By Colin FosterUpdated November 2026
Finding the best mountain bike trails is easier when you have a good guide in hand. A strong trail book gives you route descriptions, distances, difficulty ratings and access notes before you ever load the car. This list compares seven guides and regional books across the United States and Canada, and each pick is matched to a different kind of rider. The selection method was research-based: we looked at publisher scope, how current the trail coverage appears, how well each book suits a specific region, and the patterns owners tend to report about layout, map quality and usefulness on the trail.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overall100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate GuideView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for Canadian ridersBest Mountain Bike Trails In Canada: 100 Top Trail Networks In Quebec,View on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for Southern CaliforniaMountain Biking Southern California's Best 100 TrailsView on Amazon - 4
Best for Reno and Carson CityMountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best TrailsView on Amazon - 5
Best for planning a year of ridesMountain Biking 2027 Wall CalendarView on Amazon - 6
Best for Northern CaliforniaMountain Biking Northern California's Best 100 TrailsView on Amazon - 7
Best for touring-style riding in New England25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont: Scenic Tours Along Dirt Roads, ForeView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States | Riders planning trips across multiple states | Nationwide coverage of singletrack destinations |
| Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada | Riders targeting Quebec, Ontario, Alberta or British Columbia | Trail networks organized by province |
| Mountain Biking Southern California’s Best 100 Trails | Local and visiting riders in Southern California | Regional focus with 100 trail profiles |
| Mountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best Trails | Riders based in or visiting the Reno–Carson City area | Concentrated coverage of one high-desert region |
| Mountain Biking 2027 Wall Calendar | Riders who want monthly inspiration and a planning reference | Monthly format with a QR code feature |
| Mountain Biking Northern California’s Best 100 Trails | Riders in the Bay Area, Sierra and northern corridor | Regional focus with 100 trail profiles |
| 25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont | Riders who prefer multi-hour loops on dirt roads and forest trails | Tour-style routes rather than only singletrack |
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate Guide to America’s Top Singletrack
100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States: The Ultimate Guide to America's Top Singletrack — From Epic Rides to Hidden Gems
Best for: Riders who want one national reference for the best mountain bike trails across the country.
This book suits riders who travel and want to compare destinations from coast to coast. It is also useful for planning a trip around a specific riding style, such as desert singletrack or alpine climbs, because the trail selection spans many terrains.
Key specs:
- Covers 100 trail destinations across the United States
- Organized as a guidebook with route-level descriptions
Pros:
- Broad national coverage makes trip comparison easy
- Good starting point for riders new to a region
- Highlights both well-known and lesser-known singletrack
Cons:
- Single trail entries may not carry the depth of a dedicated regional guide
- Trail conditions change, so checking current status is still necessary
Bottom line: Pick this if you ride across several states and want one book to shortlist trips.
Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada: 100 Top Trail Networks In Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada: 100 Top Trail Networks In Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
Best for: Riders focused on Canadian trail networks in the four provinces named in the title.
Canadian riders and US riders planning a cross-border trip will get the most from this guide. Its province-based organization makes it easy to match a riding style to a region.
Key specs:
- Covers 100 trail networks
- Focuses on Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia
Pros:
- Regional focus suits riders who want Canadian depth
- Trail networks, not just single routes, are covered
- Useful for comparing provinces before a trip
Cons:
- Coverage is limited to four provinces
- Maps may need to be cross-checked with current local sources
Bottom line: The right choice for anyone riding in or planning a trip to the four featured provinces.
Mountain Biking Southern California’s Best 100 Trails
Mountain Biking Southern California's Best 100 Trails
Best for: Riders based in or visiting Southern California who want regional depth.
This guide is built for riders who expect to spend most of their time in one region. Its 100-trail scope gives a thorough look at the local options, from desert routes to coastal hills.
Key specs:
- Covers 100 trails in Southern California
Pros:
- Deep regional coverage in one book
- Helpful for choosing rides by skill level
- Good companion for local trip planning
Cons:
- Not useful outside the featured region
- Route details can date, so verify access before riding
Bottom line: Choose this if Southern California is your main riding area.
Mountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best Trails
Mountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best Trails
Best for: Riders who want focused coverage of the Reno and Carson City area.
A tightly scoped regional guide suits riders who know where they want to ride. It is a practical pick for a weekend trip rather than a multi-state tour.
Key specs:
- Regional focus on the Reno and Carson City area
Pros:
- Concentrated coverage of one area
- Easy to use for short trips
- Good for riders who want local detail
Cons:
- Limited value for riders planning destinations elsewhere
- Trail access rules should be checked locally
Bottom line: A solid pick for anyone riding around Reno and Carson City.
Mountain Biking 2027 Wall Calendar
Interactive QR Code each month to ride trails across the world Mountain Biking 2027 Wall Calendar | Marble City Press | Plastic Free
Best for: Riders who want monthly trail inspiration and a planning reference on the wall.
This calendar works best as a planning tool and motivation piece rather than a route guide. Riders who like to plan a ride each month will find the format useful for keeping destinations in view.
Key specs:
- Wall calendar format for 2027
- Includes a QR code feature for each month
Pros:
- Easy to scan month by month
- Good for building a riding plan across the year
- Works well as a gift or shared planning tool
Cons:
- Not a detailed route guide
- Trail details are limited compared with a guidebook
Bottom line: Pick this for planning and inspiration, not for on-trail navigation.
Mountain Biking Northern California’s Best 100 Trails
Mountain Biking Northern California's Best 100 Trails
Best for: Riders in the Bay Area, Sierra and northern corridor.
