Kirkwood is a region nestled along the Sierra Crest in California, situated within the Eldorado National Forest and adjacent to the Mokelumne Wilderness. This area is characterized by its majestic jagged granite peaks, pristine alpine lakes such as Kirkwood Lake and Caples Lake, and diverse terrain ranging from forested hillsides to high-elevation meadows. Its rugged and varied landscape provides a natural setting for several sports like hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, jogging, and more.
Outdoor…
80
Routes
4.7
(46)
Average rating
866
People visited

4.6
(5)
66
hikers
9.83km
02:31
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
63
hikers
5.33km
01:22
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

26
hikers
2.09km
00:32
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
hikers
6.92km
01:47
30m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
38
riders
30.8km
02:08
280m
280m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
28
riders
38.4km
02:36
310m
310m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
16
riders
45.1km
02:32
200m
200m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
22.7km
01:31
200m
200m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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104
runners
7.12km
00:46
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
runners
19.6km
02:02
120m
120m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
8.55km
00:53
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
5.52km
00:34
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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31
riders
50.8km
02:22
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

20
riders
43.6km
02:10
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
17
riders
57.9km
02:44
500m
500m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
89.9km
04:15
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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15
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
11
riders
28.5km
02:10
140m
140m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
10
riders
9.20km
00:40
40m
40m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.7
(3)
7
riders
15.2km
00:59
110m
110m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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6
riders
38.7km
02:36
400m
400m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
33.3km
01:58
200m
200m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
80.6km
04:50
590m
590m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
53.6km
03:08
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Kirkwood offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, Touring cycling, and Gravel biking. The region is situated within the Eldorado National Forest and features diverse terrain. More than 20 routes are available for exploration.
Kirkwood offers numerous hiking trails for various skill levels, winding through forests and wildflower meadows. Popular options include the Lake Margaret Trail and the Emigrant Lake Trail, which provide views of alpine lakes and peaks. For more information, consult the Hiking around Kirkwood guide.
Yes, Kirkwood features easy hiking trails suitable for less strenuous outings. The 2.6-mile (4.2 km) Kirkwood Meadows Loop is an example of a gentle route. Additional easy options can be found in the Easy hikes around Kirkwood guide.
Kirkwood provides hiking trails suitable for families, including easy loops through meadows and around lakes. These routes offer accessible terrain and scenic views. The Kirkwood Meadows Loop is a good option for families.
Information regarding specific dog policies for all trails in Kirkwood is not universally available. Visitors should check local regulations for individual trails or wilderness areas like the Mokelumne Wilderness before bringing pets.
The Kirkwood Mountain Bike Park features an extensive network of over 20 trails, primarily singletrack and service roads. These trails are designed for various skill levels and offer high mountain views. More details are available in the MTB Trails around Kirkwood guide.
Yes, the region around Kirkwood offers scenic mountain roads suitable for road cycling. These routes provide breathtaking vistas at every turn. The Road Cycling Routes around Kirkwood guide provides specific options.
Kirkwood is a year-round destination, but summer is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling when alpine lakes are accessible and wildflowers bloom. The heavy snowfall from winter contributes to lush summer landscapes. The high elevation provides a diverse environment for activities.
Permit requirements can vary depending on the specific trail or if entering designated wilderness areas like the Mokelumne Wilderness. It is advisable to check with the Eldorado National Forest service for current regulations before embarking on a hike.
Hikers in Kirkwood can experience jagged granite peaks of the Sierra Crest, pristine alpine lakes such as Kirkwood Lake and Caples Lake, and expansive wildflower meadows. The region is located within the Eldorado National Forest and adjacent to the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Kirkwood is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 21,000 visitors sharing routes. The region features 23 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.37 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Kirkwood, including Hiking around Kirkwood, Road Cycling Routes around Kirkwood, and MTB Trails around Kirkwood. Other guides cover running, touring cycling, easy hikes, and gravel biking.
The official website for Kirkwood Mountain Resort is kirkwood.com. For general information, the resort can be reached by phone at +1-209-258-6000.
Many of the multi-use hiking and biking trails in Kirkwood are also suitable for jogging and trail running. These routes allow individuals to experience the natural environment at a faster pace. The Running Trails around Kirkwood guide provides specific options.
The base elevation of Kirkwood Mountain Resort is 7,800 feet (2,377 meters). This high elevation contributes to the region's rugged beauty and diverse terrain, offering extensive views of the Sierra Crest.

