|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Angel Island
Angel Island
A ride easy enough for the entire family (especially in shortened form), with panoramic views of the bay. Some sites of historic interest are also available as a bonus.
10.5 miles
1350' climb
2.5 hours
|
49% FIRE ROAD51% PAVED
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Annadel (Suggestion 1)
Annadel (Suggestion 1)
A full-blown mountain biking playground with a first-class trail network large enough for all-day rides and technical enough for the most serious riders.
18.5 miles
2350' climb
5 hours
|
70% SINGLETRACK30% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Annadel (Suggestion 2)
Annadel (Suggestion 2)
A relatively short technical singletrack ride, though still a very fun one at this wonderful mountain biking "amusement park".
12 miles
1800' climb
3.5 hours
|
75% SINGLETRACK14% FIRE ROAD11% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Annadel (Suggestion 3)
Annadel (Suggestion 3)
A route that provides lots of technical singletrack in exchange for little uphill suffering, like most Annadel rides. But, this one should also be tried in the opposite direction.
13 miles
1750' climb
3 hours
|
58% SINGLETRACK42% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Big Rock Ridge
Big Rock Ridge
A sweet, 2.5-mile singletrack descent marred by the brutal climb to get to its beginning, though the great views almost make up for it.
14 miles
2900' climb
3.5 hours
|
20% SINGLETRACK47% FIRE ROAD33% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Bolinas Ridge (long loop)
Bolinas Ridge (long loop)
A scenic ride that puts together an unfun singletrack and a fun fire road in a long, mixed loop in a very pretty Marin location.
27 miles
3850' climb
5.5 hours
|
17% SINGLETRACK45% FIRE ROAD38% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Bolinas Ridge (short loop)
Bolinas Ridge (short loop)
A ride whose one half is over-tame and whose other half features a (short but) torturous climb. But, it still manages to include some of the most scenic stretches of what must be one of Marin's most fun fire roads.
13.5 miles
1600' climb
2.5 hours
|
68% FIRE ROAD24% PAVED8% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Camp Tamarancho
Camp Tamarancho
Beautiful, twisty, bike-legal, technical singletrack. A true rarity in Marin County. This is one of the best rides on the site.
11 miles
1900' climb
3.5 hours
|
70% SINGLETRACK2% FIRE ROAD28% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Cheese Factory Loop
Cheese Factory Loop
Easily one of the prettiest, most scenic, and most secluded road rides you can do in Marin, and it doesn't even take extraordinary physical shape to pull it off.
35 miles
2650' climb
4 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
China Camp
China Camp
The most fun, sweetest, and most scenic beginner-level singletrack that you can find in the Bay Area.
11 miles
1500' climb
3 hours
|
93% SINGLETRACK6% FIRE ROAD1% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Coleman Valley Loop
Coleman Valley Loop
A manageable road loop through the idyllic Sonoma coast and countryside providing tiny historic towns, one-room schoolhouses, hearty seafood, and great views, but coming at the cost of several short but steep climbs.
34.5 miles
3200' climb
4.5 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Fairfax to Mount Tam Loop
Fairfax to Mount Tam Loop
A road ride that encircles Mount Tam, providing forests, one lake, ocean views, enticingly curvy roads, and a string of suburban towns.
31.5 miles
3700' climb
4 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Golden Gate to Sausalito
Golden Gate to Sausalito
A longer and more challenging version of what's possibly San Francisco's most popular bike ride. It can still be shortened and made easier to match any skill and form level with a couple of quick adjustments.
24 miles
1950' climb
4.5 hours
|
18% FIRE ROAD26% PAVED56% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Healdsburg to Geyserville
Healdsburg to Geyserville
A great option to take in the genuine wine-country-road-ride experience without any hard work or busy traffic.
31 miles
1150' climb
3 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Helen Putnam
Helen Putnam
A small but good selection of singletrack trails that make up a decent easy ride option for locals who are willing to do multiple loops.
5.5 miles
1100' climb
1.5 hours
|
66% SINGLETRACK19% FIRE ROAD13% PAVED2% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Jack London Park
Jack London Park
A good amount of bike-legal singletrack as long as you can stomach steep climbs and some awkwardness in trail arrangement. The appeal to literary interest is a bonus.
