Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cantua Creek, California

Aurora Cutoff R14 is a narrow two-track trail that traces the top of a ridge, leading you toward the historic Aurora Mine. This scenic route offers plenty of opportunities to explore single-track trails branching off…
Learn more about Aurora Cutoff R14

R1 Clear Creek Road lives up to its namesake by following the crisp, flowing waters of Clear Creek as it twists and winds through the canyon toward the hills. This trail provides an enjoyable adventure,…
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La Gloria Road is a graded, well-maintained dirt road that connects the Salinas Valley and US-101 with SR-25 in San Benito County. It is the closest connecting road between Eastern and Western Pinnacles (there is…
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A primary, 6.4-mile Forest Service access road that transitions from graded gravel (easy, fast travel) to a rutted dirt track as it moves into the western end, which was affected by past wildfires. It is…
Learn more about Miami Mountain Road - FS 6S014

This is a Sierra foothill road near Bass Lake, which is not visible on this trek. It is a clear dirt road with very little pinstriping. Some rutting but very manageable. There are several ways…
Learn more about Chepo Saddle 6S13

This is a short connector route and bypass for the nearby portion of Ten Mile Grade that passes through the private property of the adjacent Yosemite Mountain Ranch. This is a fast, single-lane dirt Forest…
Learn more about Ten Mile Spur - FS 5S062

This sandy and dusty trail winds through canyon terrain, dropping 1,600 feet and climbing just over 400 feet across just over 5 miles of diverse landscape. Starting at the Stairway Trail and Sweetwater Trail junction…
Learn more about Feliciana Mountain Road - FS 4S012

This is a fast, fun, single-lane connector road that links the 10 Mile Spur to Miami Mountain Road (6S014). The route is predominantly hard-packed dirt under a dense canopy of pine and cedar. Driving at…
Learn more about Wolf Leap - FS 6S009

Starting from Highway 140, this rugged track drops nearly 1,500 feet and climbs less than 300 feet in under 4 miles before connecting with Ponderosa Way at the top. The trail averages 1 to 1.5…
Learn more about Buffalo Gulch Road

This gravel road starts behind the Briceburg Visitor Center, across the bridge, and follows the Merced River for its entire length, providing continuous water views and sounds throughout the journey. The track maintains a width…
Learn more about Briceburg Road - Merced River

This is a historically significant, long single-lane dirt road that is generally easy (Rated 1) but is NOT a through route due to closures. The surface is a mix of packed dirt, embedded rock, and…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade - FS 4S004

This is a scenic, 9.5-mile single-lane dirt road that rapidly gains elevation as it climbs through the forest impacted by the 2022 Oak Wildfire. The route offers dramatic, expansive views due to the lack of…
Learn more about Footman Ridge - FS 5S025

This trail is a challenging off-road adventure known for its steep inclines, deep ruts, and rugged terrain. The path climbs sharply from the base, demanding both driver skill and a well-equipped 4x4 vehicle. Traction becomes…
Learn more about The Stairway

This is an easy, scenic, and well-maintained dirt/gravel road that serves as a secondary access point from Highway 41 into the historic area of Sugar Pine. The route runs through a beautiful mid-elevation forest, parallels…
Learn more about Lower Speckerman Fire - FS 5S017

Burma Grade climbs almost 1,400 feet in 3 miles. The trail starts at Bull Creek Road and ends at Bull Creek Road South. To access it, take Briceburg Road behind the Briceburg Visitor Center and…
Learn more about Burma Grade Road

This is an unmaintained, overgrown dirt road through a severely burned and recovering forest. The route is defined by deep ruts, exposed rocks, and pinstriping brush. This road serves as a remote access or connector…
Learn more about Sugar Pine - FS 6S090

This is a short, easy, single-lane connector road that provides direct access from Highway 41 (near the Westfall Ranger Station) to the Lower Speckerman Fire Road (FS 5S017). The road surface is dry, packed dirt…
Learn more about Westfall Tie - FS 5S017X

Bull Creek Road South climbs 622 feet and drops just over 300 feet in 4.4 miles. The surface is packed dirt and sand, starting off about one and a half vehicles wide before narrowing in…
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Buffalo Gulch begins from Feliciana Mountain Road and winds for nearly 2 miles along a narrow shelf road. The track is one vehicle wide, composed of hard-packed sand, and sees a gentle gain of 120…
Learn more about Buffalo Gulch - FS 4S11

Sweetwater Ridge climbs almost 500 feet and drops almost 800 feet over just 3.6 miles, though this 7-mile out-and-back trail starts at Feliciana Mountain Road. The trail begins as a gravel surface and transitions to…
Learn more about Sweetwater Ridge - FS 3S012

This trail climbs over 900 feet and drops almost 800 feet across just under 6 miles, creating a challenging route with significant elevation changes throughout the journey. The track winds up and down hills along…
Learn more about Ferguson Ridge - FS 3S004

Branching off from Buffalo Gulch Trail, this 3-mile out-and-back route offers big views and a fun ridge-line drive. The sandy track drops more than 700 feet and gains just 90 feet over 2 miles, making…
Learn more about Ponderosa Way

This is a short, single-lane connector through an area of severe wildfire impact, clearly evidenced by standing silver snags and burnt timber (visible in photos). The route is tight and overgrown due to rapid post-fire…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade C Spur - FS 4S004C

This is a short, fun, and easy dirt Jeep trail through a dense forest environment. The trail features sections of powdery ruts and packed earth that can be driven quickly, making it an excellent connector…
Learn more about Battalion - FS 21E252

This is an easy, two-lane Forest Service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mountain Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt,…
Learn more about Summit Cutoff - 5S009X

This 5-mile out-and-back trail starts at Forest Service Road 3S02 and drops over 600 feet while gaining over 300 feet in less than 3 miles, creating varied elevation changes throughout the journey. The route follows…
Learn more about FS 3S15

An easy, two-lane forest service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mtn Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt, loose gravel,…
Learn more about Summit - FS 5S009

Nutmeg is a challenging 3.7-mile trail that features significant elevation changes, climbing over 700 feet and dropping over 700 feet throughout its length. This single-track trail winds through diverse terrain, offering spectacular views of surrounding…
Learn more about Nutmeg - FS 3S06

This short but intense spur descends nearly 1,500 feet in just over a mile. The trail is narrow, rocky, and exposed, featuring loose shale and shelf sections that demand careful driving. While suitable for high-clearance…
Learn more about Low Times

This sandy trail climbs almost 400 feet and drops over 400 feet in just under 2 miles, offering stunning views of the valleys below and mountains across the landscape within the Stanislaus National Forest. The…
Learn more about Ferguson Gulch - FS 3S023