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Local · Cycling routesLocal / Cycling
Coast cruises and canopy climbs.
Santa Cruz County offers cycling from flat coastal paths to steep road climbs and world-class mountain biking. Whether you want a casual ride along West Cliff, a training climb up UCSC, or technical single track at Demo, this guide covers distance, difficulty, terrain, and what each route demands.
8 routesCoast, climb, and single-track.
Every levelBeginner spins to advanced MTB.
Year-roundThe canopy keeps climbs cool.
Coast ride
Forest roads
Mountain single-trackThe routes
Eight rides, north to south.
Distance and difficulty are approximate. Conditions vary by weather, weekday traffic, and seasonal trail work. Check local resources before a long ride.
West Cliff Drive
~3 milesEasyPaved coastal pathFlat coastal cruise, popular warm-up, ocean views, surf breaks
Highway 1 to Davenport
24 miles round tripModerateCoastal roadRolling hills, coastal views, Davenport cliffs, wind exposure
Empire Grade Road
15+ milesChallengingHill climb through redwoodsSustained climb, redwood canopy, connects to Boulder Creek and beyond
Wilder Ranch Mountain Bike Trails
Varies, multiple loopsBeginner to advancedPurpose-built single trackCoastal bluffs, grassland, forest. Trail network for every level.
UCSC Campus Climb (Hagar Drive)
~2 miles uphillChallengingSteep road climbTraining favorite, sustained gradient, redwood forest, campus views
Soquel Demonstration State Forest (Demo)
Varies, 5 to 15+ milesAdvancedLegendary mountain bikingTechnical single track, climbs, descents. Requires skill and fitness.
San Lorenzo Valley Loop
30+ milesModerateRoad ride through Felton, Ben LomondThrough redwoods, riverside roads, rolling to steep sections
Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail (toward Watsonville)
10+ milesEasyFlat paved pathCoastal recreation trail, no traffic, ideal for beginners and long easy spins
Cycling-specific training
Legs for the climb, back for the ride.
Climbing, sprinting, and long rides demand leg power, core stability, and flexibility. The studio builds the strength to push big gears, the core control to hold aero positions, and the mobility to stay comfortable in the saddle for hours.
- 01Leg power.Squats, deadlifts, and plyometrics for climbing.
- 02Core stability.Planks, anti-rotation, and posture for sustained rides.
- 03Flexibility.Hip and spine mobility for comfort on the bike.
Ride stronger
Coach for the ride you want.
Book a session with a Mavericks Fitness coach who understands cycling fitness and prepares you for Santa Cruz roads and trails.