15 miles
2700' climb
4 hours
|
67% SINGLETRACK30% FIRE ROAD3% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
King Ridge Loop
King Ridge Loop
A tough and remote ride that's widely known and hyped. Due to seriously good scenery and fun, it may qualify as a king in more than just the name.
50 miles
4900' climb
6.5 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Lagoon Valley
Lagoon Valley
Not a lot of trails in this park, but it fulfills the need for decent singletrack surprisingly well in an area that has little of it.
8 miles
1450' climb
2 hours
|
69% SINGLETRACK22% FIRE ROAD9% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Marin Headlands (Marincello, Bobcat, Miwok Trails)
Marin Headlands (Marincello, Bobcat, Miwok Trails)
A short fire-road loop in the scenic hills of Marin Headlands that hits two particular short trails, each of which is worth seeing for its own little quirk.
9.5 miles
1650' climb
2 hours
|
12% SINGLETRACK73% FIRE ROAD15% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Marin Headlands (Miwok, Dias Ridge, Middle Green Gulch Trails)
Marin Headlands (Miwok, Dias Ridge, Middle Green Gulch Trails)
This ride across two valleys and two ridges in Marin provides a good sampling of the trail environments and trailside attractions in the headlands, not to mention a surprising amount of smooth (though tame) singletrack.
12.5 miles
2300' climb
4 hours
|
40% SINGLETRACK51% FIRE ROAD5% PAVED4% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Marshall - Chileno Valley Loop
Marshall - Chileno Valley Loop
A long road loop through idyllic pastureland, scenic coastal roads, and through rustic settlements on various Marin County backroads.
48 miles
3950' climb
5 hours
|
2% PAVED98% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Moore Creek Park
Moore Creek Park
A small trail network whose available singletrack may be a surprise to some. It might not be enough to draw riders from distant places but is enough to make it a good local resource.
14.5 miles
2200' climb
3.5 hours
|
52% SINGLETRACK47% FIRE ROAD1% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Mount St. Helena
Mount St. Helena
Simply a straight mountain climb up a smooth fire road with not too much biking interest but some historic curiosity and plenty of stupendously distant vistas.
12.5 miles
3100' climb
3 hours
|
100% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Mount Tam (Deer Park Road and Coast View Trail)
Mount Tam (Deer Park Road and Coast View Trail)
A short and relatively easy loop that still manages to hit a number of the highlights of riding on Mount Tam.
11.5 miles
1750' climb
2.5 hours
|
21% SINGLETRACK34% FIRE ROAD45% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Mount Tam (Eldridge Grade and Lagunitas - Rock Spring Road)
Mount Tam (Eldridge Grade and Lagunitas - Rock Spring Road)
A long fire-road ride that allows you to experience the northern slopes of Mount Tam from its lowest foothills in the lakes area, all the way to East Peak.
20 miles
3150' climb
5 hours
|
65% FIRE ROAD2% PAVED33% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Mount Tam (Old Railroad and Eldridge Grades)
Mount Tam (Old Railroad and Eldridge Grades)
A climb up Mount Tam via the easiest route you can take by bike, followed by a fun descent on a rocky and technical fire road. The views are world-class!
12.5 miles
2300' climb
3 hours
|
89% FIRE ROAD3% PAVED8% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Mount Veeder Road
Mount Veeder Road
A popular wine-country ride through backroads with little traffic, sure to be enjoyed by anyone who doesn't mind a tough climb of limited length.
22 miles
1750' climb
2.5 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Nicasio Reservoir Loop
Nicasio Reservoir Loop
My shortest and easiest suggestion for an "idyllic Marin road ride", for those times when you have the least amount of time and energy available.
27 miles
1500' climb
3 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Oat Hill Mine Road
Oat Hill Mine Road
A top-notch advanced ride for experienced riders who cherish technical trails. Postcard-like views are a bonus.
10.5 miles
2300' climb
4 hours
|
100% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Paradise Loop
Paradise Loop
An easy and very scenic coastal road ride that could also present the possibility of post-ride treats in cute downtown Tiburon.
11 miles
850' climb
1.5 hours
|
12% PAVED88% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Pine Mountain Loop
Pine Mountain Loop
A historic ride in Marin's hallowed mountain biking ground with plenty of technical and rocky fire road fun and wide open views.
