The Verde Valley Circle Trail will be a 180-mile bikepacking loop in Arizona

The Verde Valley Circle Trail, a new 180-mile bikepacking route primarily comprising singletrack, is currently under construction in Arizona. This ambitious project aims to create a continuous loop around the Verde Valley, offering a significant new destination for off-road cyclists. While no specific completion date was provided, its development marks a substantial addition to the burgeoning bikepacking infrastructure in the American Southwest.

This development is significant given the increasing popularity of bikepacking and adventure cycling, particularly in regions offering diverse and challenging terrain. Arizona, with its extensive network of trails and scenic landscapes, is already a magnet for such endeavors. The creation of a dedicated, long-distance singletrack loop positions the Verde Valley as a premier destination, potentially drawing considerable tourism and economic activity to the region, much like other established multi-day routes have done elsewhere.

Another 180 miles of singletrack in Arizona. One can almost hear the collective sigh of relief from gear manufacturers, who now have another justification for their ever-expanding range of "adventure-ready" components.