Bear Creek Trailhead – View of Bear Creek loop from Russell Research Station

Bike touring routes & trails

Bear Creek Trailhead – View of Bear Creek loop from Russell Research Station

Hard

4.5

(1638)

18,960

riders

Bear Creek Trailhead – View of Bear Creek loop from Russell Research Station

01:32

15.5km

480m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Briones Regional Park

Waypoints

Start point

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3.75 km

Lafayette Ridge upper Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Boasting some of the best views per inch in Briones Regional Park, the steep dirt double-track trail along the narrow crest of Lafayette Ridge drops southeast from here.

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4.39 km

Briones Crest Trail

Highlight • Trail

Some surprisingly serious climbing to get up, but rewarded with perhaps the best views along the highest part of the Briones crest. Thankfully the live oak trees provide good shade along the ridge.

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6.77 km

View on Mount Diablo

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the Peak of Briones you have a 360 ° view, and in good weather you can clearly see the outline of Mount Diablo.

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10.8 km

Old Briones Road Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Large staging areas with trail in all directions. Briones Road turns into a wide gravel forest road, Old Briones Road Trail, a little past the gate.

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11.0 km

Bear Creek Trailhead

Highlight • Parking

Large staging area with three clusters of picnic tables with BBQ grills, restrooms, drinking fountains. Starting point to the main trails in the network across this hilly park

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11.5 km

Briones Regional Park - Staging Area turnoff

Highlight • Rest Area

Free entrance to the West side of Briones Regional Park. Follow the paved entrance road for a mile or so to the large Trailhead area, with several restrooms, picnic areas, …

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11.9 km

View of Bear Creek

Highlight • Viewpoint

This view of Bear Creek lets bikers peer down into the Bear Creek section of the Briones Reservoir, which has two sources for its water, one source is local and one source is imported.

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12.0 km

One of the nastiest downhills I ever rode, the road is in terrible condition and car drivers where cutting corners at pretty decent speeds. Very beautiful though, would defnitely recommend as an uphill (north to south)

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