Where To Hit The Trails in Amarillo With Your Bike

When I found out I was moving to Amarillo, I got excited at the thought of the wide open spaces of the Panhandle. Because I'm from El Paso, I'm used to mountain trails and desert riding. There is nothing I love more than being out in the country. You learn to appreciate nature a little more if you've spent a good chunk of time in big cities like Austin and San Antonio.

Get our free mobile app

But up here, drive about thirty minutes outside Amarillo and you're smack dab in the middle of a wide open countryside. You can do an awful lot of things with all this room--like biking. What better place than the spread out flat landscape of the panhandle? Here's a few places where you can hit the trails on your bike and get the most out of this place.

Pitcher Pump

Pitcher pump offers 9 miles worth of trail riding on the High Plains just west of town on the other side of Soncy Road. To get there, take SW 9th until you make a sharp left, leading you right in. These trails offer great beginner and intermediate riding with dips and a few drainage areas that are well maintained by the Girl Scouts of Amarillo.

Palo Duro

I can do an entire article about this place! it's simply amazing because you have so many trail options and terrains to choose from. There is one downside, you do have to share most of the trails with hikers as well as the occasional mule and it can get crowded during peak tourist times but it's a great challenge.

Wildcat Bluff

Not exactly a bike trail unless you use the Old Soncy Road Trail that parallels the highway. Its a straight 8-mile trek through the hills. Good for a quick stretch when you just need to get out.

Cross Bar Management Area

There is a lot of potential for mountain biking here and trails are starting to develop but this looks like it's still some time off in the future before you can get two wheels out here.

Rick Klein Sports Complex

Not too long ago, the City of Amarillo approved a project that would add 15 miles of bike trails to the Rick Klein Sports Complex in southeast Amarillo. A local group, Six Pack Outdoors, has completed the first six miles and they are open and ready for riding.

It's a community wide effort

Six Pack Outdoors has been able to do the work on the trails with the help of community volunteers who helped clean up trash and debris. They also partnered with WTAMU who provided machinery in order to clear paths.

There's more coming

While the initial 6 miles are now open, Six Pack Outdoors has plans to add water crossings, bridges, and other features. They are on track to complete the remaining portion of trails over the next few months. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with this group and their bike trail mission, the best way to reach them is on facebook

Projects like these public-private partnerships make Amarillo such a cool place to be and hopefully more are on the horizon. See you out on the trail!