There are many phenomenal mountain bike trails near Downtown L.A. Today we’re presenting you the best 7! Enjoy these beautiful summer days in nature, biking and hiking and admire breathtaking views! Be careful, bring a map, hydrate and wear a sun lotion! Have fun!
KEN BURTON LOOP, ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 15 miles
- Difficulty: Advanced
Ken Burton Loop is only 15 miles from Downtown L.A. and still today the only official trail built by and for mountain bikers in Angeles National Forest. It’s super close to DTLA and it gets the climbing out of the way at the beginning, which means the flowy cruise back to the car via the Gabrielino Trail is a blast, making it one of the nicest bike trails Los Angeles provides. The difficulty is advanced – we recommend it if you have plenty of experience!
PORTUGUESE BEND RESERVE LOOP, RANCHO PALOS VERDES
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 26 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
It is located within the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, and it’s one of the best mountain bike trails in L.A. with its breathtaking ocean views and various challenges. It’s good to take a map, as some of the trail junctions aren’t marked. The loop is best ridden from the trailhead adjacent to Ladera Linda Community Center, which allows mountain bikers to finish on a descent.
TOPANGA CREEK OUTPOST LOOP, TOPANGA STATE PARK
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 27 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
First you’ll climb moderate singletrack on the Deer Hill trail, which opens up into a meadow carpeted with wildflowers during the springtime. The highlight is the Mulholland Drive Fire Road, which boasts awe-inspiring views of the San Fernando Valley and the Pacific Ocean, not to mention the gorgeous red canyons of Topanga State Park. Please beware that the crux of the route is a technical and there’s rocky waterfall section near the end.
BACKBONE TRAIL, SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 30 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
This Trail is among the favorite ones – The Santa Monica Mountains provide the perfect vantage point for views of Hollywood and the Pacific Ocean, and the trail itself is steeped in history – sections of the Backbone Trail run through the M*A*S*H 1970 film set. It includes a few tight turns!
CHEESEBORO LOOP, SANTA MONICA NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 34 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate/Advanced
The trails here are not very technical, but there is not cell service at many places and you will probably enjoy some me time since there aren’t many people especially on a weekday.
NEW MILLENNIUM TRAIL, MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 35 miles
- Difficulty: Advanced
This is a mostly-singletrack ride without many obstacles, but it’s still a though one: steep climbs and tight switchbacks mean it requires some skill to navigate. It offers stunning views of Calabasas and its surrounding foothills.
GUADALASCA TRAIL, POINT MUGU STATE PARK
- Distance from Downtown L.A.: 47 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
It features more than 70 miles of trail, including the switchback-heavy Guadalasca which is is 3.2 miles each way, and makes an excellent link-up with the Backbone Downhill Trail. You’ll enjoy the Pacific Ocean views on a clear day – the proximity to the ocean keeps the ride relatively cool, but it’s best ridden in the morning or evening during the summer.
Source: discoverlosangeles.com
