Plan out a weekend of mountain biking in Redding California

Mountain biking in Redding California is spectacular. There is a ton of trails to ride in several different areas. We have the Swasey Recreation Area, Whiskeytown Recreation Area, westside trails and Keswick trails.

All these Redding bike trails are easily accessible from downtown or from my place. My typical ride would start with a little warm up, got to ride in town with questionable drivers busy texting. I prefer the mountain biking trails over the road, I feel a hell of a lot safer.

I get a pretty good warm up though, 6.2 miles, before I hit the westside trailhead. I love climbing Placer hill, short and sweet but a great leg burner.

Once I get to the top of Kikee Dr, the mountain biking begins with the westside trails. A little climb at first then kind of levels off for a bit and then you drop off the backside to Valparaiso. Cross the street to the connecting trail and ride up a steady climb for another mile or so and you’ll hit the ridge.

From that point I have one of two choices. If I want a short ride I’ll go left to the top of the world which has 360 degree views and sunsets. Or the right can take me to a variety of mountain biking trails that will test all levels of riders.

I love to go to the right which takes me over to the Swasey Recreation Area. This is some of the best mountain biking in Redding CA and has received a lot of notoriety lately because of the Enticer jump trial addition. If you ever get a chance to ride this area, I highly recommend doing the Wintu loop which will lead you to the TH of the Enticer. Or you can continue going up Meiner’s to Escalator which will take you to the top and from there, you have a few options.

I remember mountain biking years ago before Swasey Recreation Area was a thought. Back then I usually drove out from Redding 20 minutes to Whiskeytown lake to go ride. Riding bikes has always been an adventure for me that is why I still ride today at 49 years old.

Anyways, I was on an adventure one day, discovery mode, riding up Mule Mountain Pass and made it to the top of the Mule Mountain ridge. Remember, this was before Swasey Recreation Area was thought of. There was a trail called the Terminator that I railed down. Awesome mountain biking trail without a doubt. Black diamond trail so be cautious.

Sorry for my digress. Back to the few options. From this location I can continue riding Swasey Recreation Area or drop in to Whiskeytown Rec Area. Either way you go, you’ll have a full day of mountain biking.

If you go Whiskeytown, you’ll drop down Mule Mountain Pass to Muletown Rd. Hopefully you have a smartphone and have the Trailforks app, it’s very useful. Whiskeytown lake has world class mountain biking. It’s a step up from Swasey Recreation Area just because of the climbs and natural features. Whiskeytown was my primary place to ride on Sundays with the Chain Gang crew.

Redding California is a mountain biking Meca, it really is. I just shared a few trails off the top of my head. You can ride all the way to the Shasta Dam from my house.

There is also plans in making of a trail all the way to Whiskeytown lake from Redding which I think is a fantastic idea.

Redding CA is a great place to live and play with plenty of recreation so you shouldn’t get bored. I suggest you look me up and let’s go riding.

My name is Crazy Chris and it is my hope that you enjoyed this article. Thanks for reading. Please comment and share this with a friend.