Explore the best rated trails in Madera, 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 13 trails covering 43 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.
Beautiful but the trail gets a little confusing around construction sites. Luckily, there were lots of people biking and running to give direction help.
north end is attached to the Shepard ave trail. The whole length of the trail is nicely landscaped and has several access points through out the trail to the housing tracks it currently ends on Nees ave but appears to eventually be built out to connect with the Enterprise trail
This is my second favorite trail of the ones I ride in the Clovis area. One entrance/exit is on Alluvial, west of Temperance - if you wish to continue east, you can cross Temperance Ave and the Enterprise Trail runs along a mainly large field and small farm on one side and close to housing and then another canal, before the trail curves around and heads to the area where McDonald's and Riley's is and then it connects on Temperance. The other entrance/exit is on Fowler, just south of Shepherd Ave.
The path is paved on one side of the canal. If you ride up or walk up to the canal embankment the path is dirt. On the other side of the canal, the path is gravel.
Dependent on the weather, the gates abutting the flood control basin will be closed and locked if rain is predicted, and sometimes it is closed and locked for reasons unknown to me. If you are taking the paved path, you must move up to the dirt embankment to continue along the trail, until you have passed the flood control basin, you can then either stay on the dirt embankment or move back down to the paved path.
Sadly, the Enterprise Trail, which used to end at Sunnyside Ave, just south of Shepherd Ave has been closed off by the residents who live along the canal between Fowler Ave and Sunnyside Ave. You used to be able to move from the Enterprise Trail to the Dry Creek Trail, and vice versa, safely before the gates were put up. Now to get from one trail to the other, you must take one of two very less safe routes.
The Enterprise Trail is totally free from having to stop at any street light or stop sign, (unless you choose to take the extended path that is on Temperance Ave, just south of Alluvial Ave). Because of the lack of having to cross streets, and the way the trail is designed, it gives the trail a feeling of privacy and sanctuary .
When the canal is full, it is gorgeous and many geese, ducks, and coots love to float on the canal and explore the embankments. Many ground squirrels take up residence along the canal, and you will also see grey or red tree squirrels scamper around the trees. If you are on a mobile device (e.g. bike, scooter, skateboard, etc.) - watch out for lizards doing pushups and sunning themselves along the path.
During Spring and fall, the terrain of the flood control basin can be almost calendar-worthy lovely; with cranes, pelicans, coots, ducks and geese, to mention a few. There is also a large, panoramic view of the hills and mountains to the east that is often breathtaking.
In the summertime, dependent on the time of day, the trees lining the paved path on both sides provide much enjoyed shade. Again, dependent on the time of year, acorns often clutter the trail in abundance. If it rains, you may ride or walk through shallow puddles here and there, but nothing unpleasant or adverse.
It is a tranquil trail, quiet and pastoral. There are still some open fields, orchards, and such that you can enjoy along the way.
Parking is not exclusively provided for people to park when wishing to use the trail. You can, however, park in the nearby shopping centers' parking lots or find a spot in the neighborhoods near the trail.
Along the trail, there are gateways to the adjoining neighborhoods where you can enter and exit the trail. If you take one, about midway, you can join up with a very nice trail created in the middle of the housing area and it will take you to Temperance Ave.
The Enterprise Canal Trail is not as frequented by users as the Dry Creek Trail, which is a plus.
I must admit, I put off cycling on this trail due to the tunnels along the way. I have a single speed 3-wheeler and any type of incline is a struggle, much more so than a single speed 2-wheeler. But, I have a friend who rides it regularly and enjoys it, that, and some of the pictures of the trail on the website are splendid and inviting. So, I included it with another trail I love and ride regularly. It was the first time I totaled over 20 miles in one day’s ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it, for the most part. I embraced courage and tackled every tunnel on the trail - there and back. I did notice that most, if not all the tunnels have a workaround trail that take you up to the street where from there you can cross the street and reconnect with the trail after the tunnel.
