Looking back to the west on the Bifur trail. The trail is angling a bit downhill here. Photos and trail review by Bruce on September 4, 2024. Latest update August 1, 2025.
Looking back to the west on the Bifur trail. The trail is angling a bit downhill here. Photos and trail review by Bruce on September 4, 2024. Latest update August 1, 2025.
Dwarf Trails
Bofur's Climb, Bifur, Nori, Hobbiton Bypass, and Dori

This page discusses an expert-level hand-built singletrack route consisting of five short trails. Bofur's Climb is a one-way uphill that connects to the two-way Bifur trail, which in turn leads to Nori which takes you to Dori. This route extends from Middle Earth (at the spot where Frodo's Playground crosses) to southern Rivendell at Chop'd Coyote, then further south to Myrtle where Tom Bombadil ends. These trail segments are called the Dwarf Trails.

Bofur's Climb was built in 2024, with revisions and additions in 2025 so that a narrow expert-level singletrack -- with the upper portion of Bofur's Climb renamed as Bifur -- now extends south through the new trails Nori and Dori. This combined southbound route is 2.3 miles and due to up-and-down riding will have 650 feet of overall climbing.

Heading east through volcanic debris. At times the trail is a bit faint in 2024.
Heading east through volcanic debris. At times the trail is a bit faint in 2024.
A challenging spot with drop-offs and off-camber riding on very rough volcanic breccia.
A challenging spot with drop-offs and off-camber riding on very rough volcanic breccia.
Beginning at the bottom of Dofur's Climb, this route has connections to the upper UVU Connector, Rivendell (Upper Riverview) at the bottom of Chop'd Coyote, Hobbiton Bypass and Hobbiton Hill, then again to Myrtle (Upper Riverview) at the bottom of Tom Bombadil. It can fit into several different ride plans.

Many riders are now using Dori -- and sometimes Nori plus or minus Bifur -- as a continuation of technical riding after descending Tom Bombadil. When riding northbound on Bifur, you'll turn right on upper Bofur's Climb to the UVU Connector. When done northbound, the combination of Dori, a portion of the Hobbiton Bypass trail, then Nori, then Bifur, then upper Bofur over to the UVU Connector trail, is 2 miles.

These trails are hand-cut narrow singletrack that pass through several igneous rock outcrops. While there are some sections of smooth wide trail and some banked turns, most of the trail is raw and bumpy. The route is the only black-diamond climb in the Coyote riding area, and it deserves this rating.
Rolling over outcrops of Breccia on Nori. The continuing trail can be seen across the ravine.
Rolling over outcrops of Breccia on Nori. The continuing trail can be seen across the ravine.
Getting a bit higher on the mountain, still heading east, in an area of soil and embedded boulders of mixed type.
Getting a bit higher on the mountain, still heading east, in an area of soil and embedded boulders of mixed type.

This expert singletrack makes a good loop when combined with a downhill on the expert DH routes Second Breakfast (Skidder 2) or Doors of Durin. And because the south end of Bifur ends right where Chop'd Coyote starts, it's a good (but tough) beginning to a climb up to Stone Giants and down Tom Bombadil.

Recommended trailhead and access
UVU Trailhead
Most riders get to the Riverview area west-side trails from the UVU Wasatch Campus trailhead. This is found on the far north end of Heber on Highway 40, one mile south of the Highway 32 junction. At the UVU campus entry, turn east (toward the mountain). Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the step-over ATV extruder and kiosk.

As you cross the canal, turn left onto Lower Riverview, then turn right as the UVU Connector climbs uphill. Cross the doubletrack (also known as Lower Riverview), then turn to the right on Middle Earth. After 1/10th mile, veer left uphill on Bofur's Climb at the spot where Frodo's trail crosses Middle Earth.

At the kiosk, head uphill (via any route) to cross the canal.
At the kiosk, head uphill (via any route) to cross the canal.
Bofur's Climb
Looking at the entry to Bofur's Climb on Middle Earth.
Looking at the entry to Bofur's Climb on Middle Earth.

Bofur's Climb is one-way expert uphill trail, starting on Middle Earth at the Frodo's Playground crossing. This is just south of where Middle Earth crosses the UVU Connector. To climb via Bofur's, take the UVU Connector uphill to Middle Earth, 0.7 miles from trailhead parking. Turn right on Middle Earth and ride 1/10th mile south, veering left uphill on Bofur's Climb.

After 0.3 miles, there's a trail fork. To the left is the final 100 yards of Bofur's Climb to the UVU Connector. (The junction is just uphill from the Upper Frodo's crossover. To the right is Bifur to continue climbing up to Nori and Rivendell.

The trail will smooth and widen as more riders use it, but in 2024, it's narrow, bumpy, and often loose. The climbing rate is usually mellow even if the riding is challenging. Bofur's Climb gains 100 feet of elevation between Middle Earth and Bifur.

I'm assuming that the final 100 yards of Bofur's Climb is two-way, allowing riders to reach Bifur (a two-way trail) from the UVU Connector. There was no "do not enter" sign at the UVU Connector, but there was one on Bofur's Climb at the north end of Bifur.

