (as long as it's intermediate or above), you will be challenged and see some great scenery.

Take the time to venture out to the vista points around the trail to see some great views over Moab and down to the Colorado River.

Panorama of the slick rock area - it's like another planet...

Another panorama...

And another...

View out over the Colorado River

Typical trail markings (dashes on rock) for you to follow.

YouTube video from Matthew Dzuricky's YouTube channel gives a pretty good idea of the trail.

	Parking is available at Sand Flats Road trailhead.
	Toilet facilities are available at Sand Flats Road trailhead.
	No drinking water is available.
	No food or drinks are available in the immediate area.
	Local area information can be obtained at trailhead.