The Markagunt Plateau is a high-elevation region in southern Utah, characterized by its unique volcanic geology and extensive forested landscapes. This area features numerous cinder cones, ancient lava flows, and natural formations, including scenic lakes like Navajo Lake and the dramatic cliffs of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Largely encompassed by the Dixie National Forest, the Markagunt Plateau offers diverse terrain suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, jogging, and more. Its varied ecosystems, from juniper-pinyon woodlands to…
139
Routes
4.7
(1742)
Average rating
23647
People visited

4.9
(348)
4,457
hikers
7.20km
03:41
530m
530m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.9
(41)
849
hikers
1.71km
00:29
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(63)
1,028
hikers
3.18km
01:06
150m
160m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(152)
2,126
hikers
5.89km
01:53
240m
240m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
201
riders
13.9km
01:03
200m
160m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.9
(18)
677
riders
25.0km
01:51
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
5.12km
00:19
40m
40m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
16.9km
01:19
440m
440m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
82
riders
36.9km
03:21
560m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(7)
209
riders
33.3km
03:00
400m
400m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
186
riders
26.8km
02:25
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
139
riders
16.3km
01:29
200m
200m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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13
riders
19.5km
01:06
360m
360m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

11
riders
72.4km
03:31
980m
980m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

2
riders
16.8km
00:45
160m
160m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

54
riders
14.7km
00:44
140m
140m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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2
runners
4.88km
00:37
90m
90m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
11.0km
01:21
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

1
runners
17.5km
02:09
250m
250m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8.72km
01:02
220m
220m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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12.2km
00:59
80m
80m
Hard gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
53.4km
04:23
900m
900m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
21.3km
01:40
230m
230m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
56.4km
04:57
1,340m
1,340m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Markagunt Plateau offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Jogging, Road cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features over 350 routes across these sports. Its diverse landscape, shaped by volcanic activity and covered by the Dixie National Forest, provides varied terrain for exploration.
The Markagunt Plateau offers numerous hiking trails, with 190 routes available on komoot. Popular areas include Cedar Breaks National Monument, featuring trails like the Ramparts Trail and Spectra Point. The Alpine Pond trail also provides a scenic route through alpine forests. For more options, explore Hiking in the Markagunt Plateau.
Yes, the Markagunt Plateau features easy hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. These trails often wind through high-elevation forests or explore unique volcanic features. Specific easy routes can be found in the guide Easy hikes in the Markagunt Plateau.
The Markagunt Plateau provides several family-friendly hiking options. These trails are generally less strenuous and offer opportunities for all ages to enjoy the natural surroundings. A dedicated guide for these routes is available at Family-friendly hikes in the Markagunt Plateau.
Mountain biking is a prominent activity in the Markagunt Plateau, particularly around Brian Head. This area offers extensive singletrack options for mountain bikers. Over 55 mountain biking routes are available in the region. More information can be found in the guide MTB Trails in the Markagunt Plateau.
The Markagunt Plateau offers diverse cycling routes, including options for Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. Scenic byways like Utah State Route 14, 143, and 148 provide picturesque routes through Cedar Canyon and past landmarks like Navajo Lake. For more details, refer to Cycling in the Markagunt Plateau and Road Cycling Routes in the Markagunt Plateau.
The Markagunt Plateau is characterized by its volcanic geology, featuring cinder cones, lava flows, and unique formations. Notable features include Navajo Lake, formed by ancient lava flows, and lava tubes such as Mammoth Cave and the Duck Creek Lava Tube. Cedar Breaks National Monument, with its colorful eroded rock formations, is also a significant natural landmark.
Much of the Markagunt Plateau is within the Dixie National Forest, which generally allows dogs on trails, often requiring them to be leashed. Specific regulations may vary by area, especially within Cedar Breaks National Monument. It is advisable to check local signage or the U.S. Forest Service website for the most current rules.
The Markagunt Plateau is a popular destination on komoot, with over 173,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars from more than 13,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the area.
Komoot offers several guides for the Markagunt Plateau, covering various activities and interests. These include Hiking in the Markagunt Plateau, Family-friendly hikes, Easy hikes, and MTB Trails. Guides for cycling, running, and specific features like waterfalls are also available.
As the Markagunt Plateau is a geographical region, there is no single official website for the entire area. However, much of the plateau is managed by the Dixie National Forest. Information can be found on the U.S. Forest Service website, specifically at fs.usda.gov/dixie. For Cedar Breaks National Monument, information is available on the National Park Service website.
Yes, the Markagunt Plateau offers opportunities for waterfall hikes. These trails lead to scenic cascades within the region's diverse landscapes. A specific guide for these routes is available at Waterfall hikes in the Markagunt Plateau.
The highest point in the Markagunt Plateau is Brian Head Peak. It reaches an elevation of 11,307 feet (3,446 meters). This peak offers elevated views and features a transition from juniper-pinyon woodlands to alpine forests.
Public transport options to trailheads in the Markagunt Plateau are limited. The region is primarily accessed by private vehicle. However, komoot does offer a guide for Hikes from bus stations in the Markagunt Plateau, which may provide some options.

