3.8
(37)
785
riders
21
rides
Mountain biking around Silverado offers diverse terrain within the Santa Ana Mountains, characterized by rugged canyons, varied singletrack, and wide gravel paths. The region features significant elevation changes and natural landmarks, providing a range of experiences for mountain bikers. Trails often traverse through wilderness parks and offer views of the surrounding landscape.
Last updated: June 23, 2026

25
riders
26.7km
03:01
870m
870m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
15
riders
41.7km
04:27
1,320m
1,320m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

Sign up for free
12.6km
01:41
620m
620m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
76
riders
40.3km
04:00
930m
930m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
1.0
(1)
29
riders
46.2km
05:28
1,650m
1,650m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
The panoramic lookout into Cleveland National Forest from North Main Divide Road is just marvellous, especially at sunrise.
0
0
Situated up with the cell towers at 3,045 feet, Sierra Peak offers awesome views of Orange County and the surrounding mountains. Because it's such a long trek from car to summit, you'll likely have most of the route and the peak to yourself.
0
0
The Silverado Motorway (also referred to as The Motorway and Silverado Trail) is a multi-directional trail, but it's an absolute must-do in the downhill direction. You get continuous views as you rip in and out of small canyons and ravines on a smooth dirt and gravel path.
0
0
This used to be the village of PuhĂș, which was shared between four different local indigenous tribes. The village was massacred by fur traders in 1832.
0
0
The ruins of Beeks Place are the remains of old stone buildings built in the 1930's by Joseph Beeks (who created the Balboa Island Ferry service in Newport Beach) to use as a weekend getaway. Located right along Main Divide road, it makes for a nice place to take a break and take in the views.
0
0
Climbing to this point involves navigating some pleasant elevation changes, but the sweeping views of the Orange County area make the effort well worthwhile.
0
0
At 5,689 ft (1,734 m) Santiago Peak is the highest point in Orange County. It also marks the border between Orange and Riverside Counties. It's a good vantage point, and you can spot some other Southern California peaks such as San Gorgonio Mountain, San Jacinto Peak, and Mount San Antonio. You won't however, be afforded a full 360 degree view of the landscape due to the large number of antennas sited here.
1
0
Maple Springs Trailhead is found at the end of Silverado Canyon Road, in Cleveland National Forest. The gate will be closed at times of high fire risk or bad weather. Maple Springs Road is initially paved (with some potholes) but gives way to a dirt road. It's exposed, hot and you'll likely be sharing the route with 4x4 / motocross bikes - my recommendation, don't argue about right of way, just give way. And bring your own water!
1
0
There are over 20 mountain bike trails around Silverado, offering a variety of experiences for different skill levels. You'll find everything from moderate paths to challenging climbs within the Santa Ana Mountains.
The terrain around Silverado is diverse, featuring rugged canyons, varied singletrack, and wide gravel paths. You'll encounter significant elevation changes, and some trails, like parts of the Silverado Motorway, are described as skinny, loose, and shale-covered. The region also boasts unique natural features such as the red sandstone formations found along the Red Rock Trail in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park.
Yes, Silverado offers a few easier mountain bike trails. Out of the 24 available routes, 4 are classified as easy, providing a good starting point for those new to mountain biking or looking for a less strenuous ride.
Absolutely. Silverado is well-known for its challenging routes. There are 11 difficult trails, including the Black Star Motorway Loop, a 25.9-mile path with significant elevation gain, and the Irvine Regional Park Pond â Maple Springs gate loop, which covers 67.7 miles with substantial climbing.
The trails offer numerous scenic viewpoints. You can enjoy awesome views of Orange County, the surrounding mountains, the ocean, and Catalina Island from peaks like Santiago Peak and Sierra Peak. The Red Rock Trail in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park is famous for its stunning red sandstone formations. Additionally, Black Star Falls, a natural waterfall in Black Star Canyon, is a notable natural attraction.
Yes, the Black Star Falls â Beeks Place loop is a difficult 25-mile mountain bike route that takes you past Black Star Falls, a beautiful natural waterfall located in Black Star Canyon.
Yes, there are several loop trails available. A popular challenging option is the Black Star Motorway Loop, which is 25.9 miles long and offers panoramic views. Another difficult loop is the Black Star Falls â Beeks Place loop.
The mountain bike trails in Silverado are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.0 stars from over 30 reviews. Over 800 mountain bikers have used komoot to explore the varied terrain, often praising the diverse landscapes and challenging climbs within the Santa Ana Mountains.
Yes, for a classic biker hangout, Cook's Corner in Santiago Canyon is a popular spot. It offers a casual, bike-friendly atmosphere with food, drinks, and live music, especially on weekends, making it a great social stop after a ride.
While specific seasonal recommendations aren't provided, the region's diverse terrain and the presence of the Santa Ana Mountains suggest that spring and fall generally offer the most pleasant temperatures for mountain biking. Summers can be hot, and winter conditions might vary, so checking local weather forecasts is always advisable.
Yes, you can find interesting historical sites. For example, the Native American Grinding Stones are a notable historical landmark that can be explored in the vicinity of some trails.
While specific parking locations for each trail are not detailed here, many trails in Silverado are accessible through various wilderness parks like Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, O'Neill Regional Park, and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, which typically offer designated parking areas for visitors. It's recommended to check the specific park's website for detailed parking information before your visit.


Browse the best MTB trails in other regions.