California’s Best Mountain Biking Trails and E-MTB Routes

With trail systems all over the state, we’ve compiled a healthy spread of Californian mountain biking trails for wherever you are, including an iconic downhill route and the location of the world’s first mountain bike race. Whether you’re a seasoned shredder looking for a new challenge, a beginner searching for some easier trails for learning or somewhere in between, we’ve included something for everyone, including e-MTBers.  

California, more specifically Marin County, lays claim to the title of the birthplace of mountain biking and while that assertion is disputed by some across in Colorado, it’s easy to see how that could be the case. With two mountain ranges and plenty of parks and forests, California’s varied terrain is perfect for many disciplines of mountain biking, from cross-country to downhill. There are plenty of trail systems all around the state to explore and there’s sure to be something for everyone. For those who prefer a little help up some of California’s tougher hills, there are many e-MTB options available. While e-bikes aren’t permitted on every trail, we’ve made note of several trails that are perfect for e-bikes.  

We’ve arranged our list of best Californian mountain biking trails from beginner routes all the way up to the advanced trails. Each recommendation gives you the basics of what to expect from the route, as well as a link to the trail itself. Many of these trails can be worked into a longer loop or route and while we have made some recommendations, don’t be afraid to play around to find your new favourite ride! 

If you already had a destination in mind and you’re looking for mountain biking recommendations for a specific area of California, be sure to check out our bike trail recommendations for the Bay Area, Lake Tahoe and Orange County. And if you’re worried that your current bike won’t be able to handle some of the gnarlier trails, be sure to check out our bike recommendations at the bottom. 

• Level: beginner  
• Path condition: singletrack 
• Starting point: the parking lot at the Peacock Gap trailhead 
• Highlights: Excellent beginner singletrack, a moderately challenging climb and lovely views throughout.  
• Length of the route: 9 miles (14.4km)  
• Altitude difference: 934 ft climbing, 861 ft descent (284.6 m, 262.4 m) 
• Travel time: 40 mins from San Francisco 

This easy loop is a great way for beginner mountain bikers to find their feet on the trails, with beginner singletrack to get you started and a tougher climb thrown in for a challenge. Be sure to admire some of the views while you make your way up! 

For e-bike riders, the Bay View Trail, a 3.3 mile trail that makes up a small section of this route, is e-bike friendly and can be ridden on its own as a nice and easy beginner trail.  

• Level: beginner to intermediate  
• Path condition: well-maintained singletrack 
• Starting point: Logging Spur, or start at Ridge Trail for the whole Flow Trail loop 
• Highlights: Flowing singletrack, with tons of turns and features to keep the fun flowing.  
• Length of the route: 2,533 ft (772 m) 
• Altitude difference: 171 ft descent (52 m) 
• Total distance: 13.9 miles (22.4km) for the full Flow Trail loop 
• Travel time: 60 mins north of Santa Cruz 

If you look at any list of best mountain biking trails in California, Flow Trail is bound to make an appearance and for good reason. The trail is made of flowing singletrack, with 171 ft of descent and plenty of features to keep your momentum going. It’s an incredibly fun trail and a great way to improve your skills on the bike.  

Flow trail is not e-bike friendly and Soquel Demo state forest is currently only open on the weekends, which is worth bearing in mind. Nevertheless, it is certainly worth a visit.  

• Level: intermediate  
• Path condition: doubletrack  
• Starting point: San Geronimo Ridge Road 
• Highlights: Repack is all descent down windy doubletrack, with gullies, blind corners and switchbacks.  
• Length of the route: 1.9 miles (3km) 
• Altitude difference: 1,277 ft descent (389.2 m) 
• Travel time: 55 mins outside San Francisco  

Repack Road is often cited as the location for the first mountain bike race and part of the catalyst for mountain biking’s invention as a sport. As such, its an iconic route, taking riders down winding doubletrack, past the waypoints named by the first mountain bikers to ride the trail and through the final four switchbacks to the end. Repack road can be ridden in both directions, if you fancy a climb to the top instead, but is not open to e-bikes.  

