Last Updated on 5 November 2022 by Cycloscope
There are hundreds of great trails to ride in this region, here the 9 best mountain biking trails in Northern California
Northern California has thousands of miles of awesome mountain biking trails. This isn’t a secret since many areas of Northern California are world-renowned for mountain biking. Whether you are a beginning or advanced mountain biker, there is a trail for you in Northern California.
You can find numerous trails to ride many times during the year whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter. What makes mountain biking in Northern California so unique is its diversity of trails within 10 miles of each other.
Although there are hundreds of great trails to ride in this region, I’ve narrowed it down to the 9 best mountain biking trails in Northern California:
Best Mountain Bike Trails in Northern California
1. Tahoe East Shore Trail
Location: Lake Tahoe
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Tahoe East Shore Trail is a great place for bikers because it offers scenic views, beautiful scenery, and a fun adventure. It is known as “America’s most beautiful bikeway” for its amazing eastern views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The trail is 6 miles, out and back and you can also explore the beaches along the way. It’s also one of the best things to do in the summer in Lake Tahoe.
You can bike on this trail for hours and it never gets boring. The views are pretty spectacular as well, especially if you time it right and go during sunset or sunrise. The trail itself is wide and flat with a slight elevation change of 144 feet, making it perfect for beginners who want to try their hand at mountain biking without much risk.
The Tahoe East Shore Trail GPX map is available on Komoot.
2. Kortum Trail
Location: Bodega Bay
The Kortum Trail is located inside Sonoma Coast State Park and it’s one of the best trails to hike and bike in Sonoma County. The trail stretches for 8.9 miles, out and back with an elevation gain of 931 feet.
The trail takes you on the Sonoma coastline with beaches to stop at along the way. The best part about this trail is that you can start and end at multiple points so you don’t have to bike the entire way if you don’t want to.
There are also many things to see on the way. Climb up the Sunset Boulders, check out the prehistoric Mammoth Rock or hike up the Peaked Hill for panoramic views.
3. Flume Trail
Location: Lake Tahoe
The Flume Trail is a great trail to go hiking or biking with your family or friends and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Tahoe. The trail is 12.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,420 feet from point to point. There are shuttle buses to take you back to your starting point or you can ride up for a total bike ride of 25.6 miles.
This moderate route has some steep climbs and it’s an ideal trail for intermediate bikers. The trail also makes for a great weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a thrilling ride or if you’re looking to explore Lake Tahoe deeper on your mountain bike journey. You can bike further on the Tahoe Rim Trail to South Lake Tahoe for a longer ride.
4. The Pacific Coast Highway
Location: Leggett to Dana Point, one way
The Pacific Coast Highway is a scenic ride along the California coast and is an excellent way to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. The road has been called one of America’s Top 10 Scenic Drives by USA Today and is often referred to as “The Best Driving Road in America.”
With more than 100 miles of coastline, there are plenty of places to stop and explore along the way. While many people drive this route, it’s just as much fun to bike along with the cars. This highway is 655.8 miles long and can take up to a week or more depending on your biking stamina. It’s a great workout! This trail is not for beginners or casual riders.
It’s for experienced mountain bikers who want an intense workout as well as some great scenery. The highway offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Big Sur coast. The road hugs the cliffs of the California coastline, which means you get to see spectacular views of the rugged coastline and ocean.
You’ll see some beautiful beaches along this trail as well as gorgeous waterfalls and hiking trails that lead to amazing views. You can also see whales, seals, and other sea life from this trail if you’re lucky enough to catch them at the right time.
5. Avenue of the Giants
Location: Weott
Avenue of the Giants is a must-try because it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. The trail winds through towering redwoods, which can be up to 4,000 years old, and passes through Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
Bikers will bike through redwood souvenir shops, treehouses, restaurants, and more. The trail is relatively flat and free from traffic congestion as it runs parallel to the highway, making it perfect for a noiseless bike ride. It’s 32 miles long so you can turn this into an overnight trip and camp out at one of the nearby sites. Reserve a spot at the Hidden Springs, Burlington, or Albee Creek campgrounds.
6. Tioga Pass Road
Location: Yosemite National Park
Looking for a weekend biking trip? Take a challenging 64-mile-long ride through Tioga Pass Road. This is one of the highest roads in the Sierra Nevada and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
You’ll pass through beautiful pine forests, high mountain meadows, and rugged granite cliffs. It’s a great way to see wildlife. You may see deer or bears grazing by the side of the road. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a mountain lion or two!
Biking here can be an all-day adventure or a short ride depending on how far you want to go. For example, if you just want to ride for 30 minutes or an hour, there are plenty of places to stop along the way where you can enjoy lunch or just get off your bike for a bit while taking in some great views at Olstead Point and Tenaya Lake.Â
If you’re wondering what’s the best time to visit Yosemite National Park for a bike trip, that would definitely be in spring or autumn.
7. San Francisco to Sausalito via the Golden Gate Bridge
Location: San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States, and biking over it provides a unique perspective on this amazing piece of architecture. It’s also a great way to see the beautiful views of San Francisco Bay firsthand!
The trail is flat and easy to ride on, so it’s perfect for beginners or families who want to take a day trip from San Francisco. You can start at Fort Mason in the Marina District and head north over the Golden Gate Bridge. After crossing over into Sausalito, you’ll go down Bridgeway Street, which is a fun, curvy road with plenty of places to stop for food or drinks along the way.
8. Mission Peak Panorama and YSC Loop
Location: Fremont
Mission Peak is one of the best bike rides in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’re looking for an easy ride, this isn’t it! The climb up Mission Peak is steep and challenging. But after reaching the summit, the reward is worth it — there’s a 360-degree view that takes in many other peaks as well as San Francisco Bay and beyond!
The trail is 5.1 miles and the terrain varies from rolling hills to steep climbs, with spectacular views of the Bay Area. You’ll ride through singletracks and fire roads until you’re near the summit.
You can’t bike to the summit but you can chain your bike and hike to the peak. If you plan on biking at Mission Peak Regional Wilderness, make sure you bring plenty of water with you because it can be hot during the summer months or when there’s not much rain around. But even on sunny days, the peak can be windy so bring layers.
9. Valley Loop Trail
Location: Yosemite National Park
Look up at Yosemite’s granite mountains as you bike through the Valley Loop Trail. It’s a moderate trail that loops around 13 miles. There is minimal elevation gain. Stop at Yosemite Falls, the Swinging Bridge, and Sentinel Bridge for views.
You can share the roads with vehicles and while you’re biking on the bike paths, the speed limit is 15 mph. You can either bring your bike, rent one or even borrow it for free for 2 hours through the park’s bike share program.
Conclusion: Best Mountain Bike Trails in Northern California
California is home to some of the best mountain bike trails in the United States. The state has excellent weather, jaw-dropping scenery, and challenging terrain. Plus Northern California is a prime location for mountain biking.
From Marin headlands to Lake Tahoe, you can find trails that range from paved bike paths to rocky creek beds. Through this guide, we hope you’ve discovered some of the best mountain bike trails in Northern California. Head to these locations for a superb biking adventure!
Author Bio: Rasika is the owner of the travel blog Bae Area and Beyond. She is from the Bay Area and her blog covers California destinations. She hopes that her readers will fall in love with California, just like she did.