If you’re looking for a thrill on the trail, or an opportunity to challenge your riding abilities, look no further than Cochise County. From flowy canyon riverbeds to rocky technical descents, the trails around this area have a lot of fun to offer! It’s no surprise there is a thriving community of avid mountain bikers in this picturesque playground.
Start your adventure by flying into Tucson or linking it into an epic southwest road trip. However you travel, you may need to rent a bike. So head down to Sierra Vista, where you will find M&M Cycling for bike rentals, or Sun & Spokes Bicycle Shop if you need any other bike tuning services or last minute supplies. Sierra Vista also offers a variety of restaurants and lodging options for your stay. Once you’ve gotten your bearings, consider heading out for a sunset cruise from Garden Canyon Linear Park to Brown Canyon Ranch following the Perimeter Trail. This flat, 2-mile out-and-back will give you a sense of the area and a taste of what’s to come!
Fuel up for the day by heading over to the Landmark Cafe for a hearty breakfast. By mid-morning you’re going to be ready to hit the trail, so head towards Brown Canyon Ranch, just a few miles west of Sierra Vista. The trail starts at the former Brown Canyon Ranch homestead, which is now a place for visitors to walk through and see what ranch living might have been like in the early 1900’s. Take a stroll through the grounds yourself for a glimpse into the past. Then set in on the 6-mile loop that will take you through steep climbs, exhilarating downhills, and some technical rock gardens. You may find yourself even wanting to take a second lap!
After your time at Brown Canyon Ranch, come back into town for a filling lunch at the Angry German. Their dishes are hearty and are sure to fuel you up for the next leg of the day (also, don’t miss out on the pie!).
Next stop, the Cooper Loop. This 10-mile trail is just south of town and is a nice step up from Brown Canyon Ranch in difficulty. Start by heading out on the Perimeter Trail, and enjoy the ride as you weave and wind through shaded stretches of forest, over rocky creeks, and through deserts and grasslands. Stop for a water break at one of the many overlooks that offer sweeping views into the valley below. Take in the golden hour as you wrap up your ride and head back up to Sierra Vista. Pizzeria Mimosa is right on the way, a perfect dining opportunity to recover after an exciting day of riding.
There are two options for how you approach your next day of biking. The first choice is an adventurous ride on the Stronghold Loop. It takes about an hour and a half to drive there from Sierra Vista, but this unique environment is well worth the trip. The 26-mile loop through the epic area known as Cochise Stronghold is tucked into the rock gardens and desert landscape of the Dragoon Mountains. The Stronghold Loop is seen as an adventure ride because of its varying degrees of difficulty, hike and bike sections, terrain that varies from deep sand to gravel roads, and incredible views all around. Be prepared to be out all day and probably have the place to yourself!
If you’re looking for a more “choose your own adventure” style rather than committing to a big loop, an alternative option is the Hunter Canyon Trail. This is actually a network of trails that accumulate to roughly 17 miles of exploration and variety. Twisting turns, flowy ridges, and exhilarating climbs and descents make up this pedaling playground. Choose one, two, or all three of the loop options that offer a range of difficulties for an exciting day of biking.
You won’t go wrong with either option, especially if you top off the day with a great meal and beverage in town.
After a well-deserved rest and a slow start to the morning, grab breakfast at Caffe O-Le. Remember to stop by M&M Cycling to return your bikes, if you rented them, as you head out to your next great adventure in Cochise County!
