The best cycling routes around Leeds

The Sand Hollow loop offers a captivating touring cycling experience through Southern Utah's dramatic desert scenery. You'll pedal past vibrant red rocks and orange cliffs, with the striking turquoise waters of the Sand Hollow Reservoir providing a stunning contrast. The route is largely paved, making for a smooth ride as you take in views of the surrounding mountains and canyons.

This moderate 23.1-mile (37.2 km) ride involves about 952 feet (290 metres) of elevation gain, taking roughly 2 hours and 13 minutes to complete. The best times to visit are spring or fall for milder temperatures, though early morning rides are crucial during summer. Remember that an entrance fee is required as the route passes through Sand Hollow State Park.

What makes this loop particularly notable is the unique blend of desert and aquatic environments, where warm blue waters meet vivid red sandstone. The park is popular for its diverse outdoor activities, including the option for a refreshing swim in the reservoir after your ride, making it a distinctive outdoor destination.

The Quail Creek loop offers a truly distinctive touring cycling experience, where the deep blue waters of Quail Creek Reservoir meet the dramatic red rock formations of the desert Southwest. As you pedal, you'll witness a stunning palette of red, white, and orange cliffs, all set against the distant, majestic Pine Valley Mountains. This route is a visual feast, providing a constant interplay of color and texture that makes every mile engaging.

Prepare for a challenging ride; this difficult touring cycling route spans 29.0 miles (46.7 km) and includes a significant 1684 feet (513 metres) of elevation gain, typically requiring about 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. While it's primarily on paved surfaces, the climbs are substantial. Spring and fall are ideal for milder temperatures, though the route is accessible year-round, even holding up well in rainy conditions.

What makes this Quail Creek cycling route stand out is its unique blend of desert and water scenery, a contrast rarely found elsewhere. Beyond the ride itself, the area is known for its year-round accessibility and proximity to other recreational spots like Sand Hollow State Park, offering additional adventures should you choose to extend your trip.

The Upper JEM Trail loop from Site 1 offers a taste of classic desert cycling, winding through smooth, flowy singletrack alongside dramatic shale rock formations and mini-cliffs. You'll be treated to stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mesas, the Virgin River, and even the distant sandstone towers of Zion National Park. This 6.4-mile (10.3 km) route, with an easy difficulty rating and 437 feet (133 metres) of elevation gain, can be completed in about 57 minutes, but be ready for some rocky and technical sections that might challenge a traditional touring bicycle.

Planning your ride here means starting from a main trailhead, often referred to as Site 1, in the Hurricane Cliffs area. Since the trail is fully exposed to the sun, it's best to tackle it during the cooler morning or late afternoon hours, or in the spring and fall months, to avoid the intense summer heat. Always bring ample water, as there are no services on the trail itself, and no permits are needed for this popular cycling route.

The JEM Trail is a cornerstone of the Hurricane Cliffs trail system, celebrated as one of the first routes ridden by early mountain biking pioneers in the region. Its fast descents and breathtaking desert scenery have made it a highly regarded ride, often combined with other trails like Dead Ringer or Goosebumps for longer adventures. This loop provides a fantastic introduction to the area's unique geology and vibrant desert ecosystem.