Northern Vancouver General Mountain Biking Information

Knobs on Seventh Secret in Mt. Fromme

When you first consider riding the trails in North Vancouver, the concept seems nebulous.  Where do you go?  What do you ride?  Do you shuttle or climb up on your bike?  What routes are good?  Hopefully the information here will get you started on discovering some of the best trails anywhere.

Our BC Trails List

Powersmart in Squamish (photo by Uncle Knobular)

I’m a list oriented individual.  I thought that I’d share my mental spreadsheet of my favorite North Shore Trails.  Now, your mileage may vary, but if you like the types of trails that we do, some of the trails on our list are sure to float your boat.

Squamish—General Information

Bed Race contestants

For those considering a mountain biking trip to Squamish, I’m including some basic information in this section to get you started.  Though we’ve spent a lot of time in Squamish, the percentage of trails on the map that we have ridden is low.  There are so many trails there and we HAVE to re-ride our favorites.  That being said, the bike shops have been directing us to some prime offerings and those have been reflected in our choices.  And did I mention that the riding in Squamish could be the best anywhere?

Sedona Mountain Biking Rides

The view looking back towards Broken Arrow Trail

We’ve made twelve trips to Sedona Arizona over the past eleven years, usually over Thanksgiving. It ranks as one of the best places to ride though it still seems to be off the radar for most of the mountain biking community. We rarely see other riders when we have been there.

New Zealand Travel Summary

Stats:

Distance from SFO to Auckland:  10,560 km

Campvan mileage: 2561 km

4 internal flights within NZ including two grass field landings

8 boat passages

7 campervan nights

Mountain Bike Trail Rankings

Any ranking system is arbitrary and that applies to my favorite trails/trail systems.  Below are my rankings.

What do the stars mean?

*** Worthy of travel a great distant to get to ride

** A must ride if you are within 4 hrs away

* A must ride if you are within 1 hr

Mentioned, but not ranked = a worthy trail system to visit

The criteria for the rankings include challenge, scenery, and historical significance.  The rankings are for single trails, for particularly long trails, or trail systems when it is difficult to separate the trails out.  In the end, though, the rankings reflect what I prefer to ride!  And, of course, it only includes places I’ve been.

*** Trails

Sedona, Arizona

Gooseberry Mesa, Virgin Utah

Whistler Valley Trails, BC

Pemberton, BC

Whistler Bike Park, BC

Moab, UT

McKenzie River Trail, OR

Thunder Mt./Red Canyon, UT

Squamish, BC

Mt. Seymour, BC

Mt. Fromme, BC

Ape Canyon/Plains of Abraham, WA

Fruita, CO

** Trails

Park City, UT

Ketchum, ID

The Plunge, Kernville, CA

North Umpqua, OR

UCSC/Wilder/Grey Whale, CA

Brian Head, UT

Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, Rotorua, NZ

Pisgah, NC

* Trails

Downieville, CA

Mt. Tam, Marin County, CA

EcdM/Purisima Creek OSP, Woodside, CA

Henry Coe, Morgan Hill, CA

The Demo, Aptos, CA

Oakridge, OR

Deschutes River Trail, Bend, OR

Phil’s Trails, Bend, OR

Santos, Ocala, FL

Tsali, NC

Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough New Zealand

Mentions:

China Camp, Marin County, CA

Annadale, Santa Rosa, CA

Water Dog, Belmont, CA

Montebello OS, Los Gatos, CA

Bootleg Canyon, Boulder City, NV

Bogg’s Mountain, Cobb, CA

Pioneer Trail, Nevada City, Nevada City, CA

Fort Ord, CA