21.0 miles
Distance
3,940 ft
Climb
-3,880 ft
Descent
2,453 ft
High Point

Advanced XC Adventure Loop. HAB, CHUNK, SWITCHBACKS, FUN FUN FUN

Detailed Description
Alta National XC XXX is a 21 mile moderately popular extreme route located near Phoenix Arizona. This mountain bike only route can be used one direction and has a extreme overall physical rating. This route includes 10 trails. This route climbs 3,940 ft with a max elevation of 2,453 ft then descends -3,880 ft.
Local Trail Association
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Gravity Riders Organization of Arizona (www.groaz.org)
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33 Reviews & Comments

  • + 0
Fbouvet (Jan 26, 2023 at 7:58)
Way up on National is Rough, sustained technical rocks. Way down has some really loose and rocky sections
[Reply]
  • + 0
mountzlu (Feb 6, 2022 at 16:23)
Trail National
Didn’t see a single person beyond the rock shelter above the top of Kiwanis. 360 views. Fast, loose, flow — this section has a lot to offer.
[Reply]
  • + 0
mountzlu (Feb 6, 2022 at 16:23)
Trail National
Didn’t see a single person beyond the rock shelter above the top of Kiwanis. 360 views. Fast, loose, flow — this section has a lot to offer.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ampfrog (Jan 21, 2022 at 1:23)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
If blue XC is your jam, must ride this trail. Lots of ups and downs (some steep), nothing too technical, super fun with good views.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ampfrog (Jan 21, 2022 at 1:23)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
If blue XC is your jam, must ride this trail. Lots of ups and downs (some steep), nothing too technical, super fun with good views.
[Reply]
  • + 1
caleblevoturbeavo (Jan 15, 2022 at 21:04)
Trail Alta
Did an out and back on the east side of Alta up to the Ridgeline. It's a bit of a slog up with those tight switchbacks, but back down it has its own kind of flow. I'll post a video. Not really for the faint of heart with the exposure and tight switchbacks, but no problem if you run trails like Nat'l, Ranger, Bursera, etc.
[Reply]
  • + 1
caleblevoturbeavo (Jan 15, 2022 at 21:04)
Trail Alta
Did an out and back on the east side of Alta up to the Ridgeline. It's a bit of a slog up with those tight switchbacks, but back down it has its own kind of flow. I'll post a video. Not really for the faint of heart with the exposure and tight switchbacks, but no problem if you run trails like Nat'l, Ranger, Bursera, etc.
[Reply]
  • + 0
wunderlost480 (Sep 12, 2021 at 11:37)
Trail Max Delta
Not a bad little connector to loop to/from some west side trails like west nat. and ranger.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Ktobin23 (Jun 3, 2021 at 12:05)
Trail National
This is a very unique section of national. Best ridden east to west. Lots of effort is required to ride this section but the views and isolation make up for that. You are on a ridgeline most of the trail with 360 degree views of Phoenix. The trail has some tricky climbs and fast decents. Also this trail has some exposed parts but nothing too crazy. I really only ride this trail to get to eliminator but it’s is always fun.
[Reply]
  • + 0
Ktobin23 (Jun 3, 2021 at 12:05)
Trail National
This is a very unique section of national. Best ridden east to west. Lots of effort is required to ride this section but the views and isolation make up for that. You are on a ridgeline most of the trail with 360 degree views of Phoenix. The trail has some tricky climbs and fast decents. Also this trail has some exposed parts but nothing too crazy. I really only ride this trail to get to eliminator but it’s is always fun.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Eltoca21 (Mar 1, 2021 at 6:15)
Trail Alta
Lot's of hike-a-bike getting up to the top mainly cos it is very steep. Then more intermittent hike-a-bike as you make your way along the "top". When you finally get to the all-out descent you will be met with many brutal tough sharp switchbacks. There is good challenging stuff but beware of the off-camber rock slabs and general jank.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Eltoca21 (Mar 1, 2021 at 6:15)
Trail Alta
Lot's of hike-a-bike getting up to the top mainly cos it is very steep. Then more intermittent hike-a-bike as you make your way along the "top". When you finally get to the all-out descent you will be met with many brutal tough sharp switchbacks. There is good challenging stuff but beware of the off-camber rock slabs and general jank.
[Reply]
  • - 1
kalroot (Nov 21, 2020 at 13:29)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Possibly the worst rideable trail in the valley. Featureless. Machine built trails can be built to be extremely fun but here the machine is used to take all the fun out. Every corner is off camber gravel. You grind up gradient of 20° only to get to a downhill where as soon as you hit 10 mph there is a tight loose corner. It's a tragedy that a new trail like this is built with such disregard for the preferences of probably the largest group of trail users. A trail in this area was badly needed to connect West National to the trailheads near the Central avenue entrance but the trail is bad enough that I would rather just ride the road back.
[Reply]
  • - 1
kalroot (Nov 21, 2020 at 13:29)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Possibly the worst rideable trail in the valley. Featureless. Machine built trails can be built to be extremely fun but here the machine is used to take all the fun out. Every corner is off camber gravel. You grind up gradient of 20° only to get to a downhill where as soon as you hit 10 mph there is a tight loose corner. It's a tragedy that a new trail like this is built with such disregard for the preferences of probably the largest group of trail users. A trail in this area was badly needed to connect West National to the trailheads near the Central avenue entrance but the trail is bad enough that I would rather just ride the road back.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ampfrog (Jan 21, 2022 at 1:20)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Not sure what you ended up on, but it wasn't Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Ampfrog (Jan 21, 2022 at 1:20)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Not sure what you ended up on, but it wasn't Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail.