Crossing the first ridge. We'll descend a bit here, cross the small canyon and climb the easy gentle path you see in the upper photo.
Crossing the first ridge. We'll descend a bit here, cross the small canyon and climb the easy gentle path you see in the upper photo.
A challenging spot. Looking back at a sloped rock face with drop-offs and off-camber riding.
A challenging spot. Looking back at a sloped rock face with drop-offs and off-camber riding.
The route of Bofur's Climb plus Bifur is 1.2 miles long, gaining 230 feet of elevation. Because of some up-and-down riding, the total climbing on the combination of Bofur's Climb and Bifur will be 270. The top elevation is 6280 feet at Rivendell. Because the trail is mostly sun-exposed, the expected riding season will be mid-May through November.
Bifur
Climbing across a rock-strewn slope eastbound.
Climbing across a rock-strewn slope eastbound.
Bifur is a two-way expert singletrack. Bifur is a bit more technical than Bofur's Climb, but is very similar in that it's narrow singletrack that often bangs through rock gardens and over petrified breccia flows. It's 0.9 miles, extending from upper Bofur's Climb to Rivendell near the bottom of Chop'd Coyote.
You'll cross through several areas of volcanic rock outcrops. Mostly these are petrified mud-flows of granite and volcanic ash -- called breccia. Where you ride over open rock, the surface is rough. In other areas, the rock lies beneath a layer of dust, pebbles, and baby-head boulders.
A challenging spot with drop-offs and off-camber riding on very rough volcanic breccia as we descend into the ravine southbound on Bifur.
A challenging spot with drop-offs and off-camber riding on very rough volcanic breccia as we descend into the ravine southbound on Bifur.
Approaching another rock outcrop southbound on Bifur.
Approaching another rock outcrop southbound on Bifur.
Bifur descends east through a ravine, then climbs back southbound. Riding north to south, you'll gain 150 feet of elevation but climb 250 vertical overall. The trail on the northern side of the ravine is rocky and tricky, while the stretch south of the ravine has more dirt and offers less-challenging riding in either direction.
As you near the top of Bifur, the Nori trail forks south on your right. Take this option for a more-technical traversing route toward Coyote Canyon.

If you're heading for Chop'd Coyote, keep left and climb up another 100 yards to Rivendell. Here Bifur joins Rivendell aiming northbound. If you keep straight and to the right, you'll immediately enter Chop'd Coyote to continue uphill. If you stay left and level, you'll be on your way north toward other DH opportunities such as Second Breakfast, Mordor and Skidder 1.

Bifur, on the right, arrives at the Rivendell trail. We're looking south.
Bifur, on the right, arrives at the Rivendell trail. We're looking south.
Nori
Here's the origin of Nori on the Bifur trail. We'll descend into this ravine eastbound.
Here's the origin of Nori on the Bifur trail. We'll descend into this ravine eastbound.
The Nori trail is two-way expert hand-built singletrack. Nori traverses the hillside between upper Bifur and the Hobbiton Bypass trail. It's more technical than either Bofur's Climb or Bifur. Like Bifur, Nori descends into a ravine over rocky outcrops then climbs southbound. The northern side (south-facing) has exposed breccia and boulders and is quite difficult, and the southern side of the ravine is a more gentle slope on a wider dirt path.
Nori is 0.6 miles in length. When southbound, you'll descend just under 100 vertical feet, then climb to regain most of it before you hit the Hobbiton Bypass trail fork.

Nori is significantly easier to ride in the north-to-south direction. This puts the monster rock gardens on the downhill.

I did not clean this section of trail.
I did not clean this section of trail.
Looking southwest on smoother trail after crossing the ravine.
Looking southwest on smoother trail after crossing the ravine.
While Nori deserves its expert-technical rating, the challenging spots are concentrated in a way that allows a reasonably skilled and confident intermediate to pass through with a couple of short hike-a-bikes.
The southern end of Nori is in the middle of the Hobbiton Bypass trail. If you're headed for Dori, I suggest you make a hard left turn to go uphill here.
Here's the southern end of Nori on the Hobbiton Bypass, looking east.
Here's the southern end of Nori on the Hobbiton Bypass, looking east.
Hobbiton Bypass
Looking west down the Hobbiton Bypass. This is the spot where you're supposed to make a hard left turn uphill from Nori.
Looking west down the Hobbiton Bypass. This is the spot where you're supposed to make a hard left turn uphill from Nori.
The Hobbiton Bypass trail is a broad easier-intermediate trail that's a welcome break from the technical riding of Nori. You'll ride only the uphill half of Hobbiton Bypass. If you're southbound on Nori, take a hard left turn uphill at the trail fork.

Overall, Hobbiton Bypass is 0.4 miles long, with 100 feet of elevation change. When continuing to Dori, you'll ride 1/4 mile uphill -- east then southwest -- to cross the Hobbiton Hill trail.

