There’s nothing quite like getting away for the weekend, packing your suitcase—and your bike—and hitting the trails far from the city limits. If you’re heading to Lake Tahoe, Kirkwood isn’t far and it’s got some of the best mountain biking in the state. We recommend these 3 can’t-miss mountain biking trails in Kirkwood, California for you to try.
There are 3 difficulty levels for the hiking trails in and around Kirkwood: Easy, Intermediate, or Difficult. For mountain bikers, though, you’ve got 2 options: Intermediate or Difficult.
The trails rated for beginners are generally reserved for casual walking, hiking, or running:
- The Potholes: 34 minutes, 1.5 miles
- Amy and Granite Lakes Trails: 67 minutes 2.6-miles
- Kirkwood Lake Loop: 20 minutes, 1.1 miles
- Kirkwood Meadows Loop: 52 minutes, 2.6 miles
- Red Lake Beach: 13 minutes, 0.7 miles
- Shot Rock Vista Point: ~5 minutes, 0.2 miles
That said, however, you’ll find the following 3 shred-worthy mountain biking options offer breathtaking trail action—and, just like a river, you never bike the same path twice. You’ll notice something new with every ride.
#1: Snowkirk Trail to Lower Corral Loop to Upper Corral Loop to Scouts Route
Location: Eldorado National Forest
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Distance: 2.8 miles
Duration: 1.33 hours
This is one of Kirkwood’s trails for everyone. Snowkirk Trail doubles as one of the nearby resort’s service roads and is therefore well-maintained and on the easier side compared to other trails on this loop. The Lower and Upper Corral Loops are Intermediate to Advanced in difficulty. Scouts Route finishes the tour with alpine scenery in all directions.
#2: Red Cliffs Loop
Location: Eldorado National Forest
Difficulty: Intermediate to Difficult
Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 1.34 hours
If you enjoy vibrant nature with your jagged outcroppings, you’ll love Red Cliffs Loop. You’ll park in the Red Cliffs Loop parking area on East Meadows Drive, and ride your bike into the meadows till you arrive at Red Cliffs Trail. These opening segments are easy by mountain biking standards, but once you turn onto Red Cliffs, you’re in for some serious shredding on this black diamond ride.
#3: Snowkirk Trail to Caples Crest to Vista Trail to Lower Corral Loop
Location: Eldorado National Forest
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance: 4.2 miles
Duration: 2 hours
This Kirkwood mountain biking trail is a beloved summer loop. This is a loop that should be reserved for the most serious shredding enthusiasts, as several sections, especially along Vista Trail, are ranked black diamond.
Ready to sling some mud? Metaphorically, of course! Plan a great vacation to try out the 3 can’t-miss mountain biking trails in Kirkwood, California. Always be mindful of others and enjoy your time on the trails.
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