MTB- Paradise Royale

Distance: 12 miles
Climbing: 2610 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: King Range, Tolkan Campground, Shelter Cove

This is the best legal mountain bike ride in Humboldt County. The trail was built with over 4,000 hours of volunteer help. Unlike other rides on my blog, there is good information on the web about this ride including an IMBA article and a BLM Opening Ceremony article . The BLM also has a nice route map which I have posted below.

To get to the start, drive approximately 22 miles west on the Briceland/Shelter Cove Road from Redway. Turn right on King Peak Road and drive approximately 3.5 miles north to Tolkan Campground. There is a trailhead closer to Shelter Cove Road, but the campground has toilets and is located off the dirt road where your car won't get quite as dusty.

The most popular way to do the ride is clockwise, descending down Castle's Moat to Bear Creek and climbing up Prince of Pain. The real payoff is the descent of Mad Queen's Careen, which is a swoopy singletrack with jumps and fast turns. The trail is marked really well so I have not included a que sheet. Just print out the BLM map, follow the trail, and have fun!!!! My GPS showed 12 miles and 2610 feet of climbing. The BLM article states the trail is 14 miles long. I can't explain the difference, but have heard from a couple of other riders who have measured it at 12 miles too.

Click on the Garmin Connect link for a map and other ride details:

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Paradise Royale

WARNING, you have to cross Bear Creek two times. During the winter swift waters could be hazardous. There is no bridge so be careful.

There is an excellent map in Adobe PDF on the BLM website: