Cycling & Mountain Biking
Taking in the Land of the Giants by bicycle is a whole different experience than by car. Without window barriers, you’re truly immersed in ancient forests, wild lands, and fresh ocean air.
The Avenue of the Giants offers one of the most scenic rides for cyclists in California. Expect a fair amount of traffic along this mostly flat 32-mile stretch — though most cars are diverted to U.S. 101, which runs parallel to the Avenue. Be aware that certain spots are a tight squeeze, with massive redwood trunks growing right up to the pavement and eliminating the shoulder.
Consider adding Bull Creek Flats Rd, a smaller and less developed section of road, to lengthen your redwoods bike ride. Avenue of the Giants and Bull Creek Flats are two legs of the famous Tour of the Unknown Coast, a challenging century ride through Humboldt County that includes spectacular scenery along with rough road and strenuous climbs.
Mountain bikers will find plenty of challenging terrain on the superb Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Loop in the rugged King Range National Conservation Area — one of the Bureau of Land Management’s Top 20 “Backyard to Backcountry” treasures. Developed in concert with mountain biking advocates and clubs in the redwoods region, the trails have been designed and constructed for a mountain bike optimized experience, as well as sustainability.
Enjoy varying level of difficulty and diverse scenic terrain on the loop trail, from fir-covered mountains — including the 2850-foot Queen Peak, north of Shelter Cove — to vistas of the Pacific Ocean. The trail is meant to be ridden clockwise from the trailhead to take advantage of bank turns, jumps, and technical sections. Add in the 7-mile black diamond singletrack Pacific Rim trail from Shelter Cove Road for the complete Lost Coast experience.
To access the Paradise Royale trail system, take U.S. Hwy 101 to the Redway/Garberville exit, then follow signs to Shelter Cove/King Range National Conservation Area. Approximately 20 miles west from Redway, turn right onto King Peak Road (dirt road). Travel approximately 2 miles to the Paradise Royale day-use trailhead. Note: Please drive slowly on King Peak Road; the first 2 miles are along private property.