Chico, CA Hiking Trails and Maps

28 Reviews

Looking for the best Hiking trails around Chico?

Find the top rated hiking trails in Chico, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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8 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

11 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Chico Airport Bike Path

3.25 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Paradise Memorial Trailway

5.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Sutter Commuter Bikeway

4.65 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Midway Bike Path

3.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Chico State Bike Path

2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Little Chico Creek Bike Path

2.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Steve G. Harrison Memorial Bikeway

0.9 mi
State: CA
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The Lake Almanor Recreation Trail is much hillier than the simple, flat shoreline hike its name might suggest. The lake is a hydroelectric project that dates back more than 100 years to 1914 and is...
CA 11 mi Asphalt
This linear trail through the northern sections of bike-friendly Chico runs on the abandoned Sacramento Northern Railway right-of-way. The trail marks the northernmost stretch of the former railroad,...
CA 3.25 mi Asphalt
Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Paradise, California, is a warm and inviting city with a small-town feel, and this trail offers visitors the perfect way to see it. You can start at either end;...
CA 5.2 mi Asphalt
The Sutter Bike Path follows a short portion of the old Sacramento Northern Railroad and runs a straight line between Hooper Road and Acacia Avenue. The trail links to bike lanes at Hooper Road, which...
CA 4.65 mi Asphalt
Travel through the orchards south of Chico on the Midway Bike Path, which runs toward Durham on the abandoned Sacramento Northern Railway right-of-way. The trail is one of the most popular and scenic...
CA 3.4 mi Asphalt
The Chico State Bike Path, also known as the Railroad Bike Path, runs between CSU campus at Cherry Street and W. Lindo Avenue, paralleling an active rail line for most of the way. The trail is popular...
CA 2 mi Asphalt
This paved biking and walking path provides an opportunity to experience the scenic Little Chico Creek ecosystem in the heart of Chico, California. The trail begins on the corner of Humboldt Avenue...
CA 2.6 mi Asphalt
This north-south bikeway in southeast Chico is dedicated to the memory of local resident and avid cyclist and cycling advocate, Steve Harrison. The trail entrances at both ends are marked by...
CA 0.9 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Sutter Commuter Bikeway

Great path for a little getaway

February, 2024 by tp6frrprch

Sure happy to have this path available for our communities. A great way to get out and get some fresh air and the views.

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

Great Trail

August, 2023 by john337

Biked the entire length on Aug. 6, 2023. A very pretty ride. Started at the north end where the parking is limited. The trail is all asphalt and in very good condition, but there are some potholes. It seemed like it had just been swept as there was almost no pine needles or twigs on the trail. The first 1.5 miles on the north end are in the burn scar and include a mild hill. A casual rider should consider starting at the boat launch where the bathrooms are. Most of the ride has mild hills that casual riders and kids might find challenging (the south end is the flattest). On the way back, we bypassed the biggest hill on the route and rode into Prattville for lunch along Almanor Drive. Consider this alternative route not only for a bite to eat but also for its nice views of the Lake. The south end is also in the burn scar, but only for quarter mile. A very nice ride.

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

Hidden Gem in need of some TLC

June, 2023 by slstockwell49

Parked at the north trailhead and rode south to end of trail. Fire devastation from Dixie fire at north and south end of trail, but in between beautiful forest and lake shore trail with beaches, picnic and camping areas. We came around a curve and startled a bald eagle that was feeding on a fish. What an experience to see our national bird up so close as it spread it's wings and flew off over the lake.
My only complaint is the lack of maintenance on this trail. I would think the US Forest Service and other involved agencies would have done a better job of repairing/restoring this beautiful trail after the Dixie fire. But this should not discourage anyone from visiting the area and riding this trail.

Accordion

Paradise Memorial Trailway

Just a heads up that this town basically burnt to the ground a few years back. They are rebuilding, but all these amenities listed may no longer exist.

January, 2022 by abbyrizzo80

Just a heads up that this town basically burnt to the ground a few years back. They are rebuilding, but all these amenities listed may no longer exist.

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

Great trail with the right bike!

