Overall Route Rating
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3.45 out of 5 Rider Rating 3.45
41 Reviews

Tortilla Flat

Motorcycle Route Author

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By 18Bravo (5 McR Points) on Dec 30, 2011

Rider Reviews

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fairbanksdmt
6 McR Points
February 11, 2017
This road simply put is a total waste of time for…
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mudbug63
2 McR Points
June 21, 2018
As of 6/9/18 this road has been resurfaced. Nice…
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Written Directions

Begin at the Old West Highway and Apache Trail in Apache Junction, Arizona. Take Apache Trail Northeast and stay of Apache Trail. The route ends a couple of miles past Tortilla Flat where the pavement turns to a dirt road. If you have an enduro bike, feel free to continue on the dirt road all the way to Roosevelt lake, otherwise turn around and have lunch at Tortilla Flat.

Scenery

This route covers scenic desert landscapes with desert mountains and even Canyon Lake. If you continue on the graded dirt road there are high wall canyons and some of the most beautiful scenic areas you can find in Arizona. But I don't recommend the dirt road for street bikes. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: RUNS THRU DESERT CANYONS BEGINNING ON FLAT STRETCH PASS GOLDFIELD MINE GHOST TOWN INTO INCREDIBLE UP AND DOWN TURNS, SWITCHBACKS AND PASS CANYON LAKE TO TORTILLA FLATS.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is curvy with a few switchbacks and one lane bridges. The pavement is decent. The dirt road is only recommended for enduro style bikes. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: 4 MILE BEGINNING OF FLAT AND STRAIGHT LEADS TO UN-ENDING SERIES OF HILLY TURNS, SOME SWEEPING AND SOME DEALY HAIRPINS. PAVEMENT GOOD EXCEPT STEEP FALLOFF ON SOFT SHOULDERS ON THE CANYON LANE SIDE. FEW SECTIONS OF GUARDRAILS ON SHOULDER LANE SIDE OF THIS 2-LANER.

Tourism Opportunities

Fun little stage coach stop in Tortilla Flat. The food and ice cream is good. Other than that, nothing but scenery to stop for. HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: NOTHING TO STOP YOU BUT GOLDFIELD MINE GHOST TOWN AT THE BEGINNING, 1 VISTA POINT, CANYON LAKE MARINA BRIDGE AND TORTILLA FLATS RESTAURANT AT THE END OF THE RIDE.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

HDBIKERRIDER added the following in Nov of 2013: NOT A BEGINNER ROAD!! ABSOLUTELY DO NOT TRY THIS RUN IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN A DAY OR LOOKS LIKE IT WILL THAT DAY (RAINS ARE TREACHEROUS IN AZ)
 

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rm4two
January 20, 2016
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport
This has to be one of the worst stretches of paved roads in AZ! It's terrible at best and dangerous at worst! From potholes to sand & gravel to sheer cliffs and no guardrails; this road is a recipe for disaster. I've ridden dirtbike trails that were safer. The road truly looks like it hasn't been maintained in 20 years. I wouldn't recommend this ride to my worse enemy! Anything short of a 4x4 or your grandma's Cadi is asking for trouble. While the scenic views are spectacular they are not worth it IMO. If you have a two wheeled vehicle and you're thinking of taking a ride to Tortilla Flats, do yourself and favor and don't!
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Guest
November 29, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
The pavement condition to Tortillas Flats is BRUTAL!!!
You can't come close to enjoying that what could be nice road because of that. I won't be back until it's newly paved.
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Guest
October 25, 2013
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
I've ridden over 250k miles, mostly in Arizona. The road to Tortilla Flats used to be one of my favs. It's close, and has a fun amount of curves and pretty scenery. I hadn't taken that ride in about 15 years. I recently started riding again and decided to go to my favorite nearby road. (Tortilla Flats) Boy was I disappointed. It's just a crumbled shadow of its former self. So bumpy and full of loose, deteriorating tarmac that I couldn't even enjoy the ride! I don't know if there are any plans on resurfacing it but I will not be back until they do. Really not enjoyable at all it's so bad.
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