11 Gorgeous Routes for Any Type of Biker in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County is one of the most popular biking destinations in the world. From relaxed rides with stellar views, to rugged mountain biking adventures, there’s a bike ride for everyone in the area.
Filled with Mount Shasta views, small-town vibes, great local bike shops and high-alpine rides, the wide-open space in Siskiyou County can give any bike rider the outdoor experience they’re looking for.
Here are 11 incredible biking adventures you can find in Siskiyou County:
Lake Siskiyou Loop
Nestled at the foot of the Trinity Divide and enjoying outstanding views of Mount Shasta, Lake Siskiyou is one of the prettiest reservoirs in Northern California. The lake is one of the premier features of Mount Shasta City, a community that boasts cornucopia of outdoor attractions.
McCloud to Mt. Shasta Loop
This route starts and ends in McCloud. The suggested direction is to ride out 89 (watch for fast traffic) to Mt Shasta Blvd and then up Old McCloud (FS 31). That way you get to enjoy the fast and smooth downhill on 89 into Mt Shasta and then climb up the bumpy and in places, deteriorating Old McCloud/Forest Service 31. This ride is mostly good road with just a 2 – 4 miles of Old McCloud being rough road and gravel in a few places where it has fallen apart.
Greenhorn Park Trails
Greenhorn Park is one of the most beautiful and well used recreation areas in all of Siskiyou County. The newly signed trails offer hours of great mountain bike riding. Host to the Humbug Hurry-Up and many other local sporting events, Greenhorn is sure to have what you are looking for in outdoor recreation.
Mt. Shasta Mountain Bike Park
Experience the Mt Shasta Mountain Bike Park, with trails designed to be enjoyed at all riding levels. Enjoy a unique and one of kind riding experience with 15 trails, a new Skills Park and a variety of new features, there will be live music and fun events going on all summer.
Ft. Jones – Etna – Island Loop
Explore California’s best kept secret bike riding area. This destination has charming roads and high-alpine climbs with little traffic. Experience small town charm; refuel and relax at local coffee shops. Routes in Siskiyou County are as diverse as the geography and accommodate all riders from beginner to advanced and everyone in between.
Mt. Shasta to Castle Lake
Explore California’s best kept secret bike riding area. This destination has charming roads and high-alpine climbs with little traffic. Experience small town charm; refuel and relax at local coffee shops. Routes in Siskiyou County are as diverse as the geography and accommodate all riders from beginner to advanced and everyone in between.
China Grade Road – Happy Camp
This ride follows the Klamath River on the far side. This trip has a few elevation gains and descents. The first 1.7 miles offer good views over the old mill site on the river. The next 4.8 miles are on high cliffs and there is a great view over the “Muck-A-Muck†mine site. Continue the route as it follows the original path/road from Seiad Valley. Mile 7.8 is the entrance to a bird nesting area – It was once a large homestead. The area is closed for nesting February into July. Across the road are large limestone cliffs with several caves visible. China Grade Road turns to dirt at mile 9.2. The road continues for approx. 20 miles with the first half very steep as it crosses the mountains and descends into Seiad Valley.
Gateway Trail
Named the Gateway Trail because it offers access to the forest from town, the shared-use trail is open to mountain bikers, hikers, runners, dog walkers, and equestrians. The Trailhead and parking lot are nine-tenths of a mile past the Mount Shasta High School on the right of Everett Memorial Highway. Curving up the lower flank of Mount Shasta through open brush fields and conifer plantations, offering superb views of the Eddys, Castle Crags, Black Butte, and Mount Shasta, the Gateway Trail interconnects with other trails and roads providing about 10 miles of single-track and 10 miles of dirt roads for one to five hours of riding depending on route selection and ability.
Lower Sisson – Callahan National Recreation Trail
The lower portion of the historic Sisson-Callahan National Recreation Trail is a multi-use trail that follows the scenic North Fork of the Sacramento River for 3.3 miles. The trail is single track with steep drop offs and rocky sections with cobbled rock and small boulders. Use caution. While most of the trail is challenging, some sections are packed pine needles and less difficult. There are no major intersections off the trail. Halfway down you come to an old road. Climb up for about 150 feet and watch for the trail to continue on your left. The end of the trail also becomes an old road.
Yreka to Montague – Shasta Valley Loop
Explore California’s best kept secret bike riding area. This destination has charming roads and high-alpine climbs with little traffic. Experience small town charm; refuel and relax at local coffee shops. Routes in Siskiyou County are as diverse as the geography and accommodate all riders from beginner to advanced and everyone in between.
Klamath River Trail Loop
The Klamath River Trail is a nine mile loop first that passes through an old growth forest of Douglas fir, pine, madrone, and numerous species of oak, then traverses the inner Gorge of the Klamath River. Highlights of the trail are old growth Klamath-Siskiyou mixed evergreen forest types, stunning views of the Klamath River gorge and Klamath River, the feeling of being perched on a ledge, and an epic adrenalin-inducing ride across the Klamath River inner Gorge on a narrow trail. This ride is for experienced mountain-bikers only. Novice riders can still enjoy the trail if they walk their bikes through the steep narrow parts of the trail which amount to about one mile. The trail loop starts at 960 feet elevation and has a gain/loss of 2,100 feet.
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