May, 2021 by raddglssgow

Great, meandering, mostly-shaded, shoreline trail with multiple mild climbs and coasts. All paved, although a bit rough in spots. Really 12.x miles because it extends to canyon dam launch ramp. Can be made into a loop of sorts using west shore drive. Plenty of needles and sticks before Memorial Day cleanup. A bit rough for skinny-tire road bikes and a bit tame for full-suspension mountain bikes, but perfect for touring bikes or my 3 speed cruiser! Start and end at Plumas Pines tavern and finish with a smile, a beer, and a great view of Lake Almanor. It really doesn't get any better for the young or old, beginner or intermdiate, casual or serious cyclist. Serious mountain bikers can extend their loops into the dirt on either side of 89 where hidden single tracks will stimulate endorphin production and deplete calories. Enjoy!

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

Quiet and Peaceful

September, 2020 by birdogn

Rode this track at the end of May, starting at the Canyon Dam Boat ramp parking lot. Although it had been cleared of all fallen trees and branches, the trail still had thick patches of pine needles throughout. With constant change between sunshine and shade, lots of abrupt turns, bumps from roots under the pavement, pine needle patches, this ride needs one's full attention in places, particularly with heavier traffic under normal campground occupancy. Some great views, lots of benches and tables for stops, but no water, and no restrooms open at the campgrounds alonf the way. Decided to go back on Almanor Dr. to see that part of the lake front as the trail goes inland away from the water heading north west. Had a great lunch at Plumas Pines resort, and explored historic Prattville. The old cemetery was relocated there when the canyon dam was built.

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

anybody out there?

May, 2020 by scytheborg

i know covid-19 is still out there and the forest service probably doesn't have any thing to do with this trail, but. does anyone love a trail that's paved and is covered with a few fallen trees, branches to many to remember and the soft quiet riding pine needles that can make the trail a bit "slick" in the corners? we should have packed a chain saw and broom! oh well we rode the whole thing anyway!

Sutter Commuter Bikeway

Short ride, nice experience....

December, 2018 by h3liflyer

I am new to the Yuba City area and found this trail. It was not far and even though it was a Sunday it was pretty quiet. It is a good short trail with a great view.

Midway Bike Path

midway ease

January, 2018 by scytheborg

nice trail to use for the family outing or a quick ride if in town. it should be longer though! nice riding by the groves of almond trees!

Lake Almanor Recreation Trail

Easy trek and beauty to boot.

August, 2017 by campraider

We have a house nearby so we use this trail in all seasons. Cool in the summer as most of it is in the trees and shade.
In the dead of winter it's great for X-country or snowshoeing.
If you have issues with the rolling terrain (very mild grades) you probably need to refined yourselves to walking or bicycling around town.
This is an easy all-weather trail and it hugs the west shoreline the majority of the time.
Excellent spot!

Paradise Memorial Trailway

Terrible - No stars, not one.

July, 2017 by concowshanni

Almost no shade on entire trail with miles of absolutely no shade, almost all direct sun at temps of 90-105 all summer long, no water fountains or bathrooms on entire 5 mile trail except for one park on Black Olive Rd at Pearson Rd, and the rest is miles of hot sun and nowhere to pee or get a drink if you run out of water. Not good for moms with kids. Someone will have to pee and you'll be miles from the nearest bathroom, and nowhere to covertly pee in the bushes either, as if anyone would even want to. Landscape is dry, dusty with scrubby dusty bushes, unappealing to look at. People don't clean up their dog's crap, most probably because the few garbage cans there is are miles apart too. Everywhere you look is trash, broken glass, and dried dog crap. Especially lots of trash on trail where it goes past the local high school. Smell of marijuana being smoked is also strong there. Not where I want to push my kids in their stroller so I can get some exercise. I have to either walk at the local cemetery where their are hobos lurking from the perimeter trees, but there is a bathroom and water, or drive miles away to Paradise lake trail, (with clean port-o-potty's but no drinking water), or drive miles away to Bidwell Park in Chico. It's a real pain in the *** to have to drive out of town to get some decent walking with kids or risk it with the cemetery hobos because the Paradise Train Trail is so terrible.

Chico Airport Bike Path

Homeless

June, 2017 by pvphoto

Other than the homeless and the just plain obnoxious people the route is great and I have been riding this route for many years. Recently the rest area at the top entering the airport was destroyed, and with the hot weather this could be a problem for some less fit riders!

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Accordion

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