Los Angeles is a beautifully scenic area to mountain bike in, especially because of the gorgeous Santa Monica Mountains that rise above LA. All year round, this mountainous region provides a wonderful setting for mountain biking. There are several trails and routes that are especially popular and enjoyable.
The Paseo Miramar/ Topanga Loop is one the foremost mountain biking destinations in Los Angeles. This scenic route starts near the Pacific Coast Highway in the Pacific Palisades. The incline is steep, and it really gives you a killer workout for your legs. You can use either dirt or paved paths, and it is recommended that novices begin on the paved areas. You should get accustomed to riding your mountain bike on less steep dirt trails before you try to ride up the Paseo Miramar. After you get up the steep beginning, you will come out onto the Parker Mesa Overlook, which is stunningly beautiful, and from here on, the ride is much less physically challenging. This is one of the most popular trails in LA because it offers so many remarkable views. You can see volcanic boulders and picturesque natural wonders from such peaks as Trippet Ranch (where you will also find the rest rooms) and Eagle Rock. Be sure to bring a camera, because you will want to capture the views from Eagle Rock for sure.
The San Merrill is another great trail in the Los Angeles area. When you ride up this trail to Echo Mountain, you will be pleased to see a lovely view of trees and rocks. From Echo Mountain, you can cruise over to Mt. Lowe Railway and Alpine Tavern. Alpine Tavern is a great spot to take a break before you head back down. There are several mountain biking groups that frequent these trails because the paths are wide enough to accommodate. It is a rocky trail, though, so experience with rough rides is quite helpful. If you are not very experienced, you should not ride this trail on your own.
The Verdugo Mountains also have great trails to try out. There are dirt trails and paved trails, making this location appropriate for beginning and experienced mountain bikers alike. This is also a very popular hiking area, so don’t be surprised if you pass some hikers on your grind up the mountains. You should be able to view the San Gabriel Mountains and the islands that lay off the southern California coast from the peaks and plateaus on this mountain’s trails. You can also stop along the path to sit on wooden benches that are in place so that bikers and hikers can take a relaxing look at the natural beauty around these trails.
One LA bike path that you might want to avoid is the Los Angeles River Bikeway, which runs from Griffin Park to Elysian Park. The terrain is easy to ride on, and so it attracts many beginners, but the surroundings are pretty shabby and unappealing. For one, there is traffic in the area that can make the route somewhat dangerous – we all know that many drivers are not nearly as aware of bikers as they should be, and that is a reality that bikers have to be responsible for. Also, the exhaust fumes coming off the highway make for a greatly unpleasant riding experience. Sticking to trails that are imbedded in more mountainous, less populous, areas is the best bet when you are trying to spot great riding locations.
