TRAIL MAPS

ALL RIDES BEGIN AND END AT CATCH A CANOE & BICYCLES, TOO! Mendocino offers hundreds of miles of back roads, abandoned logging roads and trails for hiking and mountain biking. The following maps and descriptions are rides (and one hike) that are our staff's favorite. Check with Catch A Canoe & Bicycles, too! at the Stanford Inn by the Sea for trail conditions. (Large print map)

VILLAGE OF MENDOCINO:

Enjoy a leisurely ride along the charming streets of Mendocino. Using the bike and shop technique, stop wherever you like and lock your bikes (our bikes come with complimentary locks, just ask.) Make sure to follow Heeser Drive around the perimeter of the Mendocino Headlands State Park, for incredible views and great whale watching in season. (Large print map)

FERN CANYON - VAN DAMME STATEPARK:

Only 2 miles from Catch-A-Canoe & Bicycles, Too!, Fern Canyon bike trail is paved and easy. Gently ascend through a lush fairy tale canyon with beautiful Little River meandering close by. Best spring through fall when the myriad of small wooden bridges are in place. (Large print map)

RUSSIAN GULCH WATERFALL (BIKE & HIKE):

Two miles north on Highway One is lovely Russian Gulch State Park. Enter the park and making no turns, ride 2 miles through a shady redwood canyon. Stop on occasion and listen to the silence. From the picnic tables continue on foot along a winding creek side trail .7 miles to the falls. (Large print map)

COMPTCHE-UKIAH ROAD TO LITTLE RIVER LOOP:

This exhilarating ride begins with a climb to 800 feet over 5 miles. The remainder of the ride is a gentle descent through Redwoods and stunted pygmy forest until you rejoin Highway One at Little River. (Large print map)

POINT CABRILLO DRIVE TO ROAD 409 TO LITTLE LAKE & HIGHWAY ONE:

Ride along scenic Point Cabrillo Drive (the old Highway One). Hike down to the lighthouse and explore the magnificent headlands. Continue past Caspar beach, store, and up Road 409 through the Pygmy forest, and loop around back to Mendocino via rural Little Lake Road. (Large print map)

ROAD 409 TO NORTH BOUNDARY TRAIL:

This ride follows the northern boundary of Russian Gulch State Park. On your left are huge redwoods and on your right are full grown trees 5 feet tall! To reach the trail head continue up Road 409 until the pavement ends. Turn right at a brown state park gate and follow the trail to Highway One. (Large print map)

COMPTCHE-UKIAH - FERN CANYON LOOP:

This ride has it all, from an aerobic climb with views of Big River watershed and the Coast Range, to a fast and fun descent from the pygmy forest down into lush Fern Canyon and along Little River to the coast. (Large print map)

LITTLE LAKE ROAD TO UPPER BIG RIVER:

If swimming in a clear beautiful river after an exhilarating ride sounds good, this is it. Follow Little Lake Road to Road 700 and follow this fun dirt road downhill to Big River. Good swimming holes both up and downstream. Follow the Haul Road west to HWY 1 (always ride on the right and watch for vehicles). Note: Eastern section very muddy in winter and spring. (Large print map)

SPRING RANCH TO LITTLE RIVER HEADLANDS HIKE:

This incredible property was recently acquired by State Parks. The trail begins directly across from Gordon Lane, through a break in the fence. See an ancient sand dune, Indian shell middens, tide pools and a secluded beach at low tide. It has excellent scenery and is not well known. (Large print map)