Marathon Trail

Marathon Trail isn't a single signed footpath — it's the local name for the long dirt route connecting Brian Head to Duck Creek Village and Navajo Lake, mostly forest road with stretches of singletrack woven in. Riders use it to get between the two areas without spending miles on Highway 143, typically starting near Brian Head Peak on the Sidney Peaks trail and finishing at Duck Creek or Navajo Lake campgrounds. At 24-plus miles it's a full day in the saddle, usually done shuttle-supported rather than as an out-and-back.

What to know

• Point-to-point route of 24+ miles, mixing singletrack and forest road
• Best ridden July through September, once high-elevation snow has cleared
• Brian Head Resort offers shuttle service between trailheads with advance notice
• Navigation is a real factor — the route isn't fully signed end to end, and route-finding skills help
• Dixie National Forest (USFS) land — multi-use, no permit needed