Belmont Shortcut

Trail Overview

The Belmont Shortcut is a high-speed connector that lives up to its name by providing a direct link between the historic Belmont Road and the expansive Manhattan Wash system. Unlike the narrow, technical "goat paths" often found in the Toiyabe Range, this trail is a remarkably wide, two-lane dirt corridor that was clearly engineered with heavy equipment and industrial scale in mind. The driving experience is a rare treat in the Nevada backcountry: a smooth, "flowy," and twisty dirt track that allows you to maintain a steady pace while enjoying some of the best high-desert "throttle therapy" in the region. As you navigate the gentle curves, you are treated to sweeping, unobstructed views of the Toquima Range and the vast basins that separate Nevada's legendary mining towns. The trail serves as a major artery within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest OHV area, offering multiple jumping-off points to explore more technical side trails that branch into the surrounding hills. Keep your eyes peeled for Sage Grouse in the silver sagebrush and Red-tailed Hawks using the nearby utility poles as vantage points for hunting. Expect no cell service on this shortcut. The surrounding mountain ranges create a total signal shadow. Download offline maps before leaving the Tonopah or Manhattan areas.

Photos of Belmont Shortcut

Want to see more?

Login

Difficulty

This is a wide, groomed road. Stay alert for heavy machinery or service vehicles that may still utilize this industrial-scale corridor. Because of its width and smooth surface, this is a popular route for all types of OHVs, including side-by-sides and motorcycles.

History

The Belmont Shortcut is a modern bridge between two distinct eras of Nevada history. To the north lies Belmont, the 1860s silver boomtown that once served as the Nye County seat. To the south lies Manhattan, a site of a 20th-century gold rush that saw significant activity well into the modern era.

Technical Rating

Belmont Shortcut can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike