Turnbull Riding

Cycle Turnbull Canyon

Cyclists who like to climb, rejoice! Sandwiched between Whittier and Hacienda Heights is a range of high hills and deep canyons for pushing your limits, along with a café for refueling. Highlighting this 18-mile loop is Turnbull Canyon, a twisting stretch of road perfectly suited to climbing. Launch from Manzanita Park in Hacienda Heights for a warm-up cruise through quiet neighborhoods. From the 60 Freeway, exit at Hacienda Boulevard and go south to Newton Street. Turn right, and then right again onto Kwis Avenue to the park. Ride from the park to a wide boulevard leading to Whittier. Zigzag down to the Whittier Greenway Trail, a former railroad line turned recreation path traveling through town toward the San Gabriel River. The route rolls toward the historic Uptown Whittier area and temptingly close to Mimo's Café (a mid-ride rootbeer float might give you the extra boost you need for what's ahead). Turnbull Canyon is a 2.5-mile climb at a 5% average grade, with switchbacks. You'll gain 200 feet and enjoy eagle-eye views of the valley below. Note: The road is a bit narrow, but traffic is generally light; even so, use caution (after a rain, a muddy and slippery glaze coats the road on the west side). Once over the top, the descent is loaded with fun, swooping turns on the canyon's eastern flanks for a long coast back to the starting point.

From Manzanita Park in Hacienda Heights, ride north on Kwis Ave. to Los Robles Ave. Turn left and then left again onto Turnbull Canyon Rd. (This is the lower road with the same name as the canyon road proper.) In one block, veer right onto the main canyon road. Wind your way through the canyon and then make a quick left on Los Altos Dr. At S. Vallecito Dr. turn right and ride to Camino Del Sur. Go left for one mile to Colima Rd. and turn right. This is a busier road but has a wide shoulder. Follow Colima for 1.7 miles to a right turn at Mar Vista St. In 0.5 mile turn left on Catalina Ave. Follow Catalina 3 blocks to Whittier Blvd., turn left and then make a quick right onto Gunn Ave. In 0.5 mile is the junction with the Whittier Greenway Trail. Turn right and follow the trail 2.6 miles to Philadelphia St. and turn right for 0.5 mile to Greenleaf Ave. Turn left to Mimo's Café, keep rolling to Broadway and go right to Painter Ave. Turn left and go one block to Beverly Blvd. and right to start the climb up Turnbull Canyon. At the junction with the lower Turnbull Canyon Rd., turn left and follow your route back to the trailhead.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View