Auburn - Folsom Area
(includes Salmon Falls and Sweetwater Trails and The Olmstead Loop)
Great winter and spring riding within a half hours drive from Sacramento
Best For: Beginners and Intermediates
Suitable for: All levels
Ground Cover: Oak forests, grasslands
Season: Year round though extremely hot in summer

Photos

Nevada City Area
Great rides through region steeped in California history. South Yuba Trail is an advanced riders dream.
Best for: Advanced riders
Suitable for: All levels
Ground cover: Mostly mixed forest
Seasons: Year round though higher elevations may have snow in winter

North Yuba River and Bullards Bar
Technical Downieville-like single-track at lower elevation. Great for advanced riders and strong intermediates. Some easier riding at Bullards Bar
Best for:Advanced/intermediate riders
Suitable for: Strong beginners and better
Ground Cover: Ranges from mixed semi-open forest on parts of the Noth Yuba Trail to dense evergreen forest at Bullards Bar
Seasons: Year round

Downieville Area
Home of the world famous Downieville downhill, this region is a mecca for advanced riders. Many rides served by shuttles run by local bike shops.
Best for: Advanced riders
Suitable for: Strong Intermediates and better
Ground Cover: Evergreen forest
Seasons: Late spring through fall

Lake Tahoe back to top

Emigrant Gap to Donner Pass
Beautiful alpine riding for strong intermediates (Hole-in-the-ground Loop) and advanced riders (Grouse Ridge).
Best for: Advanced riders
Suitable for: Strong intermediates and better
Ground Cover: Forests, meadows and lakes
Seasons: Summer and fall. Snow-pack can linger into July

Tahoe City Area
Great for beginners. Vast trail network makes for numerous ride possibilities for mountain bikers of all abilities.
Best for: Intermediates
Suitable for: All levels
Ground Cover: Mostly evergreen forest
Seasons: Summer and fall. Possible snow-pack into July

Lake Tahoe - Nevada
Anchored by the world-famous Flume Trail, the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe features spectacular riding and even better scenery.
Best for: Intermediates
Suitable for: Strong beginners and better
Ground Cover: Evergreen forests, rock fields, lakes
Seasons: Summer through fall. Snowpack can linger on some trails into July

South Lake Tahoe Area
A short drive from the congestion of South Lake Tahoe is a bounty of great mountain biking trails. Strong intermediates and advanced riders will love the world famous Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as well as the other possibilities afforded by the Tahoe Rim Trail. Beginners can head over to Burnside or Angora Lakes for some easier fire road rides
Best for:  Advanced
Suitable for: All levels
Ground Cover: Forest and alpine meadows
Seasons: Summer through fall.