A mountain bike parked on a gravel trail surrounded by tall trees in a dense forest. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere in the wilderness. El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space mountain bike trail.
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Level: Intermediate
Length: 40 mi (64.4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +4,204/ -3,660 ft
Total: 230 riders
 

Mountain Biking El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space

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#19 of 1,004 mountain bike trails in California
#381 in the world

There are maps at the trailhead and there are several trails you can combine to make short or long loops. You start at about 2000 ft and drop into the forest on singletrack/doubletrack trails. The downhill can be long and fun, but remember you have to climb up eventually so save some energy. You may encounter a few rocky technical sections on the descent. There is a lot of tight, fast singletrack that curves in and out of the humongous redwoods. Some of the best singletrack I have ever ridden. The first time I went we took the Timberview Trail to the Virginia Mill Trail. Had to dismount and cross a creek at the Virgina Mill Trail because some trees were knocked down covering the trail. We climbed up on the South/North Leaf trails and finally took the El Corte de Madera Creek Trail back to Skeggs point. The trails are all well marked, I'll definitely be back to ride some of the other trails in the network. If you are looking for awesome downhill, sweet singletrack, or a test of your climbing abilities, this place has it all. A great place to get lost in the redwoods.

First added by alvin.santoy on Jan 1, 2003. Last updated May 11, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
Take 280N (from San Jose) to Woodside Rd/Hwy 84 Exit. Turn left (west) onto Woodside Rd. Turn right onto Kings Mountain, at the Y-intersection, keep right on Kings Mountain. Pass Huddart State Park then turn left onto Skyline Blvd. The trailhead is on the right hand side, shortly before the Skeggs Point overlook, park at the overlook.
System trails (1)
 difficultyOljon South1.7 mi


El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space Trail map

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Trail conditions

Fair (Sep 28, 2019)
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El Corte De Madera Creek Open Space videos

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Mountain Bike at Skeggs (Manzanita Trail)
 
MTB NorCal | El Corte de…
 
Skeggs Mountain Biking
 
 
 
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Reviews

  • lhogue
    ***

    First off, big kudos to the trail stewards here. Trails are kept up and maintained with some obvious pride and care. Being that this is an open space preserve and hosts multi-use trails, this is what you should expect. Lots of human "Frogger". (sorry for the 80s video game reference, but it fits)

    Many 4-8' wide trails with a few single tracks sprinkled throughout. No real DH or technical sections to speak of here. A lot of climbing with no real "big grin" areas as a payoff. For a place to stretch your legs for 15-20 miles with many different loop options, it's not a bad option. Giant Salamander from Timberview, Resolution from Fir, and Methuselah are all fun little sections.

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  • Adge
    *****

    Great single track and downhills but if you go to the bottom there is a lot of climbing to get back up. You can link the trails in a lot of diff ways. Make sure to get a map.

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  • MtBen
    *****

    Very fun, lots of climbing. Go with someone who knows the way.

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  • mc625569
    **

    I'm in the minority here, but found the climb out of the park just too steep, over 20% grade in a few areas, had to walk out . Also the forest is very thick , limiting visiibility in some ways and almost causing a claustrophobic feel. Not really my type of place.

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  • Greg Heil   ✓ supporter
    *****

    What a great trail system! Theres some Doubletrack and fire roads mixed in but when you get on te singletrack it is so sweet! Excellent bench cut trails, and amazing scenery deep in the redwoods. Some of the trails are much more used than others, and at times it can really feel like youre in the middle of nowhere. Also, there is way more than 20 miles of riding here. Try closer to 40.

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  • tastychicken007
    ****

    very fun trail, lots of great single track and a beautiful setting too. this is by far my favorite local trail to ride.

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  • tumbleweed14
    ****

    This review is of the Fir -> Resolution -> El Corte Madera Crk -> N. Leaf -> Methusela -> Sierra Morena loop. Wow, was that fun! Fir is an easy fire road and you dump almost immediately down some sweet singletrack on Resolution. Very fast, very fun. Lots of trees and rocks to dodge. N. leaf is on an often off-camber hill which demands some elegance with your bike handling. Methusela is a sweet bomb of a bit over half a mile. Quite a bit wider than previous trails and there are several jumps to get airborne. Watch for corners. Then up up up about over 3.5 miles mostly in the shade. connect with morena and you're done. Fantastic shorter ride, but the constant elevation change zapped me. there are lots of other trails to extend the ride but haven't been on them yet. Overall, very good with a fantastic fun factor if you like jedi singletrack. Only gripe is the end game climb cuz I would rather do the work at the beginning. Also to note was that I saw several hikers, and this was on a Thursday late morning, afternoon.

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  • gshoops
    *****

    Very good location. A bit challenging to drive up for you car but worth it. Multiple loops and options, many trails to choose from to make a short ride or a long ride. a must do is head up to the vista point, great view over the clouds. great rock gardens for some technical riding and sweet singletrack. awsome creek crossing personally my favorite place to ride.

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  • paulsbridges
    *****

    Awesome trails cross and follow the steep conours of this open space preserve. Every combination, from smooth, sweeping, fast and wide trails to arduous single track with roots, rocks and lots and lots of hairpins. One of my favorites is Resolution trail, probably the the best single track I've riden. It is so good that last time I visited I went down one way, turned around and went right back up. On a hard-tail some of these trails are tougher but then I enjoy a challenge. Other recommendations are Methusala, a long and varied ride, and Fir, for it's fast, steep descents. If you park at Skeggs Point, the only minor gripe I can think of is that you start at the top, descend and then have to cycle back up - personally I prefer to 'earn' the downhill. I guess if you park at Star Hill Road then you can climb first but then I haven't tried it. All in all this is highly recommended.

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  • Ian
    *****

    This trail can be anywhere from a half hour ride to a 3 to 5 hour ride depending on how much time you have. There are a few gnarly downhills with some technical rock gardens and a few fast, not technical downhills. Some very technical uphills as well. I reccomend the Tafoni Trail, Resolution Trail, El Corte Madera, and the Fir Trail

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  • gab26
    ****

    Lots of options depending on time and effort you want to expend. Resolution to North Leaf then out Methusala is good add some South Leaf to Virgina Mill for something a little more tech.

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  • McStrings
    ***

    It would be a great after work ride except you have to drive up into the hills. It's a decent ride with a few serviceable loops. I don't know if the "Nosebleed Trail" is still open -- I call it "The Collarboner" -- but if it is you will learn the true valley of full suspension. And bactine.

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  • maleonardphi
    *****

    I think this is the best place to ride in the SF bay area. It has so much variety. I can take my wife for a mild 3 mile ride, or hammer out a two hour session with my friends.

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