
With over 300 days of sun per year, Redding is renowned as California’s sunniest city. The community of 95,000 is located in the northern reaches of the expansive state, just 120 miles south of the Oregon border. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides, which makes it an ideal spot for mountain bike trails.
And Redding has plenty of them — over 200 miles within a 15-mile radius of downtown. It’s no wonder that Redding is called the “Trails Capital of California.” To say there is something for every type of rider would be a gross understatement.
With help from Visit Redding, I had the opportunity to spend a few days exploring Redding’s trails and discovering what the city has to offer for riders, both on and off the bike.
Redding is permeated by singletrack trails
Nathan Knudsen, the Executive Director of the Redding Trail Alliance (RTA), along with his wife Camille, joined me for a ride during my visit. Knudsen told me that Redding’s trail network was largely carved out by a small group of dedicated volunteers, with the McConnell Foundation taking the lead.
As time went on, others joined in, eventually forming RTA in 2016. RTA is now the principal organization responsible for building and maintaining the trails in Redding and the surrounding area. RTA isn’t just a mountain bike club—it supports all trail users. Still, it builds with riders in mind and advocates effectively for their needs alongside those of other groups.
While the area’s trails are open to all user groups, many are bike-optimized and are recommended for single use. Additionally, Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on all trails in the Redding area, except for a few located on Forest Service land north of town.
Several of the trail systems are linked together by the Sacramento River Trail, a paved, multi-use trail that follows the Sacramento River through the city and up to the Shasta Dam. The trail also provides easy access to places in town, and it serves as the starting point for the Great Central Valley Bicycle Route, which covers 650 miles from Redding to Bakersfield.


The local government is working to bring even more biking opportunities to its residents
I met Leah Mancabelli, the Project Coordinator with the City of Redding Community Services Department, at the site where the Redding Bike Park was being built. She showed me an asphalt pump track that had already been completed, and over 15,000 cubic yards of donated dirt, stacked in piles, waiting to be sifted and shaped into three different jump lines. The park was a stone’s throw from the Sacramento River Trail.
Nearby, the city and RTA, with the help of the McConnell Foundation, built the Caldwell Junior Bike Park to cater to the smallest shredders in the area. It has a small pump track and several different features that are perfect for pint-sized riders on balance bikes.

The local government is also helping to grow the riding scene by finding ways to connect more trail systems and build new networks on land that will soon contain housing developments. Travis Menne, the Director of the Community Services Department, joined Mancabelli and me for lunch and explained that CA Govt Code § 831.4 provides the city with immunity from liability for injuries sustained on recreational trails. Menne said that the law has helped it obtain easements from private landowners to build more trails.
And, after experiencing wildfires in recent years, Mancabelli said that landowners now look at trails as potential firebreaks and welcome their development.
Redding’s trails deliver unique experiences
Thanks to Alexis Brown, the owner of the Redding Adventure Hub, I had the use of an e-bike for the duration of my stay in Redding. I used it to its full advantage, covering over 80 miles of trail in four days. Every one of my rides gave me a different experience and a new appreciation for riders who live in the area.
At sunrise on my first day in town, I headed out the front door of my Airbnb, rode halfway down the driveway, and entered the Westside Trails. I made my way up to The Top of the World, a lookout that offers a 360-degree view of the area, including Mount Shasta, Mount Lassen, the Trinity range, and the city. Despite being close to houses, these trails offer riders an open-range feel without being too technical.
The next morning, the Knudsens met me at my Airbnb and we rode down to the Salt Creek Trails. This trail system is aptly named because it follows the path of a rocky creek bed. These trails had more vegetation surrounding them than the Westside Trails, but Knudsen said they are a lot more exposed now than before the fires. They also had more rocks in the trail, making the riding a little tricky at times.
From there, we used the Buenaventura Trail to hop over to the Canyon Hollow Trail System. The Canyon Holler trail was the true gem in the network, offering good shade and fun flow. It’s a great daytime ride when the temperatures start to climb.

On day three, Brian Crane from the RTA then took me to Swasey Recreation Area, located out past the Westside Trails. He introduced me to Redding’s newest trail, K’ulu:l (pronounced Ka-Loo), which was opened just two weeks prior to my arrival. It’s a machine-built flow trail that delivers an entertaining, playful ride. We also rode Mule Ridge, Princess Ditch, Owen’s Trail, and Enticer, a black-rated jump trail with blue-rated ride-arounds that make it a fun flow trail for riders who prefer to keep their wheels on the ground.
On my last day in Redding, I rode along the Sacramento River Trail, crossed the ribbon bridge, and entered the FB Trail. Named after Francis Berg, the person who planned and helped build the trail, it is an epic 22-mile out-and-back cross-country trail that takes riders past Keswick Dam and up to Shasta Dam, providing stunning views along the way. There are also a couple of trails that branch off it, providing even more mileage.