The first time I cycled the trail, I went from Alluvial and Peach to the end of the trail at roughly Dakota and Clovis Ave. I drove around the neighborhood I had once lived in and returned to the trail. What I found disrupting was having to stop at all the many streets within the Old Town area of Clovis and the rest of the trail in the main city of Clovis. I can see why other riders have made adverse comments regarding this issue. So, when taking the trail now, I will begin at one of three entrances and end each time when I come to Sierra Ave, at which point I turn around and go back. So, starting at Shepherd near Willow Ave. At Nees near N. Timmy Ave. Or, at Alluvial and Peach Ave. Stopping at Sierra Ave and turning around.
What I really like about the trail is that it is wide and flat. There are no tree roots popping up which make for a very rough ride. The trail is clean and on each side are trees and underbrush for much of the distance. When moving northward, the trail turns into more of a very wide sidewalk that runs through some housing areas, industrial areas and open country fields. Once you get to Shepherd Ave you are gifted a beautiful view of the nearby hills and the more distance mountains, along with some farmland, orchards, and vineyards - not yet victim to the swiftly spreading disease of the rapid building of houses, apartments and condominiums.
Along the path, you do have to stop at major streets. Some have street lights or stop signs. Others have added a button you can push that illuminates the path so that motorists know you are waiting to cross and they will stop and wait for you. The tunnels can be rather exciting! Going down one is a rush - an E ticket ride. Going back up though can be a workout if you aren’t riding a bike with gears. What I find helpful is to begin fast pedaling as soon as you are able before beginning your ascent. With the momentum the downward trail gives you, it is easier than you would think, however, those last few feet can be a real workout. The one thing I wish Clovis had done would have been to install lights inside the tunnels that would stay on 24/7. It is very dark, especially down the longer tunnels and you cannot always discern what or who is in the tunnel, which could make for a serious accident were you to run into a person or animal, or over broken glass, large rocks, or prickly tree limbs.
A nice feature, along the path that lies in the major area of Old Town Clovis and central Clovis, are emergency phones built into lamp-like poles - there is at least one that is not in working order, but many that are.
Each time I have been on the trail, it was not heavily trafficked and when you do come up on others, the path is wide enough to safely pass one another. I have seen folks walking their dogs, running, cycling skate boarding, walking, and using scooters. Not much wildlife on the trail, with the exception of birds, ground squirrels and red and gray tree squirrels.
If you continue north on the trail, you eventually will hook up with the Fresno Rail Trail and it can take you all the way to Woodward Park and end on Friant Rd.
I must admit, I put off cycling on this trail due to the tunnels along the way. I have a single speed 3-wheeler and any type of incline is a struggle, much more so than a single speed 2-wheeler. But, I have a friend who rides it regularly and enjoys it, that, and some of the pictures of the trail on the website are splendid and inviting. So, I included it with another trail I love and ride regularly. It was the first time I totaled over 20 miles in one day’s ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it, for the most part. I embraced courage and tackled every tunnel on the trail - there and back. I did notice that most, if not all the tunnels have a workaround trail that take you up to the street where from there you can cross the street and reconnect with the trail after the tunnel.
The first time I cycled the trail, I went from Alluvial and Peach to the end of the trail at roughly Dakota and Clovis Ave. I drove around the neighborhood I had once lived in and returned to the trail. What I found disrupting was having to stop at all the many streets within the Old Town area of Clovis and the rest of the trail in the main city of Clovis. I can see why other riders have made adverse comments regarding this issue. So, when taking the trail now, I will begin at one of three entrances and end each time when I come to Sierra Ave, at which point I turn around and go back. So, starting at Shepherd near Willow Ave. At Nees near N. Timmy Ave. Or, at Alluvial and Peach Ave. Stopping at Sierra Ave and turning around.
What I really like about the trail is that it is wide and flat. There are no tree roots popping up which make for a very rough ride. The trail is clean and on each side are trees and underbrush for much of the distance. When moving northward, the trail turns into more of a very wide sidewalk that runs through some housing areas, industrial areas and open country fields. Once you get to Shepherd Ave you are gifted a beautiful view of the nearby hills and the more distance mountains, along with some farmland, orchards, and vineyards - not yet victim to the swiftly spreading disease of the rapid building of houses, apartments and condominiums.
