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A sample of the legal singletrack right in the city!


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Map Key

8.2

Miles

13.2

KM

15%

Singletrack

923' 281 m

High

111' 34 m

Low

1,287' 392 m

Up

1,289' 393 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

64%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

Overview

Great for both hardtails and squishy bikes. A climb up Market Street, followed by a drop-in to the new Laguna-Honda trail system, then a convenient way into the Mount Sutro/Interior Greenbelt trail system. Features the best legal singletrack in San Francisco, good cardio on the climbs, and some stunning views.

Need to Know

Frequent hikers in the Sutro section. Don't rip on the downhills, practice courtesy, and ride with a bell!

Description

The center of San Francisco is the epicenter of singletrack in the city. While others drive for 30 minutes or more to find dirt, those willing to climb a bit can find some great singletrack right in city limits.

The Climb
Start the climb up Market Street in the Castro. This is a good slog, and the passing cars can sometimes be close so practice caution. Once at the top, near Portola, turn right on Twin Peaks Blvd and a quick left on Panorama Drive. A steep climb through the residential neighborhood leads to the highest trailhead (Panorama Trail) for the new volunteer-built Laguna Honda trail system!

Laguna Honda Trail
Drop in at the Panorama Trail, and ride Troop 88 Trail downhill. The trail is nice dirt, with a few technical features and optional berms. It joins with the Steep Ravine Trail (also known as Bedpan Alley) at the upper parking lot. More switchbacks lead into a rolling downhill through a beautiful canyon overgrown with greenery. Watch out for the sides of the trail, where blackberry bushes rule the roost. At about 2/3 trail distance, bear left uphill on the Knob Trail. This provides a short climb to another parking lot, and options to drop into Sherwood Road Trail (a loop), or directly to Clarendon. Either option will bring you to the Clarendon trailhead, where you begin another on-road climb.
Trail Map for Laguna Honda: sfurbanriders.org/resources…

Clarendon Climb
After exiting the Laguna Honda system, turn right on Clarendon. Climb the hill on the road until you reach the interior greenbelt. The entrance to the Clarendon Connector is on the north side of the road (left as you climb) and is marked by granite steps and an obvious trailhead. NOTE: Use caution crossing Clarendon at this point. Cars drive at high speeds on this road.

Sutro Trail System
Sutro presents MANY loop options, so study the map! Climb the Clarendon Connector to the Quarry road, then bear right on the South Ridge Trail. A left turn on Nike Road leads to the North Ridge Trail, a nice downhill singletrack with switchbacks in the trees. This trail system can become very slippery when the fog is dense, so practice caution! Cross Medical Center way, and re-enter the trails and follow Historic Trail to the Stanyan Trail and Cole Valley. Loop as desired!
Sutro Trail Map: sutrostewards.org/trail-map

The Final Downhill
Climb the hill on 17th Street to the stoplight at Clayton, and use the bike lanes/arrows on eastbound 17th St to descend. You may turn off into the Castro neighborhoods as needed here.

History & Background

The SF Urban Riders (SFUR) have organized many volunteer trail-building days to make both Sutro and Laguna Honda a reality.

Shared By:

Joe Morse

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 7 votes

#3556

Overall
  3.4 from 7 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
29%
3 Star
43%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#415

in California

#3,556

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4,165 Since Oct 15, 2019
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Photos

Bike on North Ridge Trail
Feb 19, 2019 near San Fra…, CA
Starting point short trail up Twin Peaks from Twin Peaks Blvd and Portola Drive.
May 31, 2022 near Daly City, CA
Trailhead at 17th & Stanyan
Feb 19, 2018 near San Fra…, CA
Headed up the Historic Trail
Sep 6, 2018 near San Fra…, CA
Start of Troop 88 Trail
Oct 16, 2020 near Daly City, CA
Looking up the little rock garden on the Lower Historic Trail (it continues up and around the corner).
Oct 27, 2020 near San Fra…, CA
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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 5, 2021
Stephen Frey
Sep 27, 2020
Pipe Becerra
Sep 21, 2020
Dan Hang
Laguna Honda trails closed so limited to Sutro was the only one we could do. Fun though!
Aug 25, 2020
John Null
Aug 6, 2020
Michael Miles
First ride on the loop. — 10h 57m
Jul 29, 2020
Scott Snow
Jul 11, 2020
John Roque
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