The Best Mountain Bike Trails in California (United States)

San Francisco (IBP 51)

Mountain Bike

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xarmangue

Distance

30.52mi

Elevation +

1811f

TrailRank

72

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Ruta en bicicleta per San Francisco passant per: Fisherman's Warf, Marina District, Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Baker Beach, Lincoln Park, Land's End, Ocean Beach, Golden Gate Park, Haight Ashbury, The...

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Jenkinson Lake Loop (Pollock Pines)

Mountain Bike

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Sacguy

Distance

8.18mi

Elevation +

341f

TrailRank

60| 5.0

FUN FUN FUN trail with beautiful views. I mountain bike it but people hike & jog this trail. The trail is technically challenging in spots (rocks, roots, cliffs). There are some short hard climbs but overall it's fairly ...

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goat trails

Mountain Bike

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icacti

Distance

5.96mi

Elevation +

1217f

TrailRank

52| 4.0

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There is a rather nice network of dirt roads and single track called the "Goat Trails" between Palm Desert and Palm Springs. This route posted is pretty much a main trail/fireroad half way up to Murray Peak and back dow...

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South Yuba River Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

with

Distance

14.95mi

Elevation +

1729f

TrailRank

38| 5.0

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Updated Winter 2012 15 miles of glorious singletrack, one of my favorite trails. There is no real difference in elevation from the upper trailhead to the lower, but the trail does roll up and down a lot so don't think i...

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Gridley - Pratt Loop

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

11.90mi

Elevation +

3566f

TrailRank

36

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2005-4-14 Easily one of my top five all time favorite trails, just never seem to get tired of this one! There is a way to ride a fire road back to where you started but I usually would ride back to my friends house, so ...

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Santa Cruz Wilder Ranch

Mountain Bike

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Rusiman

Distance

28.03mi

Elevation +

1870f

TrailRank

35

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Route around some of the best trails in Wilder Ranch. The starting point is from the Cycleworks shop which is great if you need to rent a good quality reasonably-priced bike. After a pleasant urban stretch equipped with ...

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Pioneer Trail 5 Mile House to White Cloud

Mountain Bike

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Joel Snook

Distance

15.85mi

Elevation +

4600f

TrailRank

35

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Pioneer Trail from the 5 mile House to White Cloud. Single and double track. Lots of trees, some nice views especially after you cross over 20 near White Cloud. I call it moderate due to occasional large roots, stumps,a ...

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La Quinta Cove

Mountain Bike

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icacti

Distance

6.73mi

Elevation +

751f

TrailRank

35| 4.0

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One of a few trails (Boo Hoff, Bear Creek plus many foot trails) accessed from the top of the La Quinta cove. My GPS shut down for part of the ride so one section of the mapped trail might seem a bit off (straight line).

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Stein Butte Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

10.41mi

Elevation +

2402f

TrailRank

34

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A 10 mile loop with 2,300 vertical, hammer it out in 1:45. Lots of shade on this ride and the return on a gravel road follows an ICY little creek. If you go CW the climb is a consistent grade. The southern section is mor...

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Chino Hills Loop - Mountain Biking

Mountain Bike

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JohnMcKenzie

Distance

10.78mi

Elevation +

1647f

TrailRank

32

This is the Chino Hills Loop starting from Chino Hills Community Park at Peyton and Eucalyptus. 90% Dirt. 7 Hills through the back paths of Chino Hills. Parking is at Chino Hills Community Park then head up the dirt pat...

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CA-LA-Playa Vista-Topanga Fire Road

Mountain Bike

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Johan Takeshi

Distance

29.33mi

Elevation +

2605f

TrailRank

32

Here was my first attempt at a fire road in CA. I've had a few rides this summer that I got to the beginning, but didn't have the juice left to try it. I guess, this was only different in that I DID try it...and...didn't...

