Find the top rated birding trails in Merced, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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What a great trail. So glad I finally did it. Wonderful experience.
This trail is a beauty. Wide and smoothly paved, the trail is winds through a series of gentle rollers, offering vistas that are surprisingly expansive. My wife and I parked at the River Center which is at the northern end of the trail (be aware that the River Center gate closes in the late afternoon). The path goes by Woodward Park, an expansive and beautiful park that deserves a visit. We rode the trail to its southern end, which is at a shopping mall. If you're willing to brave a one block street ride, you can then pick up the Clovis Old Town Trail, which would let you add 5.9 miles (one way) to your trip. This path is very well maintained, family safe, had light to moderate foot traffic on the Friday afternoon that we rode it. You won't be disappointed!
Great ride for young children on their own. Keep an eye out for homeless, garbage, and the smell. Beyond that, it's a great ride. Though needs a little greenery.
Great family trail! Stopped and had lunch at O’Brien store very close to the trail.
Nice trail thru town...perfect for all ages...
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.
I have been riding the trail for almost 4 years. It used to be my go to to get conditioning on my bike. I have put on over 4,000 miles since 2017, 3,000 on this trail. I love it. Most everyone is great, however, there is a major issue with people not picking up after their pets. The city provides doggie bags, it’s beyond me why people aren’t more respectful of this beautiful trail.
Took the bikes out for the first time with the wife on her first ride and we decided to ride just around the house and slowly worked her towards the trail and she loved it and did the entire ride and worked our way back home nearly 10 miles on her first ride!! Beautiful riding with great sites.
Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd). Drove into Woodward Park but decided not to pay the $5 ($3 senior) parking fee. Should have read Parking & Trail Access description closer. Noted some folks park in shopping mall across Friant Rd from the park entrance.
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Started at South end, rode to North end and returned. Lots and lots of walkers and few bikers on the trail, nice three day weekend afternoon to get outside. Wonderful views of the San Joaquin River valley and mountains in distance. Of the trails in the Fresno (Clovis) area we rode this one was the best. No busy intersections to navigate, enough curves and small up and down hills to keep this one interesting. Highly recommend this trail.
Location: Fresno, CA
Parking: Shopping Center (Yosemite Freeway & Friant Rd)
Trail Condition: Excellent wide asphalt pathway. Well maintained.
Signage: Trail is easy to follow without signage, follow white stripe down middle of trail.
Comments: Going West to East the first portion of trail is a nice ride with a couple of underpasses and only one intersection to navigate. There is a gated section in this first portion that is closed at night. This section is a wide old railroad bed with housing on each side and now a bunch of trees along the trail. Nice and quiet section. Once passed this gated area the trail parallels a main street with a number of major intersections, which is a significant detractor. In fact, we didn’t finish the trail after growing tired of navigating the intersections. A few walkers and bikers were encountered on trail. It is evident this trail is a rail-to-trail project. The greenway is very wide, flat and mostly straight. Without the many busy intersections to cross this would be a fine rails-to-trails trail.
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