For riders looking to test their off-pavement skills, High Lonesome Road is a quintessential gateway to technical desert riding just outside Bisbee. This 11-mile stretch offers a “slightly more than beginner” challenge, serving as the perfect litmus test for those planning to tackle more difficult intermediate routes in the area.
Starting just a few miles from downtown Bisbee, leave town heading east on US 80 and turn left onto Double Adobe Road to reach the start. The route begins as a fast-paced, graded dirt road but quickly transitions into a rough, rocky two-track. You will encounter several small sand washes and loose, rocky sections that require focused balance and throttle control.
Rated as Intermediate, it is a great place to “get into easy technical riding” without feeling overwhelmed. Expect vast, “high lonesome” views of the desert floor, with wide-open horizons that define the rugged beauty of Southeast Arizona. This road is a vital link to larger adventures, including the Chiricahua Mountains Loop, the Tombstone Loop, and the Hotwell Dunes Loop.
Details
- Location: Just to the east of Bisbee
- Distance: 11 miles
- Gas: Bisbee
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Road Surface: paved, dirt, sand, washes
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Connects to: Hotwell Dunes Loop, Tombstone Loop, Middlemarch-Ghost Town Loop, Chiricahua Mountains Loop