Along the path, you do have to stop at major streets. Some have street lights or stop signs. Others have added a button you can push that illuminates the path so that motorists know you are waiting to cross and they will stop and wait for you. The tunnels can be rather exciting! Going down one is a rush - an E ticket ride. Going back up though can be a workout if you aren’t riding a bike with gears. What I find helpful is to begin fast pedaling as soon as you are able before beginning your ascent. With the momentum the downward trail gives you, it is easier than you would think, however, those last few feet can be a real workout. The one thing I wish Clovis had done would have been to install lights inside the tunnels that would stay on 24/7. It is very dark, especially down the longer tunnels and you cannot always discern what or who is in the tunnel, which could make for a serious accident were you to run into a person or animal, or over broken glass, large rocks, or prickly tree limbs.
A nice feature, along the path that lies in the major area of Old Town Clovis and central Clovis, are emergency phones built into lamp-like poles - there is at least one that is not in working order, but many that are.
Each time I have been on the trail, it was not heavily trafficked and when you do come up on others, the path is wide enough to safely pass one another. I have seen folks walking their dogs, running, cycling skate boarding, walking, and using scooters. Not much wildlife on the trail, with the exception of birds, ground squirrels and red and gray tree squirrels.
If you continue north on the trail, you eventually will hook up with the Fresno Rail Trail and it can take you all the way to Woodward Park and end on Friant Rd.
Dry underbrush 'neath lush green trees.
Gray-white cotton puff clouds and the pale watercolor of streaky clouds in a light blue sky.
Shadow leaves sway under the trees, as the sun lays hot beams on the flat blacktop of the path.
Geese and ducks drift on the water's surface, as the dark form of a fish weaves through the cold current of the stream.
A shadow bird glides across the paved path, as a cool breeze, like silk upon my skin, pushes past me as I pedal along the Dry Creek Trail.
Yes! My healing oasis in Clovis, Ca.
-- Kathy Pippig
The Dry Creek Trail is my favorite of the three trails I ride the most. The trail is paved and on the east side of the trail is the creek. Depending on the weather and time of year, there may or may not be water in the creek.
You will likely see geese, ducks and other birds. Folks walking their dogs. Families and individuals of all ages biking and walking. Kids and adults skate boarding. Children on scooters.
At the south entrance there is a lovely park area that is popular; with exercise equipment, picnic tables, water fountains for humans and their dogs, meeting areas, and plenty of parking. Just past the park is the Clovis Botanical Garden and in the Spring, it is filled with blossoming flowers and is beautiful to see.
There are park benches throughout the trail for folks to sit and enjoy people watching or just enjoy nature.
Midway through the trail, traveling north, just before the Nees Ave light, there is an obelisk that displays stats: like the number of bicycles passing through for the day and for the year, as well as other stats.
The north/west side of the trail runs through a housing area that is quite nice and separate from the trail. At the north end of the trail is a large area for picnicking, resting, and there are clean nice toilets. A marvelous, giant metal sculpture of a horse stands in the center. And to the east side of this area is a nice-sized parking lot. There is also a spot where you can air up the tires on your bike with the equipment provided.
All in all, this trail is, for me, like biking along a path in the nearby hills, with a river running alongside - that was my first impression and it still holds true every time I ride the trail.
Kathy Pippig
Love the surroundings every time I go because it’s very clean and great breakfast spots in old town. I will say though when going in tunnels it’s hard to pick up speed because sometimes it’s crowded with people and some don’t respect the path ways.
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.
The trail is in a great location, traveling behind the town, along beautiful farms. There are plenty of old growth trees providing shade on a hot Central Valley day. The only draw back are the numerous street crossings. The ramps down and up the street are covered with the large yellow bumps you see on most walkways. As a skateboarder this makes crossing the streets difficult. Without the bumps this would be a 4 star trail easy.
I read previous reviews on this trail so was concerned but I tried it. The only part of the trail with the raised cracks not suitable for biking is near the trail head. To avoid this, ride on the street in that section then jump on the trail. This trail connects to the Clovis trail making for a nice long ride. Shady, runs along the water and shaded. Beautiful area. Loved it.
The tree roots have destroyed the asphalt, and it is not suitable for bicycles. Walking would be ok. I wasted a long drive to ride about 100 yard. Terrible trail, never go back!! ¿¿¿¿¿
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