Riding the Redwoods Northern California

 

If you’ve ever ridden your motorcycle through a forested area, you know the glorious feeling of being surrounded by trees and wildlife on your bike. However, the Redwood National and State Parks take this feeling and amplify it tenfold. 

These parks are home to the tallest trees on the planet that tower over the roadway and create a feeling of being deep within a fairytale. You can witness these majestic trees from your motorcycle while riding through any of the park’s numerous driving routes. 

Read on to learn more about witnessing the Northern California redwoods on a motorcycle.

What Are the Redwood National and State Parks? 

When people refer to the California redwoods, they’re usually talking about the Redwood National and State Parks. This misty forest area consists of one national park and three state parks, spanning almost 139,000 acres in total. 

The Redwood parks are home to thousands of coast redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. Hyperion is the tallest tree within this park system, measuring 379.1 feet. Helios and Icarus are close contenders, measuring 376.3 feet and 371.2 feet, respectively.

The towering Redwood trees within this park system are also some of the oldest in the country. The most ancient documented redwoods are 2,000 years old, making them some of the oldest living organisms on the planet. 

Redwood trees are breathtaking feats of nature. However, this natural area also has many other beautiful attractions, such as prairies, rivers, woodlands, and the Pacific coastline. You won’t regret exploring the Redwood National and State Parks on your motorcycle. 

Our Favorite Motorcycle Roads In and Around the Redwoods

The Redwood National and State Parks system offers numerous routes for scenic motorcycle rides. Here are three of our favorites routes and destinations in and around the redwoods:

The Avenue of the Giants 

The Avenue of the Giants is one of the best routes to enjoy the Northern California redwoods on motorcycle. This route stretches 31 miles along California highway, making it suitable for beginner riders. However, it passes along numerous towering redwood trees that provide breathtaking views during your ride. 

This ride takes you through the Humboldt Redwoods State Park, part of the Redwood National and State Parks system. You can stop at several groves along the way, including Bolling Grove, one of the first protected areas in the park. 

Mattole Road and the Lost Coast

For those seeking a more adventurous ride, Mattole Road offers a rugged journey through the Lost Coast. Starting from Ferndale, this 65-mile loop takes you through remote and breathtaking landscapes, including lush forests, rolling hills, and coastal cliffs. The road is narrow and winding with some rough patches, but the views are worth the effort. As you descend from the forested hills to the coastline, you’ll be rewarded with stunning ocean vistas and the feeling of riding through one of California’s last truly wild places.

Howland Hill Road

Part of the appeal of riding a motorcycle is being able to ride off traditionally paved roads and directly into natural areas. If you’re looking for a motorcycle route on a partially unpaved road, we recommend traveling Howland Hill Road

This road takes you deep into Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, bringing you very close to the redwood trees in the park. It spans 10 miles, but we recommend giving yourself at least an hour to travel this route. Along the way, you’ll see numerous trailheads that you can take advantage of for a short hike. 

The Chandelier Tree

Start your Leggett Loop adventure by visiting the Drive-Thru Tree Park in Leggett, where you can ride through the famous 276-foot-tall Chandelier Tree. From Leggett, head south on the scenic and winding Highway 1 toward Fort Bragg, enjoying breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you ride. Once you reach Fort Bragg, take some time to explore the coastal town before taking Highway 20 east through Jackson Demonstration State Forest to Willits. From Willits, return north on Highway 101 to complete the loop back to Leggett.

Riding your motorcycle through the redwoods Northern California offers a unique experience and a photo op that you can use to remember your trip to the redwoods. 

Now that you know the best ways to enjoy the Northern California redwoods on a motorcycle, you can begin planning your trip. If you ever become a motorcycle accident victim, contact our Law Tigers team at 1-888-863-7216 for a free consultation..  We also invite you to sign up for your own Law Tigers Rider’s Benefit Kit.