To get a real backcountry feel, head to Whiskeytown and Weaverville
Located just northwest of the city, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area offers riders both smooth flow trails and rocky, technical trails. A handful of stunning waterfalls and the clear expanse of the lake add natural highlights that make the riding even more enjoyable.
Further to the northwest, but still within an hour’s drive, lies the hidden gem of Weaverville. This tiny town of just under 4,000 people is home to epic singletrack in the Weaver Basin Trail System. Plus, you can start and end your ride at the Trinity County Brewing Company, which has great burgers and sandwiches, the best homemade fries I’ve ever had, and excellent craft beers.
While there aren’t any commercial shuttles to the top of Weaver Bally, we were able to self-shuttle the forest service road easily. Rumor has it that a commercial shuttle company may be coming soon.
We began our descent on the Sweepstakes Trail, an intermediate-rated trail that is not for the faint of heart. It has numerous switchbacks and a big drop-off on one side of the trail. The Knudsens’ trail dog, Suku, joined us on the ride. Unlike me, she was not intimidated by the trail and eagerly bounded down it, following closely behind Nathan.
Once we made it through the Sweepstakes trail, the exposure disappeared. I began to relax and had a great time. Trails like East Weaver Creek and Ten Cent Gulch took us through beautifully wooded parts of the mountain before the Taylor Street Trail dumped us out in a neighborhood of restored Victorian-style houses just behind the brewery.

When to visit
The best times to visit Redding are in the spring or fall. Summers in Redding can be unbearably hot during the day, with temperatures rising to well over 100 degrees for several days in a row. Winters in Redding can be wet, often creating ideal hero dirt conditions after the rain clears. Winter is generally a popular riding season in Redding, with many mountain bikers heading south from Oregon in search of dry trails.
I visited it at the beginning of May and found the weather was perfect for riding. The lows around sunrise were in the upper 50s to low 60s, and the daytime highs reached into the upper 80s to low 90s. On most days, a nice breeze helped dissipate the heat, allowing me to ride at any time of day. Plus, even if the temperature in Redding was a little too hot for riding, the surrounding areas of Whiskeytown and Weaverville, located at higher elevations, were noticeably cooler.
Off the bike
Fuel up at one of Redding’s many fine eateries and breweries
I started my days in Redding with breakfast at the Old Shasta Coffee Company. They have great coffee and several breakfast items to choose from, including vegan options. For those who get a later start to their day, Le Testimony Organic Bistro offers a great brunch menu, featuring both sweet and savory crepes.

If you’re looking to refuel during the day between rides, Burrito Bandito has you covered. It has delicious burrito bowls that aren’t too heavy. Or check out Odell Craft Barbeque in the downtown area, offering premium barbeque. I highly recommend trying their Tri-Tip. Another great option is Honeymoon’s Kitchen, which offers tasty salads and sandwiches. I liked their muffaletta.
For dinner, Jack’s Bar and Grill has some of the best steak around. I recommend the Jack’s Stack, which consists of bite-size pieces of prime-grade steak mixed with onions and peppers in gravy and served over garlic toast. For pizza lovers, Cinder’s Wood Fired Pizza serves a selection of personal-sized specialty pizzas, or you can build your own. I can attest that their Bacon ‘N Brie pizza is phenomenal. And Pipeline Craft Taps and Kitchen offers great food and a wide selection of regional craft beers. I really enjoyed their Perfect Pear Salad.
If you’re looking for a post-ride beer, Fall River Brewing Company has you covered. It offers an MTB-themed beer, the Hazy Hardtail IPA, that was quite refreshing. Other local breweries include Final Draft Brewing Company and Woody’s Brewing Company.

When resting between rides, check out one of these great area attractions
There’s a lot to do in Redding besides riding trails. No visit to the city is complete without seeing the Sundial Bridge. The $23.5 million bridge, which is 217 feet tall and 700 feet long, serves as the centerpiece of the city. It was opened to the public on July 4, 2004, and is the starting point for the Sacramento River Trail.
The bridge connects the two sides of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, a 300-acre cultural center that features a museum, indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, playgrounds, and botanical gardens.
History buffs can check out the Shasta Courthouse Museum just north of town. The restored building once served as the Shasta County Courthouse during the late 1800s. Nearby, there are brick ruins of the town’s old shopping district.
The Lake Shasta Caverns are located thirty minutes north of Redding. This underground wonder has been open to the public since 1964 and recently had its lighting refurbished with over 1,000 new LEDs.
Additionally, there are opportunities to paddleboard, kayak, and fly fish along the entire Sacramento River. And, for those who want to get an aerial view of the area, a helicopter tour from Air Shasta Rotor & Wing is just the ticket.



Redding offers a variety of lodging options at every price point
Visitors to Redding have numerous lodging options. There are several hotels, a few of which are located close to the Sacramento River Trail, allowing riders to access nearby trail systems directly from the hotel entrance.
Redding also offers a few unique bed and breakfasts that showcase the area’s rich history. There are also RV parks that offer you a close-up view of the natural surroundings.
For those who prefer vacation rentals, Redding has many to choose from, including the Relaxing Hilltop Haven, where I stayed. It’s a 3-bedroom, 3-bath house listed on Airbnb that can accommodate up to eight people. It’s located right off the Westside Trails and provides easy access to the Salt Creek Trails as well. Its amenities include an outdoor kitchen, a billiard table, and a jacuzzi tub with a fireplace in the master bath.

Parting thoughts
Redding checks all the boxes for a legit mountain bike destination: diverse trails, scenic landscapes, and plenty to explore when you’re off the bike.
Most of all, unlike some mountain bike “destinations”, it wasn’t trying too hard to be one. The trails never felt artificial or manufactured. There wasn’t a mountain bike-themed this and that everywhere I looked, and there weren’t hordes of riders clogging the trails.
If you want to escape to a place where you can breathe, a place where you can be by yourself on the trails for hours at a time, surrounded only by nature, then Redding is the destination for you.
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