River of Bicycle Dreams

Biking The Sacramento River Trail in Redding, California

Cycling without having to worry about cars? Hooray! Cycling beside a gently flowing river through fall foliage? Double hooray! The Sacramento River Trail in Redding lives up to its reputation as a premier rail trail in the country: 17 miles of buttery pavement for bikes and pedestrians only. And fall is one of the best times to experience it. Starting from Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge, the trail follows the Sacramento River upstream for 17 miles (one-way), ending at Shasta Dam. The first few minutes riding through town you’ll encounter people, but before you know it, you’ll be cycling among the ponderosa pines and changing fall colors with no one in sight.

The first few miles, up to Keswick Dam, are mostly flat, but then comes “Heartrate Hill.” These hills and dips and curves are more like a rollercoaster and add some nice mix to the mostly flat ride. Don’t worry, it doesn’t go on long; soon enough you’ll be cruising on the flats again... until the final mile, that is! This is when you hit a work-for-it climb up to beautiful Lake Shasta and Shasta Dam. It’s worth it. From up here white-topped Mount Shasta gleams in the distance.

Park at the Sundial Bridge/Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Cross over the Sundial Bridge, turn left, and continue on the Sacramento River Trail. After about 2.5 miles the trail comes to Harlan Dr.—turn left and continue a few hundred feet to pick up the trail again. About one mile further, you’ll cross over the Sacramento River at Ribbon Bridge. From here to Shasta Dam you’ll be riding on the west side of the river. It’s 34 miles round-trip. Map.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View