13.5 Miles of Pure Freedom on the Iron Hills Trails

There is a specific feeling that mountain bikers chase, and it usually happens right after a long, grinding climb when the trail finally tips downward.

The other day, I loaded up the bike and hit the Iron Hills Trail System for a 13.5-mile loop. If you haven’t ridden out there yet, it is a masterclass in trail design. You are completely surrounded by the rugged beauty of massive red rock formations towering in the background, contrasting against the bright green pinyon and juniper trees.

But Iron Hills is also famous for its volcanic rock.

A massive, ancient lava flow cuts right through the mountain, leaving chunky, jagged basalt formations directly in the path. It adds just the right amount of technical difficulty—forcing you to pick a smart line, stay light on your pedals, and rely on a little bit of grit to clear the rock gardens.

But once you conquer the rocks, you hit the flow.

Iron Hills has some of the best berms in Southern Utah. There is nothing quite like leaning hard into a perfectly banked curve, letting your tires grip the dirt, and completely letting go of the brakes.

In those moments, when you're just flying down the hillside with the desert wind rushing against your face, everything else completely fades out.

No mental clutter. No stress. No long to-do lists.

It gives you that completely free, happy feeling that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with being on a bike in the first place.

Thirteen and a half miles of sweat, volcanic stone, and perfect singletrack. It is fast, it is rugged, and it is sitting right on the edge of town, just waiting for a two-minute drive from the office.