[Reply]
  • + 2
erkkilaurila (Oct 19, 2020 at 15:40)
Trail Bajada
I don't understand all the hate for Bajada. I really like Bajada and I think I like it better west to east. There are 2 or 3 short sections that I employ the ol' hike-a-bike but otherwise I enjoy the challenge of finding the flow in the jank. I just rode it again this past weekend and I still enjoyed it.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Steidlm (Oct 2, 2020 at 9:15)
Trail Bajada
I concur with HLEW! This trail is a suckfest. I did it west to east. Maybe it was because it was hot and I crushed an earlier trail, but I was beaten badly by this one! I would not classify it as a blue at all. West to East is not flowy at all, just an uphill battle through many ricky washes. There doesn't seem to be anything in the central part of Sth Mtn Preserve (at least non posted). My guess is that MTBKR1030 went east to west starting where Ranger Trail meets Bajada and then hopped on Mark Davis from the parking lot. I could see that part of the trail being decent. The ride from the west side of the preserve (where Bajada intersects National) to the east where the parking lot on San Juan Rd is your first bail out point is complete garbage!
[Reply]
  • + 0
jcroz77 (Apr 19, 2020 at 14:53)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Watch out for off leash dogs. Passed a couple this morning 4/19/20 and they had their dog off leash, refused to call their dog, and let their dog harass me on a bike. Black and White pitbull mix
[Reply]
  • + 0
jcroz77 (Apr 19, 2020 at 14:53)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Watch out for off leash dogs. Passed a couple this morning 4/19/20 and they had their dog off leash, refused to call their dog, and let their dog harass me on a bike. Black and White pitbull mix
[Reply]
  • + 1
Azrockhoppin (Feb 11, 2020 at 8:13)
Trail National
A steep and loose decent with great views. You can really open it up descending to the West because the amount of traffic you will see is very minimum.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Azrockhoppin (Feb 11, 2020 at 8:13)
Trail National
A steep and loose decent with great views. You can really open it up descending to the West because the amount of traffic you will see is very minimum.
[Reply]
  • + 2
deathpedal (Jan 25, 2020 at 19:55)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Nice way to get back to 19th avenue trail head after riding Alta or West National. It would be nice if some of the turns were banked as you can get some good speed going, beware not to slide out
[Reply]
  • + 2
deathpedal (Jan 25, 2020 at 19:55)
Trail Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Nice way to get back to 19th avenue trail head after riding Alta or West National. It would be nice if some of the turns were banked as you can get some good speed going, beware not to slide out
[Reply]
  • + 1
HLEW (Dec 23, 2019 at 15:07)
Trail Bajada
This trail is very low quality either direction. For the intended rider (blue level), it will likely be overly challenging due to loose rocks and poor traction only to elevate slowly to an absolute suckfest of frustration from walking. For an advanced or skilled rider who can handle themselves, this is a easy and boring route with only a few interesting moves through washouts. The only challenge comes from poor trail conditions and loose rock. Save yourself the time and stick to National or the more popular routes.
[Reply]
  • + 2
Quicksilver33s (Dec 20, 2019 at 20:25)
Trail Alta
This appears to be a great challenging trail with good views, but I rode it from the end of national, and it seems much better if you rode this trail counter-clockwise rather than from the end of National.
[Reply]
  • + 2
Quicksilver33s (Dec 20, 2019 at 20:25)
Trail Alta
This appears to be a great challenging trail with good views, but I rode it from the end of national, and it seems much better if you rode this trail counter-clockwise rather than from the end of National.
[Reply]
  • + 1
sjc88 (May 11, 2019 at 14:24)
Trail Alta
Note to Self - If you get any stupid ideas that involve riding this a 3rd time, try to remember what it was like the first 2.
[Reply]
  • + 1
sjc88 (May 11, 2019 at 14:24)
Trail Alta
Note to Self - If you get any stupid ideas that involve riding this a 3rd time, try to remember what it was like the first 2.
[Reply]
  • + 1
jblessin (Jul 3, 2018 at 0:08)
Trail Bajada
The direction your ride bajada makes a big difference. Westbound it is pretty flowy and fun, eastbound is a tougher go.
[Reply]
  • + 1
Mtbkr1030 (Mar 24, 2018 at 20:50)
Trail Bajada
Are you sure that you were on Bajada? This trail was wasn’t hard at all. . Lots of fun and 95% rideable singletrack.
[Reply]
  • - 1
WJS1962 (Jan 11, 2018 at 13:48)
Trail National
I do not recommend riding up the west end of National trail. I spent approximate 30 minutes cumulative time playing hike-a-bike on its steep, loose rocky path. And the Ranger downhill is less than enjoyable. Stick to National’s east end.
[Reply]
  • - 1
WJS1962 (Jan 11, 2018 at 13:48)
Trail National
I do not recommend riding up the west end of National trail. I spent approximate 30 minutes cumulative time playing hike-a-bike on its steep, loose rocky path. And the Ranger downhill is less than enjoyable. Stick to National’s east end.
[Reply]
Deleted threads/comments are hidden