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Almaden Quicksilver County Park

Mountain Bike

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bnlitin

Distance

10.54mi

Elevation +

1575f

TrailRank

30

A nice mountain biking trail in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. It has some nice climbs and descents

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Olmstead Loop Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

9.35mi

Elevation +

1030f

TrailRank

30

2006-4-28 A 9mi double track, starting from Cool and going CW. Home of the "Coolest 24 hour race". Nice scenery, no big hills, nothing technical, can be worked into some other nearby trails for a longer ride. I went ...

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North Yuba - Halls Ranch - Fiddle Creek Ridge

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

20.24mi

Elevation +

2805f

TrailRank

30

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Spring 2009 Park at Rocky Reach and cross the N Yuba river on the foot bridge to begin the ride. Follow the technical singletrack upstream to a gravel road, turn left and ride .7 miles to the highway, turn left and ri...

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Backbone Trail - Encinal to Mishe Mokwa and back

Mountain Bike

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doronwen

Distance

19.21mi

Elevation +

1631f

TrailRank

29

To my opinion, the most beautiful part of the backbone trail. You can divide this ride into 3 parts: (1) Encinal to Etz Meloy (2) Etx Meloy fire road (3) Yerba Buena to Mishe Mokwa parking lot 80% of this ride is a ...

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Impossible Mountain

Mountain Bike

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Jayme Oliveira

Distance

17.73mi

Elevation +

2572f

TrailRank

29

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A tough and exhaustive ride to the top of the great mountain... the "Impossible Mountain". No, it's not impossible... ;) It's far away, sometimes too steep to stand on the bicycle, but worth it.

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Downieville Downhill

Mountain Bike

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robertg925

Distance

14.94mi

Elevation +

971f

TrailRank

28

This ride is mostly downhill for 15 miles (25 km) and 5,000 feet (1,500 m) descent on rocky to smooth double-track and singletrack trails. It starts with a shuttle ride to Packer Saddle with one of the bike shops located...

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Off Refugió Rd

Mountain Bike

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Marco Ulloa

Distance

7.35mi

Elevation +

1683f

TrailRank

28

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Hard from the start as this is mainly a dirt bike trail. Lots of pain and lots of fun on a single speed.

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Stevens Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

4.06mi

Elevation +

1191f

TrailRank

28

This is a short trail with nice views and a few slightly technical spots. A great trail for travelers to take a break and stretch their legs. You park at the top, ride down to the river and then back the same way up t...

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South Fork Trinity River Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

17.23mi

Elevation +

1378f

TrailRank

27

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Spring 2009 This is more of a sightseeing trail than a mountain bike ride, but why would you want to walk when you can ride! And there is some fun riding but nothing that I would describe as really mountain biking, mo...

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San Rafael - China camp SF

Mountain Bike

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urainias

Distance

12.38mi

Elevation +

1686f

TrailRank

27

Great single track paths! Paul guided us perfectly through narrow hidden tracks, looking to San Francisco bay. Thanks to Stoked SF!

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Sycamore Cove - Point Mugu State Park

Mountain Bike

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Scarbez

Distance

10.85mi

Elevation +

1266f

TrailRank

27

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Mild fire road climb. Long, fun singletrack downhill. Flatish ending. Not many hikers. The views alone are worth it

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Part 1

Mountain Bike

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vinnyfajardojr

Distance

44.81mi

Elevation +

2431f

TrailRank

26

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Berkeley Oakland San Francisco 12 stops.

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Sisar Canyon - Red Reef Trail

Mountain Bike

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doronwen

Distance

17.42mi

Elevation +

3609f

TrailRank

26

This is a great ride if you like to start your rides with a climb and end it with a long fast descent. The climb to the top of Red Reef Trail is about 10 -11 miles from the bottom gate. You start the climb following t...

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Tish Tang Tang Trail

Mountain Bike

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christian_r

Distance

20.46mi

Elevation +

4180f

TrailRank

26

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Spring 2009 I drove to the 'PARK' waypoint and rode up to 'Trailhead', the gravel road ends here and single track begins. After about 600' there is a sign high on a tree that says "no bicycles or motorcycles beyond th...

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