Gateway Trail System
A growing network of flowy, multi-use trails fanning out from the edge of town toward the mountain — open to bikers, hikers, and runners alike. With everything from beginner-friendly singletrack to bigger backcountry rides, it's Mount Shasta's mountain biking playground, and it's only getting better.
Gateway Trail System: Mount Shasta's Backyard Trail Network
Just minutes from the Inn, the Gateway Trail system is Mount Shasta's homegrown trail network — a fast-expanding web of multi-use singletrack that climbs from the edge of town toward the flanks of the mountain. Built and maintained through a partnership between the Mount Shasta Trail Association and the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, it currently offers around eleven miles of open trail, with an ambitious expansion underway toward 45-plus miles that will eventually link the town to the Ski Park, the Shastice bike park, and the high country beyond. The trails are open to mountain bikers, hikers, joggers, and equestrians, with terrain ranging from gentle, family-friendly loops to flowing descents that keep experienced riders grinning — making it one of the most accessible and rewarding places to ride in Northern California.
For mountain bikers, a perfect place to start is the 10 Gallon trail, one of the network's most popular runs. Most often ridden downhill, it delivers rolling, flowy singletrack with a handful of small rock features and one short mid-trail climb. It's approachable enough for newer riders, yet genuinely fun for seasoned ones. The 10 Gallon Trailhead sits just off Everitt Memorial Highway, the same road that climbs toward the mountain, and at the bottom the trail connects directly into the Bear Springs and Cub Creek trails, so you can keep it short or stitch together a longer loop. Whether you bring your own bike or rent one in town, the Gateway system is an easy, exciting introduction to riding in the shadow of Mount Shasta. And it's a great reason to pack the bike rack next time you visit.
Mount Shasta Trail Association Guide
(Image Credit: Shasta Gravity Adventures, a go-to for the best mountain biking tours and access)
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