About This Route
The Apache Trail east of Phoenix traverses Sonoran desert and Superstition Mountain Wilderness. Part paved, part graded dirt, the route passes ghost towns and spectacular lakes.
Why ride Apache Trail
Apache Trail sits in Arizona, USA, and earns its place on this guide for a simple reason: it gives riders something most roads can't — scenery that genuinely makes you stop the bike, with a rhythm that suits a relaxed touring pace.
Across roughly 65 kilometres of mixed, you'll get a real feel for what riding in this corner of USA is about. It's not the longest route in the region and it isn't trying to be — it's a focused, high-quality stretch that rewards riders who take their time.
What the riding actually feels like
On a advanced-rated road like this one, treat this as a road for experienced riders. Tight hairpins, exposure, mixed surfaces and unpredictable traffic mean it punishes complacency. If you're newer to mountain riding, ride it slowly the first time, take breaks, and don't chase anyone.
Read the road first, then commit. The combination of surface, sightlines and traffic on this route rewards a smooth, relaxed pace far more than aggressive corner entries. The route's twistiness rating of 3/5 and scenic rating of 4/5 give a fair indication of where to focus: more on letting the landscape unfold than on chasing apex after apex.
Best time of year to ride
The honest window is October-April. In practical terms, this route really shines in autumn — golden light, fewer cars and tarmac that's still warm enough for confident cornering. If you only have a narrow weather window, aim for a weekday rather than a weekend — you'll share the road with far fewer cars and tour buses, and the popular pull-offs won't be jammed.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Apache Junction, Globe. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Tortilla Flat are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Dirt road; Heat; Flash floods.
- Dirt sections
- Remote location
- Flash floods
- Roughly the eastern half of SR88 is unpaved gravel with the steep, narrow Fish Creek Hill — it is not a suitable street/touring-motorcycle route; the fire/flood-damaged section reopened in 2024 but can re-close, so check az511.gov, and avoid the extreme summer heat.
Who this route suits
Apache Trail works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, experienced riders confident on technical terrain, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Adventure, Dual-Sport, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Check road conditions
- Dirt section adds adventure
- Tortilla Flat is quirky stop