Top Picks for Family-friendly Cycling

BUTTE COUNTY

Bidwell Park; Chico

3,670-acre park offers miles of trails through Upper and Lower Bidwell Park. Choose an easy lower loop and stop at a few different playgrounds.

Map: chico.ca.us/general_services_department/park_division/documents/UpperLowerParkMap.pdf

Black Butte Lake; Oroville

Over 20 miles of multi-use trails with scenic vistas and wildlife viewing. Picnic areas around the lake and you may want to stop by the playground at The Buckhorn Recreation Area. Trail ratings not known.

Map: spk.usace.army.mil/Portals/12/documents/parks_lakes/BlackButte/BBL_Trail_Map.pdf

B-line Transit Bike Maps; Chico

From flats for easy rides and commuting to more challenging foothill rides, the Butte County terrain offers a variety of interconnected trails to explore.

Map (Chico Area): blinetransit.com/documents/Bike_Maps/Bike_Map_2014_Front_300dpi.jpg

Map (Lower/Upper Bidwell Park): blinetransit.com/documents/Bike_Maps/Bike_Map_2014_Back_300dpi.jpg

Chico Velo Cycling Club Local Routes; Chico

Website offering some of Chico Velo’s favorite cycling routes from Chico’s flat 16-mile River Road to the 64-mile Meridian-River Road in Durham. chicovelo.org/local-routes.html.

SHASTA COUNTY

Arboretum Loop Trail and Eagle Loop; Redding

1.2-mile Arboretum Loop and 1-mile Eagle Loop; mostly paved flat trails with views of the Sacramento River and the Sundial Bridge. Viewpoints offer places to observe wildlife, including resident bald eagles on the Eagle Loop.

Map: healthyshasta.org/maps

Anderson River Park; Anderson

Route 1 is 1.25 miles of easy, paved trail. Route 2 combines 1.5 miles of moderate paved, gravel, dirt, and grassy trail. Route 3 is 2.75 miles of moderate paved, gravel, dirt, and grassy trail. Route 4 is an easy .75-mile dirt and gravel trail. Park includes a playground

Map and Info: ci.anderson.ca.us/andersonca/departments/community_services1/uploads/Anderson_Walks_Guide_Web1.pdf

Churn Creek Greenway, Redding McConnell Foundation Trails; Redding

3.5 miles of compacted gravel trails; easily bikeable with wider tires and wide stroller wheels. Mostly flat with some rolling hills that add to the fun and adventure. Trails lead to Minder Park Playground off Minder Drive in Redding.

Map: http://www.mcconnellfoundation.org/trails/

Clover Creek Preserve; Redding

1.5-mile flat paved loop. Views are wide and make it easy to keep an eye on children biking ahead. Additional dirt trails lead to a pond and add to the nature and wildlife viewing experience.

Map and Info: healthyshasta.org/be-active/biking/

The Great Shasta Rail Trail; Burney

40 miles of open trail sections on this planned 80-mile trail linking Burney and McCloud. Red cinder trail compacted in the center but be careful of loose sides. A more advanced family adventure; prepare for wilderness conditions with extra food and water.

Map and Info: greatshastarailtrail.org

Sacramento River Trail; Redding

11 miles of paved, mostly flat trail with some rolling hills. Access a section of the trail near the Middle Creek Trail intersection and find river views, picnic spots, a Peace Labyrinth of painted rocks (have fun adding to it!), and playground stops including Amethyst Park, Jump River, and Caldwell Junior Bike Park.Map and Info: http://www.traillink.com/trail/sacramento-river-trail/

Swasey Recreation Area, Beginner Loop; Redding

3.5 miles of dirt trails; bikeable with child’s strider bike and bicycles with wider tires. Mostly flat with some rolling hills. A beginner-friendly mountain bike experience.

Map: http://www.bigfootmtbchallenge.com/routes

SISKIYOU COUNTY

Gateway Trail Loop; Mt. Shasta

10.6-mile singletrack loop trail for intermediate level mountain bikers. A popular, mostly wooded cross-country ride in Mt. Shasta. Be ready for a combination of smooth berms and a little more technical rocky areas.

Map: mtbproject.com/trail/7013462/gateway-trail-loop

Greenhorn Park; Yreka

A variety of trail types that allow bikes; lake access, a playground, and viewing old mining artifacts.

Map: cyclesiskiyou.com/greenhorn-park-trails/

Lake Siskiyou Trail; Mt. Shasta area

6.9-mile scenic singletrack loop trail around Lake Siskiyou. Easy to intermediate hardpack trail and a ride across Wagon Creek Bridge (suspension bridge).  Family and dog friendly, with many places to take a break. Stunning views of Lake Siskiyou, the dam, woodlands, meadows and surrounding mountains.

Map: mtbproject.com/trail/7011499/lake-siskiyou-trail

Siskiyou Scenic Bicycle Tour

Takes place each May. All bikes welcome, including electric bikes. Fee; must register.

Registration: yrekarotary.com/2019-siskiyou-scenic-bicycle-ride-registration/

OTHER AREAS

Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail; Susanville

25.4 miles of gravel and dirt trail following the old Fenley and Lassen Branch Line of the Southern Pacific railroad. Best with mountain bikes, possible to pull children in a tagalong or bike trailer, just more challenging. Use trailheads including Susanville, Hobo Camp, and Devils Corral to enjoy sections of the trail.

Map and Info: blm.gov/visit/bizz-johnson

Trinity Trail Alliance; Trinity County

Multi-use easy to intermediate trails. The Weaver Basin Trail System in Weaverville has 50 miles of multi-use trails. The 4-mile Trinity Lakeshore Trail at Trinity Lake winds through shaded forest. The Ewing Reservoir Trail System in Hayfork is a 2.5-mile loop following the reservoir shoreline.

Maps and Info: trinitytrailalliance.com/trails.html