• Level: intermediate 
• Path condition: well-maintained singletrack 
• Starting point: Forest Road off Sierra Way, Kernville 
• Highlights: Excellent singletrack, some small drops and rocky sections.  
• Length of the route: 11.9 miles (19.1km) 
• Altitude difference: 402 ft climbing, 5,094 ft descent (123 m, 1,552.6 m) 
• Travel time: 1hr 40mins north-east of Bakersfield. 

Cannell Plunge in Kernville is another well-known route that often appears on lists of California’s best mountain bike trails. With almost 12 miles of well-maintained singletrack, Cannell Plunge is a fun trail to descend, with plenty of drops and rocky sections. It can also be made into a longer route if you start at the top of the Cannell Meadow Trail. Cannell Plunge is e-bike friendly.  

• Level: intermediate 
• Path condition: singletrack 
• Starting point: Just off Paseo Ranchero 
• Highlights: Well-maintained, flowing singletrack, with some twists and berms along the way (and maybe some snakes). 
• Length of the route: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) 
• Altitude difference: 28 ft (8.5 m) climbing, 212 ft (64.6 m) descent 
• Travel time: 10 mins from San Diego 

Snake trail is another classic Californian mountain biking trail, a fun singletrack route that is perfect for improving your bike handling skills. There’s plenty of picturesque scenery to see along the way but watch out, this trail does live up to its name, so you might run across some critters on your way down.  

• Level: advanced 
• Path condition: singletrack 
• Starting point: Start at Jackass Ridge Trail and descend via Blue Lead to the head of the trail 
• Highlights: Twisty single track with several steep drops and berms. 
• Length of the route: 2,887 ft (879.9 m) 
• Altitude difference: 9 ft (2.7 m) climbing, 221 ft (67.3 m) descent 
• Travel time: 55 mins out of Redding 

Reached by first riding down the Blue Lead trail, Black Lead is a one of a kind trail in Weaver Basin, with several steep drops. You have to fully commit to this trail, so this is a route for advanced riders who are confident in their bike handling. This trail is one-way only and is not e-bike friendly.  

• Level: advanced  
• Path condition: singletrack 
• Starting point: Off Highway 190 at the Summit Trail crossing 
• Highlights: Nelson trail crosses almost a dozen creek crossing and has many climbs, drops and jumps on the way down.  
• Length of the route: 3.8 miles (6.1 km) 
• Altitude difference: 480 ft (146.3 m) climbing, 2,289 ft (697.6 m) descent 
• Travel time: 2 hrs east of Visalia 

For advanced mountain bikers looking for an adventure, Nelson Trail is the perfect route. With almost a dozen creeks on the way down, there are points where you may have to get off to carry your bike over a log bridge. Nelson Trail is a fun trail for advanced riders where you can gather a lot of speed.

• Level: advanced 
• Path condition: singletrack with a dirt road section 
• Starting point: Sunrise Trail parking lot 
• Highlights: A true advanced downhill route, with drops, rock faces and rock gardens.  
• Length of the route: 15 miles (24.1 km) 
• Altitude difference: 816 ft (248.7 m) climbing, 4,915 ft (1,498m) descent 

Though there are some other iterations, this is the classic Downieville Downhill route and it is a must ride for any downhill mountain bikers visiting California. The route is made up of sections of seven trails and is an advanced route with technical sections that will pose a challenge for many riders. There is a shuttle to the top of the route, so you won’t have to worry about climbing up before you send it down this iconic downhill route. All trails included in the route are e-bike rated. 

If you’re looking for a reliable full-suspension rig for long days in the saddle, the Neuron is a bike designed for just that, without compromising on agility, so that you can handle technical trails like Cannell Plunge with ease. For a little help on the way up, there’s always the Neuron:ON, the e-MTB version of the Neuron.  

For more advanced riders who are looking for a capable bike to take on routes like Downieville Downhill and beyond, the Torque is your perfect companion for taking on technical trails and fast descents. For riders looking for a little extra boost so that you can focus on the descents rather than the climb up, the Torque’s e-MTB counterpart, the Torque:ON might be your next ride.  

Don’t see your favourite SoCal trail here? Did we already cover it in our guide to the best MTB trails in Los Angeles? If you’re more of a people person than a lone wolf, you might enjoy this breakdown of the USA’s best organized bike rides.