Must-ride mountain biking and sublime hiking destinations from Lake Tahoe to Yakima Valley
By Bella Kiriakis
The Western United States is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering an abundance of scenic trails perfect for both mountain biking and hiking. There are countless destinations across the area that combine technical terrain with incredible natural beauty. Many of these same locations also offer breathtaking hiking trails for an added bonus! Travel to eight of the top biking and hiking hotspots across the Western U.S. that are ready to host your next unforgettable mountain biking event.
Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Despite being known for winter sports, the Lake Tahoe area provides numerous opportunities for summer fun on the mountains. Its trails feature panoramic lake views, winding forest paths and rides suitable for every skill level.
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a world-class route offering everything from moderate climbs to thrilling descents, great for both competitive and recreational riders. The trail is also open to hikers looking for a more relaxed trek up the mountain. The trails are maintained by over 15,000 volunteers on and off the trail every year, making the Tahoe Rim Trail enjoyable for everyone.
For more advanced bikers, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is an iconic must-do. The trail contains rocky and technical descents through a vibrant landscape that are an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Riders are encouraged to bring their long-travel bikes, since this trail can be tackled as a 6-mile descent, a 30-mile ride known as “The Punisher,” or an epic 60-mile challenge dubbed the “Uber Punisher.” All those seeking a heart-pumping ride should check out this Lake Tahoe mountain riding haven.
Eugene, Cascades & Coast, Oregon
Dubbed as one of Bike Magazine’s “Best Mountain Biking Towns,” Eugene, Oregon and the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region provide many thrilling and easy trails, along with beautiful scenery for riders to enjoy.
Check out Oakridge, where mountain bikers from across the country come to trek its famous trails. With more than 300 miles of single-track riding available year-round, there is a track for bikers of all levels. Oakridge hosts the multi-day Mountain Bike Oregon festival, which is Oregon’s longest-running mountain bike festival featuring three days of singletrack riding.
The Diamond Creek Trails, a must-see route for hookers looking for waterfalls, are close to Oakridge. Visitors looking to experience hiking in Oregon can hike up Diamond Creek Falls Trail #3598 to view 3 beautiful and distinct waterfalls.
Along the lush McKenzie River, there is a unique trail that is a must for avid bikers. Along a river, where waterfalls run and water sports reign supreme, riders will discover beautiful bike tracks. The trail is open to everyone of all levels, but there are more technical segments for more advanced riders.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a region with diverse terrain perfect for hosting a wide range of events, from endurance loops to beginner-friendly rides. One such mountain is the Garden of Gods Park, a geological feat of nature that hosts biking hiking trails for all to enjoy its marvels. Voted as the #1 US Park by Trip Advisor, Garden of Gods Park is aptly named, as the picturesque trails found there are a wonder.
Within Garden of the Gods Park, The Ute Trail is a 5-mile, beginner friendly mountain that is great for a relaxing ride through beautiful scenery. Bikers can explore the gorhouse red spiral formations as they trek through the park. Additionally, check out Palmer Pike Loop, a more moderate bike route on a path with small amounts of technical riding and views of downtown Colorado Springs. There are also a number of hikes offered at Garden of Gods, for visitors looking for a slow stroll through the one-of-a-kind environment. Explore Perkins Central Garden Trail, an easy 1.5-mile hike that is accessible for everyone, including guests with disabilities.
Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon holds many spectacular mountain bike riding trails. Specifically, the Black Rock Mountain Area provides trails for all visitors. Located west of Salem, the routes have well-made features with plenty of options for bikers of all levels, making Salem a bucket-list place.
Banzai Downhill is an easy to moderate trail, with some jumps and other features, which makes it perfect for beginners or more advanced riders looking to have some fun. The mountain area also offers the Sickter Gnar trail, a ride appropriately named for a difficult trail for high-level riders looking for some gnar on a trail full of drops, rocks and descents.
If you enjoy heights, visit Salem’s tree climbing at Silver Falls. This operation is the only tour in the U.S. with government permission to guide participants up some of the largest trees in the world. This tour allows visitors to explore Oregon’s ancient forests like no other.
Adventure to the Western United States to try out new trails!
Stillwater, Oklahoma
For a trip more inland, travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma where you can pay a visit to Lake McMurtry to its stunning mountain bike and hike routes. With over 30 miles of trails, this system is considered one of the best in Oklahoma. Each trail offers a distinct experience; from scenic paths to more rugged routes, every trail is worth exploring. Some even feature designated campsites for an extended adventure.
Lake McMurtry’s Orange Trail boasts some of the best views of the lake in the system, and is suitable for both mountain bike riders and hikers. It’s about 10 miles in length, single track and is very popular among the locals.
The Blue Trail is also suitable for both hikers and bikers. It is 7.3 miles, and single track, with some rugged terrain. Perfect for bikers (or hikers!) who want to explore Oklahoma’s wooded areas.
Downieville, California
Downieville’s extensive mountain bike system spans trails that are suitable for all riders. Routes have varieties in technical level and vertical feet, and even the most inaccessible trails cannot be ridden by use of shuttles and e-bikes.
Downieville Downhill is part of the Downieville Classic, a 15-mile downhill competition that goes through every type of terrain. It starts above Downieville, descending 5,000 feet to the end of town.
This area offers many trails, from Downie River Trail that combines technical water crossings and steep drops and climbs, to North Yuba Trail, a 16-mile trek that hosts short climbs and descents with beautiful views of the Yuba River.
Visitors can also enjoy the Sierra Nevada mountains on foot. Downieville offers hikes for people of all abilities: explore the Sierra Buttes hike, which is a moderate 5.2-mile round-trip hike that offers a stunning view as a reward for getting to the top, or try out the more difficult Second Divide Trail, which takes hikers past old miners’ cabins.
Walnut Creek, California
Adventure to the Bay Area to explore the beautiful scenery of Walnut Creek on the trails of Mount Diablo. These trails are designed to help bikers enjoy the park safely, without damaging the environment.
Try out Buckeye Trail, an intermediate ride that is a gradual downhill with a few steep places. This is a great single track to start on as it goes through grasslands and canyons.
Mount Diablo also features the Oyster Point Trail, which is a more secluded route with rugged, rocky terrain that rewards adventurous hikers with a worthwhile trek.
For hikers, explore Mount Diablo on foot on its numerous hikes, spanning in all ranges of difficulty. One such popular hike is Wall Point-Pine Canyon Loop, a moderate route with 1,400 feet of elevation gain that features the habitats of the local wildlife. Hikers can catch a glimpse of black-chinned sparrow, a peregrine falcon or even a wild turkey!
Yakima Valley, Washington
In Yakima Valley, Washington, there are dozens of single track routes for mountain bikers, ranging hundreds of miles. Visitors can expect varieties of terrain from desert to shrub steppe, to forests and vistas, making every ride a different experience.
Discover Cowiche Canyon Conservatory, where there are many single-track rides through the conservation area made up of meadows, grasslands and more. The Rocky Top is one mountain bike area within the conservatory where trails run at all difficulties. Featuring 17 trail heads, and located just 10 miles from downtown Yakima, there is something for everyone.
This trail is also open to hikers, where there are also four accessible trailheads in the conservatory for hikers specifically. In all, there are over 30 miles of maintained routes, all close to Downtown Yakima.
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Main image: Lake McMurtry is famous for more than 30 miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails that run along its shores. Photo courtesy of Visit Stillwater.
