PARK CITY — Whether you’ve been an expert at mountain biking or just starting out, there’s no doubt you’ll find the perfect track for you in Utah. More specifically, Park City provides an incredible variety of trails. Exploring the trails in Park City is what has made Utah a destination for bikers from all over the world.

Rick Fournier, trails manger for the Mountain Trails Foundation, has been mountain biking for over 20 years. With most of his 18 years of experience riding on Park City trails.

“Working on the local trails for the past 10 years with Mountain Trails Foundation has been a pretty awesome gig," he said. "We've got such an amazing and varied trail system here, and its continued progression with directional, flow and downhill trails has been really fun to watch.”

For Rick Fournier, it’s apparent to see that his passion for riding extends beyond the bike. With each of the trails provided, he is sure to mention the beauty from the trails and for good reason.

“Every time I go to some other riding destination, I can't help but think to myself — we've got it pretty good here.”

He cautions riders, however, to be aware of how few beginner trails there are.

“Honestly, there's not a lot of what I would consider true beginner single track, but definitely some family-friendly paved and soft-surface options and easier single track in Round Valley.”

Below is a list of trails with different levels of difficulty, provided by Fournier.

Photo credit: KSL-TV Graphics

Beginner rides

Silver Quinn/Rambler Loop (Round Valley):

Length: 4 miles

Time: 1-2 hours

Trailhead: Quinn's Trailhead (FJ Gilmor Way off of Kearns Boulevard).

This loop offers beginner riders the opportunity to start on a wide paved trail for the first half of the ride and a more challenging rolling single-track trail for the second half of the ride. There are a few sections with some loose rock and tighter turns that might require a beginner to get off of their bike for a short distance, but for the most part the trail flows at a moderate grade and is pretty straight forward.

The Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail:

Length: Up to 27 miles

Time: Unlimited

Trailhead(s): Park City — parking lot G3 off of Prospector Avenue or the Promontory Trailhead (Silver Summit Exit behind Home Depot). There are also trailheads in Wanship and Coalville off of I-80.

If you’re looking for a great family friendly and/or leisurely bike cruise, a chance to see beaver dens and bald eagles or enjoy the history of the American West, be sure to check out the “Rail Trail.” You can spend a few hours or an entire day roaming along wetlands and river valleys, taking in historical points of interest along the way. (Note: there are 17 historic plaques along the route from Park City to Echo.)

Intermediate rides

Armstrong (multiple loop options):

Length: 4-10 miles

Time: 1-3 hours

Trailhead: lower lot at the base of Park City Mountain Resort (Lowell Avenue/Silver King Drive)

Armstrong has become the "go-to" intermediate ride in Park City for a number of reasons. Besides being a killer trail, it has the added benefits of being "uphill only" for bikes (which means no worries on the climb except for your fitness level). On top of that, it can be tied together with several other great trails to create endless loop possibilities of varying lengths.

Related:

New hiking, biking trails to hit Utah in 2015

Utah boasts a myriad of hiking and biking trails, which attract both locals and tourists from around the world each year. Each year, new trails are under construction, and 2015 will see several more trails open across the Beehive State.

Mid-Mountain Trail:Length: Up to 23 miles

Time: Unlimited

Trailhead: For a "point to point," leave one vehicle at Canyons Resort and start at Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley. You can also climb up to Mid-Mountain from Jenni's, or Armstrong at Park City Mountain Resort provides a number of great loop options.

The Mid-Mountain Trail (an IMBA Epic) is the premier trail in the area as well as the primary artery that ties this massive trail system together. For over 20 miles, through open meadows and stands of aspen and spruce, Mid-Mountain traverses through Park City’s three world-class resorts — Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort, all the while hovering around the 8,000-foot contour. Along the way you'll experience amazing views of the valley below and the Uinta Mountains off in the distance. (Note: For the point to point you'll be descending Ambush and Holly's once you reach Canyons Resort)

Expert rides:

Sweeny's Switchbacks/John's/Mid Mountain/CMG

Length: 13-plus miles.

Time: 2-3 hours

Trailhead: First Time (lower) lot at the base of Park City Mountain Resort (Lowell Avenue/Silver King Drive)

If you're looking for a great technical ride, this one will check all the boxes. Sweeny's switchbacks its way up and under the Town Lift, forcing you to negotiate numerous rock gardens where line choice is key. John's meanders upward through a beautiful and tight aspen grove — at times leading you to believe that the trail has got to cross itself — but somehow it doesn't. You'll be tested once again as you maneuver up short, steep switchbacks and over exposed roots until you finally pop out near the top of the Town Lift. Stop for a minute to catch your breath and enjoy the great view of Jupiter Peak. Then follow signs to Mid-Mountain (turn right) where you'll traverse across Park City Mountain Resort and descend to the Claimjumper service road. Just downhill on Claimjumper, you'll see the sign for Crescent Mine Grade — "CMG." CMG is a great downhill that starts off as tight old-school single-track and finishes up at the base of PCMR with some fun turns that will put a smile on your face.

The Park City Epic — Wasatch Crest/Mid-Mountain.

Length: 30 miles

Time: All Day

Trailhead: First Time (lower) lot at the base of Park City Mountain Resort (Lowell Avenue/Silver King Drive)

There's a reason why this ride was recently designated as an International Mountain Biking Association epic ride. It's quite simply one of the best rides in the country and it will most definitely test your legs and your lungs with more than 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Pack plenty of water and energy bars for this one.

Starting on Silver Spur out of the base of Park City Mountain Resort, you'll climb for 10 miles, up to the Wasatch Crest via the Armstrong, Mid-Mountain and the Pinecone Ridge trails before emerging at the top of "Puke Hill." You'll be ascending through stands of oak, maples, aspen and conifers up to high alpine, treeless ridge tops with incredible 360-degree views of the Wasatch Range. Along the way you'll descend "The Spine," a long steep rock outcropping that most will "hike-a-bike." Once you've ridden the crest, you'll descend to the Mid-Mountain Trail via the Ridge Connector. You'll then take Mid-Mountain back towards PCMR, traversing across Canyons Resort and Iron Mountain before returning to the PCMR base area on Spiro. (Note: You can shorten this ride significantly by shuttling a vehicle to Canyons Resort base area and descending Mid-Mountain, Ambush and Holly's.)

Jessica Kaing is a student at the University of Utah and a social media intern for ksl.com. Email her at socialintern@deseretdigital.com.

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