Kern Canyon Mountain Biking Trail

more stats

17.3 miles

Distance

2,895 ft

Climb

-2,185 ft

Descent

01:53:42

Avg time

710 ft

Altitude change

2,047 ft

Altitude min

3,217 ft

Altitude max

2,047 ft

Altitude start

2,756 ft

Altitude end

0.8%

Grade

-43.1%

Grade max

52.5%

Grade min

9 miles

Distance climb

7 miles

Distance down

1 mile

Distance flat

01:53:42

Avg time

Kern Canyon Details

Activities
- Mountain Bike
- E-Bike
- Hike
- Trail Running
- Dirtbike/Moto
Riding Area

Southern Sequoia National Forest
Wofford Heights, California
Ref Number

#31E75
Difficulty Rating

Blue Rate
Local Popularity
5 in Mountain Biking [+]
- 5 in E-Biking
- 5 in Trail Running
- 5 in Hiking
- 5 in Dirtbiking
Global Ranking
#171572 in Mountain Biking [+]
- #105668 in E-Biking
- #136871 in Trail Running
- #130832 in Hiking
- #3267 in Dirtbiking
Trail Type

Singletrack
Bike Type

XC
Direction

Both Directions
Climb Difficulty

Black Diamond
Physical Rating

Hard
Season

Spring, summer, fall
Dogs Allowed

Yes
eBike Allowed

Yes up to Class 1
TTFs on Trail

Jump, Pump Track, Roller Coaster
Year Opened

2014
Land Owner

Sequoia National Forrest

Almost all singletrack, this ride contours along oak-studded hillsides, in and out of several drainages, and up and down several ridges, paralleling the Kern River and Highway 178 for much of this route. Although it requires a shuttle ride-unlike most of the others in this chapter-is not a downhill ride. It is definitely more of a cross-country workout. Although there are no sustained climbs, there is a lot of short climbing involved. Because much of the route is exposed and is at lower elevations, it is best done in spring and fall. Summer can be very hot.

Access Info

Lookout for snakes in the summer

Kern Canyon Trail is close to Lake Isabella and about 15 minutes south of Kernville.

From Keyesville: The Keyesville entrance is located just north of the town of Lake Isabella. From Hwy 155, go west on Keyesville Road. Drive almost .7 miles and park on the left in the large dirt open area near the restrooms. This is known at the main Keyesville Staging Area. Follow the directions to the Keyesville Classic, and turn RIGHT onto Kern Canyon Trail approximately 3.5 miles from the staging area.

Freeway Bridge Trailhead: The trailhead parking is on the north side of the 178 at Freeway Ridge 4X4 Road. Look for a dirt parking area with an unlocked gate about 3 miles southwest of of Borel Road or 4.5 miles northeast of the Delonegha Bridge.

From the parking area head up the 4x4 road for a couple hundred feet and turn left on the Kern Canyon Trail.

Delonegha Bridge Lower Trailhead: IF you are driving from Bakersfield, the Delonegha Bridge Parking area is 22 miles up canyon from the HWY 184/178 junction. After Hwy 178 widens into a 4-lane freeway, watch for the parking turnoff on the right just before the bridge. Park at the large parking area by the river. The trail is on the other side of the river, so you have to do a little scrambling and cross the bridge.

Trail Supporters

BLM
Land Manager
USFS
Land Manager

Local Trail Association

Stewards of the Sequoia
Please consider joining or donating to the local trail association to support
trail development & maintenance.
Donate to earn trail karma!

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week

0 rides

6 Months

0 rides

All

3 rides
Last: Nov 12, 2022

c1	c2	c3	c4
January	February	March	April
May	June	July	August
September	October	November	December

update trails status or condition

Kern Canyon Trail Reports

status	date	description
	Oct 14, 2025 @ 4:30pm (America/Los_Angeles) Oct 14, 2025	I lost my go pro on the trail about 2/3 way up. I know its a long shot but if anyone finds it please let me know, probably more likely eaten by a...
	Oct 14, 2025 @ 8:21am (America/Los_Angeles) Oct 14, 2025	Rode from the south end to Badger Gap, 3/4 way up Badger Gap and back. Trail was in ok shape, a bit overgrown in places, tread was down to 1ft or...
	May 11, 2025 @ 9:20am May 11, 2025	Rode from the bottom up to the entrance of Badger Gap and back. Trail is in great condition right now!
	Jan 28, 2023 @ 3:57pm Jan 28, 2023	nowWe only had time to ride about one third (from eastern end as we rode Keyesville first) and it felt like more of a moto trail but was getting...
	Jun 24, 2022 @ 7:03am Jun 24, 2022	Loose top layer (kitty litter) from recent rain and a few new downed trees. One you can duck under carefully, the other has a go-around...