14 miles
2950' climb
4 hours
|
100% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Point Reyes (Drakes Head)
Point Reyes (Drakes Head)
A remote and extremely scenic mountain bike ride unusual in its setting, fun, and surprising technical challenges.
12 miles
1550' climb
3 hours
|
57% SINGLETRACK43% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Point Reyes (road ride)
Point Reyes (road ride)
A very scenic ride where you can escape from heat and catch some meditative solitude without having to push yourself too hard, at least as long as you can manage to catch a day with good weather.
33 miles
3300' climb
4.5 hours
|
3% PAVED97% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Pope Valley Loop
Pope Valley Loop
A quiet ride, free from suffering, that takes you across three valleys in the wine country, as long as you're willing to take a chance on a closed road.
34 miles
2500' climb
4 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Repack Road (via Camp Tamarancho)
Repack Road (via Camp Tamarancho)
This mixed ride should please intermediate to advanced riders with a traversal of the course of the historic Repack Race as well as the inclusion of some of the technical singletrack goodness of Tamarancho.
13.5 miles
2500' climb
3.5 hours
|
36% SINGLETRACK40% FIRE ROAD24% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Repack Road (via Deer Park)
Repack Road (via Deer Park)
A ride for experiencing the famous Repack Road while getting there through a course following Fairfax fire roads.
13 miles
2050' climb
2.5 hours
|
3% SINGLETRACK63% FIRE ROAD34% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Ridgecrest Boulevard
Ridgecrest Boulevard
Ride possibly the most scenic road in the Bay Area and a calm lakeshore portion of Highway 1 on this short route.
18 miles
2450' climb
2.5 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Rockville (Suggestion 1)
Rockville (Suggestion 1)
A short ride without much climbing in this little park with plenty of singletrack trails. This 7-mile ride feels more like a 10 or 12-miler due to the technical nature of the trails.
7 miles
1350' climb
2.5 hours
|
89% SINGLETRACK11% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Rockville (Suggestion 2)
Rockville (Suggestion 2)
A ton of very technical singletrack in this small park! It's a shame this particular ride includes so few of them.
7 miles
1500' climb
3.5 hours
|
82% SINGLETRACK18% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Skyline Wilderness (Suggestion 1)
Skyline Wilderness (Suggestion 1)
A very small trail network of highly technical singletrack. Not to be missed by any experienced rider, not recommended to any beginner.
7 miles
1850' climb
2.5 hours
|
81% SINGLETRACK19% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Skyline Wilderness (Suggestion 2)
Skyline Wilderness (Suggestion 2)
A slightly more substantial, slightly less grueling, and more fun variation of Suggestion 1. A delightful little ride on technical singletrack trails.
9.5 miles
2050' climb
3 hours
|
73% SINGLETRACK27% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Sonoma to Rohnert Park
Sonoma to Rohnert Park
Probably not the most perfect road route through the Sonoma wine country, but a ride that offers plenty of possibilities for shorter variations to suite a variety of needs.
42 miles
3250' climb
5 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Sugarloaf Ridge
Sugarloaf Ridge
A short loop that's challenging enough to be a good advanced workout ride while providing grand views. The punishing climb and the very steep descent make it unsuitable to beginners.
7 miles
1800' climb
2 hours
|
65% FIRE ROAD28% PAVED7% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Sweetwater Springs Road
Sweetwater Springs Road
A modest loop through a sweet and secluded wine country backroad made discouraging by a brutal climb. For those who appreciate perks, this ride provides historic interest (an old mine), indulgence (winery rest stops), small-town window shopping, and maybe even a dip in Russian River.
26 miles
2300' climb
3 hours
|
100% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Terra Linda - Sleepy Hollow Divide
Terra Linda - Sleepy Hollow Divide
A short fire-road ride that doesn't hold too much interest unless you're desperate for something different in this area or unless you incorporate it into a longer ride.
9.5 miles
2000' climb
2 hours
|
80% FIRE ROAD1% PAVED19% ROAD
|
|
|
|
|
Fun |
|
Scenic |
|
Aerobic |
|
Technical |
|
|
Willow Creek
Willow Creek
A hidden gem that's a worthwhile option even for advanced riders if you live within a reasonable distance and can catch a reservation for the orientation session to get the required permit.
12 miles
2700' climb
4 hours
|
56% SINGLETRACK44% FIRE ROAD
|
|
|
|