Explore the best rated trails in Cottonwood, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sacramento River Rail Trail and Hornbeck Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 82 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.
I recently enjoyed a fantastic bike ride on the Sacramento River Trail and the Sacramento River Rail Trail in late May 2025. Riding my TREK Checkpoint gravel bike, and knowing it would be a 100-degree day, I planned to begin early at 5:45 AM from the Sheraton Hotel by the Sundial Bridge in Redding. This hotel is conveniently located right on the Sacramento River Trail, making it an ideal overnight spot before the ride.
The evening before, just to say I completed the entire trail, I rode a few miles from the hotel to the Sacramento River Trailhead at Hilltop Drive. It was a short but surprisingly steep climb to reach the trailhead.
The next morning, starting at 5:45 AM, I rode from the hotel to the end of the Sacramento River Trail at Keswick Dam. From there, I easily connected to the Sacramento River Rail Trail and rode it to its end at the Shasta Dam Trailhead, before returning along the same route back to the hotel. The seamless connection between the two trails made for a smooth transition. My total roundtrip distance was approximately 40+ miles. The Sacramento River Trail is a lovely, mostly flat, and shaded path with interesting bridges, including the iconic Sundial Bridge at the start and end.
Upon reaching Keswick Dam, the Sacramento River Rail Trail begins with a very steep initial 0.6-mile climb. After conquering that first hill, you'll encounter another 2+ miles of up and down switchbacks, some of which are quite challenging. In total, there are 2.7 miles of switchbacks, earning its nickname "Heart Rate Hill." While it's not continuously uphill, the frequent ascents and descents make it a demanding section. I personally found the northbound climb more difficult than the return south, likely due to more sustained uphill sections. My trail app recorded a total elevation change of just over 1,600 feet for the entire ride.
Once past the initial 2.7 miles of switchbacks, the trail becomes a beautiful and mostly flat ride to the Shasta Dam Trailhead. This section is scenic, following the Sacramento River and even passing through a 500-foot historic train tunnel.
While you can continue past the Shasta Dam trailhead to the top of the dam, it involves riding on a somewhat busy public road, which I chose to skip. For those wanting to avoid the 2.7 miles of switchbacks, an alternative starting point is the Keswick Boat Launch, which has parking available. From there, a roundtrip ride to the Shasta Dam Trailhead would be approximately 16 to 17 miles.
As a 71-year-old, I embarked on a personal goal last year to ride all the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame trails in my 70s. Last year, I completed the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, the C\&O Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, the Pinellas Trail, and the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail. I must say that the Sacramento River Rail Trail, with its nearly 5.5 miles of hilly switchbacks roundtrip, was the toughest single-day ride I've experienced! However, it was absolutely worth it—another unforgettable adventure and another pin on my map!
We rode our bikes on this trail from the far west end parking area for 1.5 miles, before giving up and turning around because of the falling hazard. The gravel is so thick in the center of the path, that it causes your tires to get hung up and you are unable to steer. There was a deep hole in the path, probably caused by an animal. You cant see it until you are on top of it. There are pine trees and bushes growing over the trail that scratch you and force you into the thick gravel. The trail needs major maintenance to make it safe for bike riding. almost fell a couple Itwas so slow going
Trail is in awful shape. Road it yesterday 8/1/23. There are lots and lots of trees across the trail, big ones and small ones. Had hoped to ride it to Harris Spring Rd from Harlow Flats. Only made it ten miles. Could be a wonderful trail if maintained. May have to do some of my own maintenance. Live close by.
After riding in the Tour de Palm Springs in Feb. 2023, a friend and I stopped and rode the Sacramento River Trail and the Sacramento River Rail Trail on our way back to Seattle.
It started as a quite chilly morning as we rode the trail from Redding in mostly shade. Once out of the city, we were getting more sunshine and warming up. Along the way we saw vultures and eagles in the trees.
After climbing Heart Attack Hill, the trail winded up and down and it felt like I was mountain biking, but on pavement. I loved it!!
We connected to the rail trail and rode to Shasta Dam before heading back to Redding.
If you find yourself in the Redding area, I highly recommend you ride these trails.
I visited this trail in January of 2022 and did a video of the Sacramento River Trail - https://youtu.be/N-AZjCQKneE and a short of the Sundial Bridge: https://youtube.com/shorts/3Sv4SYw4d10?feature=share
I really enjoyed the trail, fun location!
Too bad there isn’t a lower score. We bike a lot, mountain, gravel and road. This surface is unrideable. There is soft cinder - varies in the middle from 4-8” and is not compacted. The bushes are grown over the sides scratching your arms and legs. We rode 12 miles and rode back along the hwy on mountain bikes.
It is a great concept and wonderful that the trail is started and reserved for the future. It’s is not usable in this condition.
There were lots of butterflies, flowers, beautiful trees, some views of Shasta and I wanted to love this trail.
The cinder needs to be removed and someone with bike experience and someone with trail building experience needs to be on the committee in the future. It’s probably great for snowmobiles and ATV’s.
I combined this trail with the Sacramento River Trail, starting at Turtle Bay. I didn't know what to expect and was thrilled after getting to the top of Heart Rate Hill and seeing more hills, dips and curves! I felt like I was mountain biking only on a paved trail. The scenery was gorgeous and we were the only people on the trail until we go back toward Heart Rate Hill.
I highly recommend this trail if you get to be in the Redding area!
We started off Black Ranch Rd. It's a typical rail trail and the cinder made it more challenging.Motorized vehicles have put some ruts on the trail. From Hwy 89 to the end point of the trail where bridge crossed Lake Briton was pure joy.
I took my 2 year old out here today to go fishing there are several little trails and even little fishing spots. Turtles and ducks and so many cute critters.¿¿
I’m building a new house by the trail and have been riding this trail for years. There are a variety of starting points starting on Hilltop Drive, Turtle Bay Sheraton, Turtle Bay Parking lot, Shasta Senior Center, And Keswick Dam (entrance you the Shasta Rail trail which runs all the way to Shasta Dam. Riding from Hilltop (Fleet Feet Store) alongside highway 44 is hard way to return if you’re tired after your ride.
This is a gorgeous quiet ride- not that many bikers and almost all paved. There is a gap though, right in the middle of the ride, where the fires burnt the bridge and the rails/ road have been destroyed - so unless you are an expert mountain biker and can ride around it (steeply down a canyon and back up to the other side) you will need to turn around. No biggie- as it is still and lovely ride and loops both sides of the river.
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