The bottom end of Hobbiton Bypass merges into the Hobbiton Hill trail below a series of turns. The junction is designed to send you on down Hobbiton Hill. So, yes I suppose you could go to the bottom of Hobbiton Bypass and climb back up Hobbiton Hill to the Dori junction, but it's not ideal.
Climbing on the Hobbiton Bypass.
Climbing on the Hobbiton Bypass.
Dori
Looking south from Hobbiton Bypass at the entry to Dori. The trail crossing left to right is Hobbiton Hill.
Looking south from Hobbiton Bypass at the entry to Dori. The trail crossing left to right is Hobbiton Hill.

Dori is two-way hand-made singletrack, rated expert. As the Hobbiton Bypass trail reaches Hobbiton Hill, you can cross over to Dori. You'll probably notice a prominent track of riders turning from Dori to descend Hobbiton Hill. Many people are descending Tom Bombadil, then crossing Myrtle to continue the descent on Dori. Then they transfer to Hobbiton Hill at this spot. (This review is done in the opposite direction.)

Dori is the final segment of the Dwarf Trails.

Dori is 0.4 miles long. There are some rock challenges here, but they're not as unforgiving as those on Nori.

There will be about 100 feet of elevation change over the course of Dori. You'll do some climbing in either direction. When southbound, there are rocky expert descents and easier climbs.

Approaching a rock ramp. Not too tough.
Approaching a rock ramp. Not too tough.
At the bottom of the ravine, there's a maneuver on volcanic rock before the smooth trail starts.
At the bottom of the ravine, there's a maneuver on volcanic rock before the smooth trail starts.
Nori, Hobbiton Bypass, and Dori are sequential two-way singletrack trails that span 1.1 miles between upper Bifur and the bottom of Tom Bombadil on the Rivendell trail. On the way, you'll cross the Hobbiton Hill trail.
Nori and Dori can be a more-technical traversing route when heading southbound toward the Coyote South Switchbacks. Or, these trails can be a continuation of technical riding northbound after descending Tom Bombadil. As mentioned above, most riders seem to be turning off Dori onto Hobbition Hill, thereby avoiding the extremely difficult rock-garden climb out of the ravine when riding Nori northbound.
Easier dirt ribbon on the southern side of the ravine.
Easier dirt ribbon on the southern side of the ravine.
Looking at the southern end of Dori -- between the two bushes of sage -- from Tom Bombadil.
Looking at the southern end of Dori -- between the two bushes of sage -- from Tom Bombadil.
Reminder: Tom Bombadil is one-way downhill. Do not enter.

When Dori reaches Myrtle (Upper Riverview) at mile 0.4, veer right if you're continuing on toward Sheep Pen and the Coyote South Switchbacks.

If you're doing a loop that takes you back north via Myrtle and Rivendell, turn hard left to go north.

middle region of the coyote system
middle region of the coyote system
Getting there, UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead:
One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk N40 32.798 W111 24.735. A singletrack trail climbs 1.5 miles to the Riverview Trail.

Trailhead options!

UVU Wasatch Campus Trailhead: One mile south of the junction of Highway 40 and 32 (a couple of miles north of Heber), turn east (toward the mountain) at the UVU campus. Go to the uppermost level of parking behind the UVU buildings. Look for the duck-under and kiosk. A singletrack trail climbs 1.5 miles to the Riverview Trail.

Wile E Canyon trailhead: The Wile E Canyon trailhead is located on the southern side of Highway 32, just over 4 miles from US-40. It's 1/10th mile east of the old Cutthroat trailhead (see below). There's room for about 8 cars here. From the parking lot, a connector trail takes you 120 yards uphill to the Wile E Canyon loop. To get to Beep Beep (or the Coyote Switchbacks or East Riverview), turn right at the trail fork, keep right at the next fork, then turn left onto the Coyote Riverview Connector trail as you approach the gravel road.

Coyote Riverview Connector trail (old Cutthroat): You can still connect through the old Cutthroat trailhead, although there's no longer a parking area here. For example, if the crowds have forced you to park where construction workers leave their vehicles along Highway 32, you can pedal to the gravel road to the new golf course leaves the highway, four miles east of US-40 and just east of the big rock-wall road-cut.

Puddy Tat parking: On Highway 3 around three miles from US-40, watch for a dirt road turning to the right in a huge sage meadow. There are a couple of buildings across Highway 32 at this spot. The parking spot is just through the fence, with a connection to Puddy Tat on the eastern side of parking. (This spot was still being worked on at the time of my review.)

Riverview trailhead: From US-40 just south of the Jordanelle reservoir, turn east at the traffic light onto Highwat 32 (at mile 14.2 from I-80 if you're coming from the north). On Highway 32, climb 1.1 miles. When you see the second entry into Riverview on your left and a road under construction to your right, the Riverview Connector trail starts on the uphill side of that road just after it leaves Highway 32. (In 2025, there's no longer protected parking here. It's unclear whether the trailhead will be restored when construction is complete.)

Coyote Trailhead: The southern Coyote trailhead has been lost to subdivision construction. Access to the southern side the trail system is in limbo, but some riders find their way through the construction zone by pedaling up the gravel Coyote Canyon road.

Canal DT trailhead: Just uphill from the light on highway 32, watch for the canal crossing. Park along the road. Start riding south on the doubletrack just uphill from the canal.