California Redwoods Bike Tour

Standing taller than a football field is long, the ancient redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) of northern California can live 2,000+ years. Ride and hike through three different reserves guarded by these amazing sentinels, including the world’s largest remaining old-growth forest. Explore coastal gold-rush provision towns and Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Thrill to the only section of California’s coastline without a major highway – a magical stretch called the Lost Coast.
National Parks on This Tour: Redwoods National and State Parks
This tour is operated under special use permit/s with Redwoods National and State Parks. Bicycle Adventures is an equal opportunity provider.
Itinerary
Day 01
Pedal the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway through massive redwoods.
Meals
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Trinidad Inn
Ability
Intermediate
Distance
41 miles
Elevation
+2567 ft / -2715 ft
Meet us in Eureka (we found it!). After a short one-hour shuttle north, we begin cycling on the the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway through the mammoth redwoods of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Stop for a quick hike to crane your neck at Big Tree, standing over 300 feet tall. It measures 21 feet in diameter and just keeps on growing past its estimated 1,500 years. Sneak a peek at the Pacific Ocean from Patrick’s Point, surrounded by lush ferns and mosses. Relax at the Trinidad Inn tonight.
Day 02
Continue south along the coast to Eureka.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Carter House
Ability
Intermediate
Distance
37 miles
Elevation
+820 ft / -1045 ft
Ride the scenic drive from Patrick’s Point through Trinidad again in the morning, then head inland for pastoral farm roads. After a spin through Arcata, a one-time gold-rush provisioning stop on the shores of Humboldt Bay and now home to Humboldt State University, ride out to the North Jetty and relax in the sea breeze. Explore Eureka this afternoon. The entire town is a state historic landmark, with hundreds of Victorian homes. Enjoy the Old Town neighborhood with its charming cafes, bookstores and window shopping. Stay at the Carter House tonight.
Day 03
Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and ride the South Jetty to Ferndale.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Lodging
Victorian Inn
Ability
All Levels
Distance
33 miles
Elevation
+932 ft / -887 ft
Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, then ride the South Jetty on to Ferndale. Kayak Humboldt Bay , one of California’s most pristine wetlands. After a quick lesson, paddle through archaeological sites, an egret rookery and windswept cypress trees. After lunch, continue on to historic Ferndale, which posed as the ideal 1950s town for Jim Carrey’s movie The Majestic. You’ll love the Victorian Village Inn, which National Geographic Traveler calls ‘…one of the world’s top ten great places.’ Dinner is on your own tonight in Ferndale.
Day 04
Ride through Panther Gap to the meet "Lost Coast."
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Victorian Inn
Ability
Intermediate
Distance
48 miles
“The Wall” (option): 18 miles
Elevation
+4724 ft / -4828 ft
“The Wall” (option): +3151 ft / -3134 ft
Ride through Panther Gap to the “Lost Coast” for a spectacular panorama of wild and rugged coastline. The Lost Coast is the only section of California’s coast that doesn’t have a major highway. Serene redwood forests lead to beautiful remote valleys. Be surprised by sudden ocean vistas of shimmering blue waters and milk-white beaches. Up for a challenge? Tackle “The Wall” – a hill whose first quarter-mile appears to go straight up, then dishes out an average grade of 18% for over a mile. Reward yourself with the sweeping coastline panoramas as you follow the road back to Ferndale. This optional ride is only 18 miles with fantastic vistas and no traffic. But it does include another 8-mile climb up yet another challenging sweep called the “Endless Hill.” Riders who do it will understand why the locals’ “Tour of the Unknown Coast” is billed as California’s toughest century ride. Stay a second night at the Victorian Inn.
Day 05
Ride the Avenue of the Giants through Humbolt Redwoods State Park.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
– Dinner
Lodging
Benbow Inn
Ability
Intermediate
Distance
43 miles
Elevation
+2397 ft / -2139 ft
Ride through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Pedal along the banks of the Eel River amongst ancient redwood forests on the “Avenue of the Giants.” These magnificent Coast Redwoods can live more than 2,000 years and are the tallest living things on earth, reaching heights of more than 350 feet – taller than a football field is long! Ride your bike through a giant space between the roots of a living redwood. Options today range up to 50+ miles, if you’d like to do them all. Relax on the banks of the Eel River at the historic Benbow Inn tonight.
Day 06
Bull Creek redwoods.
Meals
– Breakfast
– Lunch
Ability
All Levels
Slow down and wind down with a hike along Bull Creek in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Savor the quiet serenity of the forest primeval – the largest old-growth redwood forest remaining in the world! Wander through cathedral-like groves and enjoy their magic spell one more time before shuttling back to Eureka for your trip home.
*Bicycle Adventures operates under special use permits while on Federal Lands managed by the National Forest Service (USDA), National Parks and Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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