Explore the best rated trails in Merced, CA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bear Creek Bikeway and Los Banos Rail-Trail. With more than 12 trails covering 55 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Lewis S. Eaton Trail is the backbone of the growing trail network central to the planned 22-mile San Joaquin River Parkway. The main trail currently offers more than 5 paved miles through Woodward...
The Los Banos Rail Trail offers a 1-mile alternative to non-motorized travel through downtown Los Banos, paralleling H Street between Mecry Springs Road and 2nd Street. The trail occupies a disused...
The Bear Creek Bikeway parallels scenic Bear Creek just north of downtown Merced. The path grants access to the zoo at Applegate Park and amenities located within the park. On the trail's western end,...
The Vernon McCullough Fresno River Trail runs along the dry river in Madera, offering a recreation and transportation amenity for the city's residents and visitors. The trail is divided in two by...
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The paved Dry Creek Trail begins near downtown Modesto and meanders east through a series of neighborhood parks along Dry Creek. The pathway features a couple of footbridges and roadway underpasses...
The Hetch Hetchy Trail extends diagonally through the northwestern portion of Modesto on the wide right-of-way of its namesake water pipeline, which runs underground in Modesto. Operated by the San...
Community support has been integral to the creation of the Sugar Pine Trail and Clovis Old Town Trail, two adjoining rail-trails that link the communities of Fresno and Clovis. Joggers, cyclists,...
The Tuolumne River Trail is a winding path that follows the course of its namesake river in Modesto. The scenic trail captures the true beauty of the region's landscape as it loops through dense...
The Black Rascal Creek Bikeway follows the course of the small waterway through residential neighborhoods on the north side of Merced. The trail provides access to the Merced Mall and Black Rascal...
The Virginia Corridor Trailway represents the transformation of a former Tidewater Southern Railway corridor in Modesto into a premier linear park, trail and recreational gathering place. Currently...
The Hetch Hetchy Trail extends diagonally through the northwestern portion of Modesto on the wide right-of-way of its namesake water pipeline, which runs underground in Modesto. Operated by the San...
The Tuolumne River Trail is a winding path that follows the course of its namesake river in Modesto. The scenic trail captures the true beauty of the region's landscape as it loops through dense...
The Lewis S. Eaton Trail is the backbone of the growing trail network central to the planned 22-mile San Joaquin River Parkway. The main trail currently offers more than 5 paved miles through Woodward...
The paved Dry Creek Trail begins near downtown Modesto and meanders east through a series of neighborhood parks along Dry Creek. The pathway features a couple of footbridges and roadway underpasses...
The Black Rascal Creek Bikeway follows the course of the small waterway through residential neighborhoods on the north side of Merced. The trail provides access to the Merced Mall and Black Rascal...
The Virginia Corridor Trailway represents the transformation of a former Tidewater Southern Railway corridor in Modesto into a premier linear park, trail and recreational gathering place. Currently...
The Bear Creek Bikeway parallels scenic Bear Creek just north of downtown Merced. The path grants access to the zoo at Applegate Park and amenities located within the park. On the trail's western end,...
Community support has been integral to the creation of the Sugar Pine Trail and Clovis Old Town Trail, two adjoining rail-trails that link the communities of Fresno and Clovis. Joggers, cyclists,...
The Los Banos Rail Trail offers a 1-mile alternative to non-motorized travel through downtown Los Banos, paralleling H Street between Mecry Springs Road and 2nd Street. The trail occupies a disused...
The Vernon McCullough Fresno River Trail runs along the dry river in Madera, offering a recreation and transportation amenity for the city's residents and visitors. The trail is divided in two by...
The Merced River Trail is an ungroomed, mostly dirt trail that follows the unshaded banks of the Merced River within the Merced River Recreation Area. Ideal for horseback riding, mountain biking and...
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Tucked away in the sparsely populated Tuolumne County, this portion of the Stanislaus National Forest's Westside Rails is a hidden treasure, combining spectacular scenery and a route that represents...
The Black Rascal Creek Bikeway follows the course of the small waterway through residential neighborhoods on the north side of Merced. The trail provides access to the Merced Mall and Black Rascal...
The Bear Creek Bikeway parallels scenic Bear Creek just north of downtown Merced. The path grants access to the zoo at Applegate Park and amenities located within the park. On the trail's western end,...
Community support has been integral to the creation of the Sugar Pine Trail and Clovis Old Town Trail, two adjoining rail-trails that link the communities of Fresno and Clovis. Joggers, cyclists,...
Tucked away in the sparsely populated Tuolumne County, this portion of the Stanislaus National Forest's Westside Rails is a hidden treasure, combining spectacular scenery and a route that represents...
The Virginia Corridor Trailway represents the transformation of a former Tidewater Southern Railway corridor in Modesto into a premier linear park, trail and recreational gathering place. Currently...
The Tuolumne River Trail is a winding path that follows the course of its namesake river in Modesto. The scenic trail captures the true beauty of the region's landscape as it loops through dense...
