Explore the best rated trails in Hayfork, 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 7 trails covering 34 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!
Nice fun little ride good if you wanna practice on your bike before hitting other trails! I found a turtle here once and returned it to the water
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!
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!
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.
The wife and I rode the trail on a perfect September late afternoon back in 2013. On our way to bike rides in Oregon and Washington, we stopped in Redding for the night after driving all day from southern California.
With a few hours to spare before dinner, we decided to get some exercise and to bike the trail. It wasn't on our trip agenda, but what a smart decision it was!
Starting at the Sundial Bridge, we enjoyed a leisurely, serene ride up along one side of the river and then back down along the opposite side. With the exception of a couple of hills going up river that the wife hated, the trail was fairly easy for a couple of middle age fifty somethings to negotiate. I especially enjoyed the river views and going through the forest of trees on the down river side!
We'll always have fond memories of that beautiful late summer unexpected afternoon ride, and we burned enough calories after sitting in the SUV all day to justify a good dinner afterwards!
We hit trail closures from Sundial Park on both sides making it impossible to do a loop or to go very far. On the North side of the river, The Sacramento River Trail Bridge was closed so you can’t cross over to the other side there and have to turn around a backtrack. On the south side, the trail is closed at the Middle Creek Trail intersection. We ended up riding the Middle Creek Trail which travels through burned, scorched woods.
it's a good trail... it has super big steep hills.
My wife and I did this loop on two different occassions while visiting Redding. We had no trouble finding the trail head or sticking on the trail. The scenery as you head toward the damn is absolutely gorgeous--large boulders, spring flowers, and the beautiful blue and green colors of the fountain head of the Sacramento river.
The trail on one side of the river is almost totally flat, while the trail on the other side is a roller coaster of short up and downhill climbs. There are several creeks you cross and plenty of benches to stop and enjoy the scenery. There are even some public restrooms.
I'm sure we will do this trail on every visit to Redding.
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