The best MTB trails around Diablo

Mount Diablo, is the Bay Area second-highest peak at 1173m (3849ft). The challenging climb features constantly fluctuating gradients averaging 8%, with tough sections up to 18% and a brutal 23% finish in the last 200m. The equally demanding descent requires good bike handling due to tight corners, potholes, and strong winds. The road to the top is open daily from 8 AM till sunset.

Nice views and toilets after reaching the summit.

Nestled within Mount Diablo State Park, the Summit Trail unveils its beauty, particularly in late winter and spring, when lush greenery blankets the landscape like a scene from a fairytale. Offering a dirt path with gentle ascents, it promises a serene hiking experience amidst picturesque surroundings.

The Wind Caves are part of an area called Rock City in the Mount Diablo State Park. The Wind Caves are unique sandstone caves and tunnels that were formed by wind erosion over time. The caves vary in size, providing opportunities for hikers to wander through and appreciate the sculpted rock.

One of the fiercest peaks in the Bay. Always worth the effort. It’s often much cooler on the summit than the rest of the trails — there is a water spigot up there to fill up bottles. Also a store is open at some times. Don’t bank on it.

This trail is an exciting and challenging singletrack that winds up the side of a steep hill, running parallel to a small creek. The first part of the route has some steep climbs and is narrow and curvy, making it one of the best riding experiences in this beautiful area. During the wet season, the trail can become quite muddy and difficult to navigate due to the cow-stomped surface, but it smoothes out during the dry months for a more enjoyable ride. It's worth noting that poison ivy often grows alongside the trail, so it's recommended to wear pants or long socks.

BBQ Terrace Road is a popular 2-mile double-track trail that offers a challenging climb to the BBQ Terrace campground with little shade. Plenty of wildlife is in the area, so keep an eye out for coyotes and deer along the way. Although it's not a technical ride, it is long and steep, but it comes with great reward when you make it to the other side!

Wall Point Rd is one of the best fire roads for riding in the area. It has excellent views of Mt Diablo, Las Trampas, San Francisco, Mount Tamalpais, and the Sacramento River delta in the distance. While quite climbable, it is much more fun to descend. There are some blind corners, steep rocky sections, and off-camber sharp turns with short climbs interspersed to slow you down. This route is popular for hikers, so try to keep your speed under control during this fun ride. The trail is entirely exposed to the afternoon sun, so getting an early start is recommended.