The Los Banos Rail Trail offers a 1-mile alternative to non-motorized travel through downtown Los Banos, paralleling H Street between Mecry Springs Road and 2nd Street. The trail occupies a disused...
The paved Dry Creek Trail begins near downtown Modesto and meanders east through a series of neighborhood parks along Dry Creek. The pathway features a couple of footbridges and roadway underpasses...
The Hetch Hetchy Trail extends diagonally through the northwestern portion of Modesto on the wide right-of-way of its namesake water pipeline, which runs underground in Modesto. Operated by the San...
The Vernon McCullough Fresno River Trail runs along the dry river in Madera, offering a recreation and transportation amenity for the city's residents and visitors. The trail is divided in two by...
The Lewis S. Eaton Trail is the backbone of the growing trail network central to the planned 22-mile San Joaquin River Parkway. The main trail currently offers more than 5 paved miles through Woodward...
The Merced River Trail is an ungroomed, mostly dirt trail that follows the unshaded banks of the Merced River within the Merced River Recreation Area. Ideal for horseback riding, mountain biking and...
Nice trail thru town...perfect for all ages...
Yes as described previously, after 5 miles the road is reduced to-a single track, or foot trail. The River is irresistible in its beauty, worth the trip. The old Railroad bed has experienced many Rock slides over the lay 70 years with no Matinence preformed. You will walk your bike plenty. It’s a great hiking trail.
Took the bikes out for the first time with the wife on her first ride and we decided to ride just around the house and slowly worked her towards the trail and she loved it and did the entire ride and worked our way back home nearly 10 miles on her first ride!! Beautiful riding with great sites.
Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd). Drove into Woodward Park but decided not to pay the $5 ($3 senior) parking fee. Should have read Parking & Trail Access description closer. Noted some folks park in shopping mall across Friant Rd from the park entrance.
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Started at South end, rode to North end and returned. Lots and lots of walkers and few bikers on the trail, nice three day weekend afternoon to get outside. Wonderful views of the San Joaquin River valley and mountains in distance. Of the trails in the Fresno (Clovis) area we rode this one was the best. No busy intersections to navigate, enough curves and small up and down hills to keep this one interesting. Highly recommend this trail.
Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd)
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Going West to East the first portion of trail is a nice ride with a couple of underpasses and only one intersection to navigate. There is a gated section in this first portion that is closed at night. This section is a wide old railroad bed with housing on each side and now a bunch of trees along the trail. Nice and quiet section. Once passed this gated area the trail parallels a main street with a number of major intersections, which is a significant detractor. In fact, we didn’t finish the trail after growing tired of navigating the intersections. A few walkers and bikers were encountered on trail. It is evident this trail is a rail-to-trail project. The greenway is very wide, flat and mostly straight. Without the many busy intersections to cross this would be a fine rails-to-trails trail.
Had a nice walk with our family and dog on trail. The river and flora were beyond what we expected and a great way to spend 3 hours. I must say that the homeless population in the park was a little concerning but mostly kept to themselves.
Experience walking/biking under the canopy of thousands of oak trees on a flat, winding asphalt trail for all ages. I have always passed friendly folks and random bicycle police. (Thank you)
Asphalt, clean benches, landscaping, and lights make this Modesto’s “go to” trail. Lots of folks walk, run and bike here. Just like anywhere, carry a whistle in case you need help.
This trail was highlighted as a terrific way to view some spring mountain flowers while riding along the Merced River. In April 2019 my wife and I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately we got a late start so ended up riding mid-afternoon, a little too hot for the flowers although we did see a few patches.
We started at the Briceburg trailhead. The view along the river was spectacular even though the gravel road was quite a wash board so had to keep our speed down. There were several camp grounds along the river within the first five miles. Unfortunately there is a locked gate at five miles that has a bypass for walkers, but because of the way it was built, there was no way to get our bikes through so our 13 mile trip was cut short. We talked to a local who happened to be there who said the gate had been there for many years. So short of lifting our bikes over the gate, we decided someone just didn’t want us riding on so we turned around.
The day was not a complete loss, however, because you are about an hour from the Yosemite Valley. We headed on over, had lunch and rode through the valley. The water falls were spectacular from all the snow fall this year.
This is a beautiful trail and perfect for longboarding. There are plenty of small hills to learn on if you want to experience a bit of speed. There is enough to work with, level wise to keep you learning and improving until your ready to take your skating to another level. The sunsets in this park have been extraordinary. Warning though, people don’t always get out of your way if you’re going fast, when they are on the wrong side of the road. Watch out for people and dogs that hate wheels. Otherwise it’s beautiful and perfect!
We started at the Tuolumne city end of the trail and really enjoyed the walk. The bush lupine was in full bloom and smelled wonderful! Nice easy walk down the trail toward the river. A nice easy workout on the way back up the hill. Perfect for beginners. The only downside was that they were doing road repair below the trail and the smell of diesel fumes and truck noise kind of detracted from the experience. But after a mile we couldn't hear the trucks anymore.
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