The Highline Trail
TOUR DESCRIPTION
The 63-mile Highline National Recreation Trail winds beneath Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, offering breathtaking views and a rich history dating back to the 1800s. Once used for cattle drives, it was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1978 and now welcomes hikers, bikers, and horseback riders year-round. Over time, erosion, fire damage, and steep terrain created safety and watershed concerns. In response, the National Forest Foundation, Tonto National Forest, and community partners launched the Highline Trail Restoration Initiative in 2020. The completed project included major reroutes and repairs to improve safety, reduce erosion, and protect water quality in the Salt River system. Today, the restored trail is a sustainable, scenic destination enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
The Highline National Recreation Trail is a classic Arizona ride that rewards mountain bikers with nonstop scenery and engaging terrain across its full 63 miles of flowing singletrack. Traversing the dramatic Mogollon Rim country just outside of Payson, the trail delivers sweeping forested vistas, rocky overlooks, and long stretches of fast, ribbon-like trail that seem to disappear into the horizon. One of Highline’s defining features is its frequent water crossings—creeks and seasonal streams that break up the ride with cool splashes, shaded rest points, and a true sense of backcountry immersion. With constant visual variety, rolling climbs, and a rhythm that keeps riders engaged mile after mile, Highline offers an unforgettable endurance-style mountain bike experience that feels wild, remote, and deeply rewarding. On the final day, you’ll ride the 20-mile Pine Loop around Pine, AZ.
Arrival Day
Our meeting point for this trip is Pine, AZ at the Pine Trailhead (also Arizona Trail). The day before the trip starts you can pick up a cooler (if needed) from us in Payson, AZ to do your shopping for the week. We recommend staying in Payson the night before and head to Pine in the morning, but it’s up to you!
Day 1:
We will meet at the Pine Trailhead in Pine, AZ at 7:30am and shuttle to the start (about 30 mins) at the 260 Trailhead - the eastern terminus of the Highline Trail. The first three miles of the Highline heading west from the trailhead are a mix of punchy climbs and short downhill sections. After the intersection of the Drew Trail, the Highline drops significantly into the Christopher Creek drainage. After crossing Christopher Creek, you’ll climb up out of the Canyon and be treated to amazing views, red rock sections, and ponderosa pines, before dropping into the Horton Creek area. Take a break and hike the short trail upstream to where this creek flows straight out of the side of the Mogollon Rim. After climbing out of the Horton Creek riders will weave through old growth ponderosa trees before dropping into and crossing Tonto Creek, which is the camp spot for the first night. Total mileage for the day is 20 miles with 2250 feet of climbing.
Day 2:
Day two starts with a short climb out of Tonto Creek up on to Robert’s Mesa, and then winds right at the base of the Mogollon Rim in some incredibly scenic remote stretches of Arizona high country. Day two has you traverse red rock sections, slip in and out of flowy sideslope, and rewards you with 360 degree views of the Rim Country. You’ll cross Ellison, Myrtle, and Bonita Creek, and finish the day on the East Verde River, which will be your camping spot for the night. Total mileage for the day is 23.5 with 2300 ft of climbing.
Day 3:
Day three your ride continues along the Highline with a short climb out of the East River, and then a punchy climb out of the Mail Creek drainage. Your views get even better today as you ride below massive rock outcroppings and get unobstructed views of the Mataztal and Sierra Ancha Mountains, and you’ll even get to see Payson to the south as you pass Red Rock Spring. Your climbing will be rewarded with a super fun downhill stretch into Webber Creek, and a 3 mile downhill burner into the Pine Trailhead, where you’ll camp for the night. Total mileage for the day is 21 miles with 1870 feet of climbing. This stretch of the Highline is also Passage 26 of the Arizona Trail, but this is where you say goodbye to the Highline and begin your next day on the Pine/Strawberry Loop. Tonight’s camp is just outside Pine, AZ so feel free to ride into town to the brewery or wood fired pizza spot….or both!
Day 4:
You’ll begin day four at the Pine Trailhead and head north on the Pine Canyon Trail. As you climb above the town of Pine, you’ll encounter a segment rightfully named “The Curious Case of the Never Ending Climb.” It’s worth the effort as you’ll be rewarded with amazing views and endless pine trees. After dropping into Pine Creek, you’ll cross a bridge over this gentle stream and head southwest on the Bearfoot Trail. This is a mix of pines, high desert manzanita, and oak groves. Once you’ve completed the Bearfoot, you’ll cross Highway 87 and get on the Pine/Strawberry Trail (Trail 15). This trail has recently had a facelift, and you’ll love the high banked turns, gradual climbs, and flowy downhill stretches, all while enjoying the views above Pine. At the end of Trail 15, you’ll hop on a dirt road (Hardscrabble Road) and head west for only 20 yards or so before hopping on the Two Ravens Trail. This is a great finish to your day as it blasts back down into Pine. Total mileage for the day is 20.5 miles with 2400 ft of climbing.
What’s Included
> Shuttle Van and driver
> Luggage, gear and cooler/food relocation
> Camp kitchen and general gear
Not Included
> Alcoholic Beverages – we can haul and keep them cold though!
> Lodging
> Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
> Weather Control – Mother Nature has a mind of her own
Payson, AZ is about an hour and 45 minutes north of Phoenix, AZ. We recommend flying into Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport if you’re not driving in.
GALLERY / PHOTOS