Northern California has a wide range of terrain, from coastal fire roads to high-country singletrack. This guide organizes 100 trails across that range, which makes regional comparison straightforward.
Key specs:
- Covers 100 trails in Northern California
Pros:
- Strong regional depth
- Useful for matching rides to skill level
- Good for multi-day trips within the region
Cons:
- Not designed for riders outside Northern California
- Verify trail status before a long ride
Bottom line: The best fit for riders whose home base is in Northern California.
25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont: Scenic Tours Along Dirt Roads, Forest Trails, and Forgotten Byways
25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont: Scenic Tours Along Dirt Roads, Forest Trails, and Forgotten Byways
Best for: Riders who prefer longer tour-style loops over technical singletrack alone.
This guide suits riders who enjoy mixed-surface touring on dirt roads and forest trails. It is a good match for relaxed exploration rather than steep, technical descents.
Key specs:
- Covers 25 tours in Vermont
- Mix of dirt roads, forest trails and byways
Pros:
- Good for mixed-surface touring
- Suits riders who want scenery as much as singletrack
- Covers a distinct New England riding style
Cons:
- Less focused on technical singletrack
- Limited to Vermont
Bottom line: Choose this for scenic, mixed-terrain touring in Vermont.
Buying Guide
Route Coverage and Region
Decide whether you want national breadth or regional depth. A national book helps you compare trips, while a regional guide gives more route-level detail for the area you will actually ride. If you plan to ride in one state, a focused guide will usually serve you better.
Good picks for this: 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States, Mountain Biking Southern California’s Best 100 Trails
Difficulty and Skill Level Ratings
Look for guides that clearly rate difficulty, since a green trail and a black trail can differ dramatically in technical demand. Check whether the book explains its rating system. Ratings are subjective, so cross-check with local trail maps before committing to a steep descent.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking Northern California’s Best 100 Trails, 25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont
Map Quality and Navigation
Check how the guide handles maps. Clear, legible maps with distance markers are more useful than decorative images. If you plan to navigate offline, pair a printed guide with a downloadable map or a GPS file for the same trail system.
Good picks for this: Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada, Mountain Biking Reno & Carson City: Best Trails
Trip Style: Singletrack vs. Touring
Decide whether you want technical singletrack or longer loops on mixed surfaces. Singletrack guides focus on trail character and technical features, while tour books emphasize routes, distances and scenery. Matching the book to your riding style prevents disappointment on the trail.
Good picks for this: 25 Mountain Bike Tours in Vermont, 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States
Currency and Updates
Trail access, closures and conditions change. Check the publication year and whether the book notes that details should be verified. Pair any printed guide with current information from land managers or local bike shops before a trip.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking Southern California’s Best 100 Trails, Mountain Biking 2027 Wall Calendar
Planning Format: Guidebook vs. Calendar
A guidebook is built for on-trail reference, while a calendar or wall format is better for planning and motivation. Think about when you will use the book: before the ride, during it, or as a monthly reminder of where to go next.
Good picks for this: Mountain Biking 2027 Wall Calendar, Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada
FAQ
What makes a guide one of the best mountain bike trails resources?
A strong guide offers clear route descriptions, accurate difficulty ratings, usable maps and a scope that matches your riding area. Publication date and whether the book notes that conditions change are also important signals.
Is a printed guide still useful when most riders use GPS?
Yes. Printed guides give an overview that is easier to scan when planning, and they work without a signal. Many riders use a book for planning and a digital map on the trail.
How do I choose between a national and a regional guide?
Choose a national guide if you travel across several states and want to compare destinations. Choose a regional guide if you ride mostly in one area and want more route-level detail.
Do trail guides include difficulty ratings?
Most dedicated guides include some form of difficulty rating. Rating systems vary between publishers, so read the key before relying on a rating.
How often should I verify trail information?
Verify before every trip, especially for closures, seasonal restrictions and access permissions. Land managers and local bike shops are good sources for current conditions.
Are touring guides suitable for technical singletrack?
Touring guides focus more on routes and scenery than technical trail features. If you want steep, technical descents, choose a singletrack-focused guide instead.
Conclusion
For a broad national overview, 100 Best Mountain Bike Trails in the United States is the most flexible pick. Riders focused on Canada should look at Best Mountain Bike Trails In Canada, while Southern and Northern California riders will get the most from their respective regional guides. The Reno and Carson City book suits a focused weekend trip, and the Vermont tour book fits riders who prefer scenic, mixed-surface loops. The wall calendar works as a planning and inspiration tool rather than a route reference. Whichever you choose, verify current trail access before riding, since conditions and closures change.
Sources
- How national forests manage recreational trail access and seasonal closures (fs.usda.gov)
- Park-level trail rules, permits and current conditions for mountain biking (nps.gov)
- Trail etiquette, difficulty rating guidance and responsible riding practices
Related reading
- Rocky Hill Ranch Mountain Bike Trails: 6 Best Maps and Guides for 2026
- Phoenix Mountain Bike Trails: 6 Best Maps and Guides for 2026
- Muscogee Mountain Bike Trails: 7 Best Guides and Picks for 2026
- Mountain Bike Trails NC: 8 Best Routes for Every Skill Level
- Bend Oregon Mountain Bike Trails: 5 Best Maps and Guides of 2026
- Alafia Mountain Bike Trails: 6 Best Picks for Every Rider (2026)
About Colin Foster
Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our bike touring & bikepacking guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
