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Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab

Hard

3.3

(6)

riders

Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab

02:56

42.3km

380m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 20, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 7.26 km for 108 m

After 7.79 km for 108 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.46 km

Moab

Highlight • Settlement

Moab is a popular destination for road cyclists, with beautiful rides through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Beyond cycling, the town attracts tourists with its vibrant outdoor culture, red rock landscapes, and endless adventure opportunities.

Tip by

5.91 km

Matrimony Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

Beautiful area

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.58 km

Courthouse Wash Pictograph Panel

Highlight • Historical Site

The Courthouse Wash Pictographs are a series incredible pictographs (images painted onto the wall) by many different indigenous peoples of the course of centuries. This remarkable panel stretches along a 100-meter section of cliff side. The oldest images are somewhere between at least 1,500 and 4,000 years old, and are in the Barrier Canyon Style, a distinctive artistic form that is primarily found in the San Rafael Swell and Canyonlands National Park. Other carved images were likely added by the Fremont people in about 1000-1200 AD. The newest type of historical images on the panel depict people on horseback, and are attributed to the Navajos or Utes beginning in the 16th century. Unfortunately, although the Courthouse Wash Pictographs were placed on National Register of Historic Places in 1976, this amazing site was vandalized in 1980. It has since been restored and protected by the National Park for you to enjoy and marvel at this part of ancient history.

Tip by

7.92 km

Courthouse Wash pictograph panel

Highlight • Historical Site

The Courthouse Wash Pictographs are a series of incredible pictographs (images painted onto the wall) by many different indigenous peoples of the course of centuries. This remarkable panel stretches along a 100-meter section of cliff side. The oldest images are somewhere between at least 1,500 and 4,000 years old, and are in the Barrier Canyon Style, a distinctive artistic form that is primarily found in the San Rafael Swell and Canyonlands National Park. Other carved images were likely added by the Fremont people in about 1000-1200 AD. The newest type of historical images on the panel depict people on horseback, and are attributed to the Navajos or Utes beginning in the 16th century. Unfortunately, although the Courthouse Wash Pictographs were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, this amazing site was vandalized in 1980. It has since been restored and protected by the National Park for you to enjoy and marvel at this part of ancient history.

Tip by

8.00 km

Courthouse Wash

Highlight • River

This spot is just above where Courthouse Wash meets with the Colorado River. Just a few hundred feet away from the wash are the famous Courthouse Wash Pictographs, a large panel of ancient pictographs (images painted on to the wall versus chipped) that extends over a 100-meter section of the cliff base.

Tip by

11.7 km

Arches National Park Visitor Center

Highlight • Rest Area

You can get amazing views without ever going past the visitor center, but you're also allowed to bike down the main park road if you like. Or, for a different but equally scenic experience, you can bike the paved roadside path between here and Moab.

Tip by

33.2 km

Moab Canyon Pathway

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

This paved, off-the-road bike trail runs all the way from just north of Moab to the entrance for Arches National Park, and a few miles beyond. If you have enough power in your quads, you can even use this as a link-up to ride all the way to Canyonlands National Park.

Tip by

36.5 km

Bridge over the Colorado River

Highlight • Bridge

The bridge crosses the mighty Colorado River and is only accessible via non-motorized vehicle or on foot. From here you get fantastic views down the river, which is surrounded on both sides by steep sandstone walls. This is a beautiful spot to take photos and admire the views.

Tip by

42.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

27.7 km

8.01 km

2.67 km

1.51 km

1.41 km

650 m

342 m

Surfaces

32.1 km

9.81 km

300 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,410 m)

Lowest point (1,210 m)

Weather

Today

Monday 6 July

37°C

24°C

14 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

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Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Description

If you're looking for a truly varied and challenging ride near Moab, the Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab offers a difficult touring cycling experience that spans 26.3 miles (42.3 km) with 1260 feet (384 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 55 minutes. This route isn't your average paved path; it's best suited for experienced cyclists prepared to tackle both smooth asphalt and rugged, unpaved sections.

What to expect on Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab

This loop is a tale of two distinct terrains. You'll start on the smooth, paved Moab Canyon Pathway, which follows the southern border of Arches National Park, treating you to

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Courthouse Wash – Moab Canyon Pathway loop from Moab

Moab

Matrimony Spring

Courthouse Wash Pictograph Panel

Courthouse Wash pictograph panel

Courthouse Wash

Arches National Park Visitor Center

Moab Canyon Pathway

Bridge over the Colorado River

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