The Maze 5-Day Bike Trip
RIDING TYPE
Intermediate
DURATION
5 Days
SEASON
March-May/ September - October
Canyonlands Maze District Bike Tour: Intermediate Riding & Remote Utah Adventure
The Maze: Remote, Technical & Canyonlands Grandeur
Nestled in the most remote district of Canyonlands National Park, the Maze is unique in the world—and was famously brought to life in Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang. The vast open skies and magical rock formations are best experienced from the saddle of your mountain bike. Our guided trip begins at Hans Flat, where incredible views reveal the many layers of this remarkable landscape.
Over the next few days, we will descend the famous Flint Trail to camp at the Maze Overlook. From here we will hike down into the convoluted canyons which give the Maze its name. Later we will ride to the Land of Standing Rocks, completing our journey with a ride along the Orange Cliffs. The riding is equally thrilling, featuring rolling technical doubletrack and a challenging 28-mile unsupported day. The Maze is a true Canyon Country mountain biking experience.
Ready for the ultimate remote technical challenge in Canyonlands? View Dates and Book Your Maze District Trip!
Intermediate Technical Riding & Geological Landmarks
This tour is designed for Intermediate to Advanced riders seeking raw, remote cycling:
Technical Challenge: Traverse rugged, four-wheel drive jeep roads featuring sand, slickrock, ledges, and technical doubletrack.
Unsupported Day: Includes a crucial 28-mile unsupported riding day to test your preparation and resilience.
Iconic Descents: Ride the thrilling, engineered switchbacks of the Flint Trail.
Cultural History: Hike to the Harvest Scene pictograph panel—an essential stop for history enthusiasts.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We will begin our tour with a shuttle to the Hans Flat Ranger Station, just outside the Maze District.
The Maze is the most remote region of Canyonlands National Park and the scenery is breathtaking.
Our route begins along the mesa top with views of Cleopatra’s Chair, Bagpipe Butte, and the Maze itself.
Next, we will descend the Flint Trail, an incredible example of early engineering.
Blasted into the walls of a box canyon, it descends nearly 1,000 feet in two miles, making it an exciting, steep descent.
Today’s adventure kicks off with an exciting ride through Elaterite Basin, featuring some steep and technical downhills that are sure to get your heart pumping.
Then we’ll cruise through Big Water Canyon and on to the Maze Overlook, where we will camp for the night.
The view from this camp is unsurpassed.
This afternoon, we will take a technical hike down into Horse Canyon to see the Harvest Scene pictograph panel, featuring ancient human figures painted by the Archaic people thousands of years ago.
From our camp at the Maze Overlook, we’ll begin by riding back towards the Flint Trail.
Today we will ride the steep downhills of Elaterite Basin in reverse—an excellent technical climb.
Then we’ll swing around beneath Land’s End and ride at the base of the Orange Cliffs until we get to the turnoff to our camp.
After a fast descent, we’ll cruise through the Waterhole Flat area to our camp below Teapot Rock.
Today’s out and back ride begins with some difficult and challenging technical miles in Teapot Canyon.
Most riders will use caution and walk their bike over challenging sections to start this day.
As we ride through Red Cove and the Fins, we’ll encounter jaw-dropping scenery.
In front of us to the north is the spectacular Land of Standing Rocks.
Here, iconic formations like Lizard Rock, The Wall, The Plug, Standing Rock, and Chimney Rock protrude from the ground to create a surreal landscape
Our last day of this tour takes us back through Waterhole Flat, underneath Gunsight Butte and on to Lake Powell.
Though it is hidden from view, our course parallels the Colorado River as it cuts its way through Cataract Canyon.
The riding is quite fun and easy as we cruise along a hard-packed dirt road, around numerous corners and past many slickrock pour-off canyons.
After several miles of cruising, the road opens up and enters a broad, open valley before ending just above Lake Powell.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Four wheel drive jeep roads: packed sediment, ledges, sand and slickrock.
Overall Rating
Intermediate
Technical Difficulty
Moderate with some difficult, rocky sections.
Physical Difficulty
Moderate, some long rides, not many big climbs and one unsupported day.
Altitude
4,000 - 6,000 feet
Biking Mileage
12–35 miles per day.
Hiking Mileage
12–35 miles per day.
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Moab, UT, 7:00 AM MST at The Aarchway Inn, 1551 N Riverview Dr (meet at northern dirt lot). Ending time: return to Moab 4:30-5:30 PM last day. Getting there: 30 mi south of I-70 on Hwy 191; fly into Salt Lake City (SLC), Grand Junction (GJT), or Moab (CNY).
Lodging Before Your Trip
Aarchway Inn
Where the trip meets (10% off for WS guests) Use Hyperlink above or mention your a Western Spirit guest over the phone for discount.
Moab Taxi: 435-210-4297
435-259
Taxi: 435-259-8294
PACKING
What we provide
- Meals
- Snacks
- Drinks
- Camp mugs & dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle
- Camp chairs
- Dry bags
- Solar showers
- Sunscreen & bug spray
- Bike stand
- Lube
- First aid kit
Bring or rent
- Bike
- Helmet
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
- Cycling & camp clothing
- Rain gear
- Personal items
- Tipping cash (10-20%)
Bring or rent
Bringing or renting
- Bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- Helmet (gratis w
- Rental bike)
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping pad
Cycling clothing
- Cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- Long sleeve cycling shirt
- Long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- Cycling socks
- Windbreaker
- Tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- Rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Warm layer
- Sunglasses
Camp clothing
- Camp shorts/shirts
- Warm socks
- Long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- Fleece/sweater
- Pile or down jacket
- Warm gloves and hat
- Brimmed hat
- Bathing suit
- Hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rain gear
Personal
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Towel
- Biodegradable soap
- Wet-wipes
- Flashlight/headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Optional day bag
- Stuff sacks
- Cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Favorite beverages
- Books
- Maps
- Portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
-A DAY WITH-
Western Spirit
Three chapters to every day on the trail. We sweat the details so you can simply ride, eat well, and look up.
Wake to cowboy coffee on the rim, fresh fruit, pancakes and granola. Unforgettable sunrises over the canyon — every single morning.
Learn More ↗
From the Rainbow Rim Trail to the White Rim Road in Canyonlands, our guides put you on the right line for breathtaking Grand Canyon views.
Learn More ↗
We pick camps for a reason. Rivers, lakes, sunset vistas — and a chef-prepared meal under one of the darkest skies in the lower 48.
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