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 45 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.
Great family trail! Stopped and had lunch at O’Brien store very close to the trail.
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.
I have been riding the trail for almost 4 years. It used to be my go to to get conditioning on my bike. I have put on over 4,000 miles since 2017, 3,000 on this trail. I love it. Most everyone is great, however, there is a major issue with people not picking up after their pets. The city provides doggie bags, it’s beyond me why people aren’t more respectful of this beautiful 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.
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