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Day Mountain Bike Tours
1. Mt. Tamalpais-West Peak
2. El Corte Madera Creek Open Space Preserve - Skegg’s Point
3. Marin Headlands - Tennessee Valley
4. Bolinas Ridge
1. Mt. Tamalpais-West Peak
Mt. Tamalpais is considered by many to be the backyard of where the roots of mountain biking began about 25 years ago. It all started when a radical put oversized rubber tires and gears on his cruiser to rip up and down the trails of this landmark peak just north of San Francisco. As the locals see it, this is a mecca for mountain biking. Mt. Tam still offers many heart-stopping trails that offer magnificent terrain and vistas of the ocean and bay below. This ride begins near downtown Mill Valley on the Old Railroad Grade. From there it is a solid 7-mile (7% grade) up to the top of this 2,500-foot peak. We will stop at the West Point Inn for the breathtaking views, water, snacks and a quick rest before saddling up for the last portion of our climb. We will lock our bikes at the visitor's center and hike the remaining mile or so to the top where we'll soak in the panoramic 360-degree views and revel in the ambiance while eating lunch. Then it's time to relax and let gravity take its course as we cruise all the way to the bottom. Expect to see plenty of Bishop pines, Douglas firs and Chaparral as we experience one of mountain biking's original destinations.
Trip Details:
| Distance: |
14 miles |
| Level: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation Change: |
4,700 ft |
| Rating: |
* * * * |
| Time: |
9:30am-2:30pm |
| Price: |
Call 1-866-ESCAPE-5 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
$19 |
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| Notes: |
Good workout, great views, & Gardner Lookout. |
2. El Corte Madera Creek Open Space Preserve-Skegg's Point
Skegg's Point was once a prime logging location due to its great redwood groves back in the 1800's after the discovery of gold in the California foothills. Since then, this area has become a preserve back in 1988 and today this pristine 2,821-acre preserve with thirty-six miles of riding trails offers incredible mountain biking. Leaving from Skegg's Point, we immediately point our bikes downhill towards El Corte Madera Creek and travel through lush vegetation that changes from mixed evergreen forests to predominately redwood forests as we descend into the preserve. Most of the riding is smooth single-track and hairpin switchbacks with gentle and steep descents into several deep lush valleys filled with ferns, Oaks and Redwoods. Some old mining remnants still exist and can be seen from this ride. A rare sandstone formation is located on the Tafoni trail where large sandstone boulders have naturally eroded over thousands of years to create small shallow caves in the rock, resembling stone honeycomb. This sandstone monolith was created from coastal fog, tectonic upward thrust and sandstone cliffs to provide the right combination for "Tafoni". The ride provides ocean vistas of Half Moon Bay, deep lush valleys and mixed ferns. This ride has smooth single track with plenty of switchbacks and hairpin turns to excite any mountain biker.
Trip Details:
| Distance: |
13 miles |
| Level: |
Moderate |
| Elevation Change: |
1,400 ft |
| Rating: |
* * * * |
| Time: |
9:30am-2:30pm |
| Price: |
Call 1-866-ESCAPE-5 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
$19 |
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| Notes: |
Nice wildflowers in the spring, overlooks and Redwood groves that give way to smooth single track as it gracefully winds through deep evergreen forests. |
3. Marin Headlands - Tennessee Valley
This ride begins in the historic Presidio National Park near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Once on the Golden Gate Bridge, views from all sides are abundant. Next, we ascend up into the Headlands on a short paved road before dropping down a smooth fire road into the vast and protected Rodeo Valley where it is not uncommon to see. We then begin a climb to the 800-foot mark before ascending back down into Tennessee Valley and the Miwok Stables. Relax here while enjoying our lunch before climbing back up to Wolf Ridge that is plentiful with vistas of the surrounding headlands and Pacific Ocean. Next we'll speed down the windswept ridge 600 feet to sea level and Tennessee Valley. Finally, it is back to the top of the Headlands on the Coastal trail and down to the Golden Gate to finish up this 17-mile loop. If you appreciate the sights of San Francisco, the North Bay, Marin Headlands and the Pacific Ocean, this is your perfect ride. Come experience natures best at San Francisco's doorstep.
Trip Details:
| Distance: |
17 miles
(6 paved) |
| Level: |
Difficult |
| Elevation Change: |
2,600 ft |
| Rating: |
* * * * |
| Time: |
9:30am-2:30pm |
| Price: |
Call 1-866-ESCAPE-5 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
$19 |
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| Notes: |
Lots of hill climbs but worth it. Occasionally we'll see deer, bobcats, lynx and amazing scenic vistas. |
4. Bolinas Ridge
The last time we rode this trail, a local was quoted as saying, "This is world class mountain biking and it doesn't get any better than this, Bra!" To be honest, this ride is purely amazing because it offers so much diversity of pure riding pleasure. We begin at 1,520 feet in the Redwoods at the trailhead and head south through a combination of deep forests, sunny knolls that gives way to an open landscape with rolling terrain and ranches spotted with cattle and wild deer. The double track provides sweeping vistas of Point Reyes and Bolinas Lagoon from high above at the 1,650 ft level. We will pass through several ranches on our way to our turn around point near Sir Francis Drake Blvd. This ride consistently includes a deep and dense forest to the East and open ridges with large vistas to the West. This is our most popular mountain bike ride because it can be enjoyed by all levels of ability.
Trip Details:
| Distance: |
12 miles |
| Level: |
All Levels |
| Elevation Change: |
700 ft |
| Rating: |
* * * * |
| Time: |
9:30am-3:30pm |
| Price: |
Call 1-866-ESCAPE-5 |
| Bicycle Rental: |
$19 |
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| Notes: |
Very impressive ride with superb deep redwood groves, vistas, nature and wildlife. Don't forget your camera. |
"Best Anniversary Yet! Skegg Point Mtn biking was just right and an excellent value."
-Mike Marzolf, Banking Executive, Menloe Park, Ca
"The bicycle is the last machine simple enough to be understood by its owner."
-Spokesong (Broadway play)
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