Trails in Route

Crosscut2,402 ft
Max Delta2,815 ft
National1 mile
Bajada2 miles
Alta4 miles
Ma-Ha-Tuak Access1,683 ft
Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail4 miles

Details

  • Riding area
    South Mountain Preserve
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Double Black Diamond
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Extreme
More Stats for Alta National XC XXX mountain bike route
  • Altitude min
    1,254 ft
  • Altitude start
    1,265 ft
  • Altitude end
    1,325 ft
  • Grade
    0.1%
  • Grade max
    -55.6%
  • Grade min
    75.6%
  • Distance climb
    11 miles
  • Distance down
    8 miles
  • Distance flat
    2 miles
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MTB Alta Trail S. Mountain Phoenix
MTB Alta Trail S. Mountain Phoenix
trail: Alta
14:14 | 116 | comments: 0 | favs:
Apr 7, 2022
108 | comments: 0 | favs:
Jan 21, 2022

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Ma-Ha-Tuak Perimeter Trail
Dec 16, 2022 @ 7:50am
Dec 16, 2022
First time riding, so I don't have anything to compare it to. Very little horse poop. Several areas of lots of loose rock - seems normal though and certainly nothing unusual for SoMo. Rest of trail in excellent condition. Look forward to riding again.
Ma-Ha-Tuak Access
Dec 15, 2022 @ 11:50pm
Dec 15, 2022
In great shape.
Bajada
Apr 16, 2022 @ 12:24pm
Apr 16, 2022
This really isn't Blue. I think because it has sections of Green, and sections of Black, people average out to Blue. But that's really not fair to those planning a route. There is a LOT of hike-a-bike here if you are expecting a nice XC jaunt. North side needs a Desert Classic.
National
Mar 30, 2022 @ 6:33am
Mar 30, 2022
Crosscut
Jun 9, 2021 @ 6:54pm
Jun 9, 2021
Great ride!
more reports »
  • By loonrider & contributors
  • #25774 - 385 views