Portola Road – Old La Honda Road loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Portola Road – Old La Honda Road loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
5.0
(9960)
11,615
riders
Portola Road – Old La Honda Road loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
04:38
63.8km
1,440m
Cycling
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: June 3, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
15.3 km
Boronda Lake
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
22.9 km
Rossotti's Alpine Inn
Highlight • Pub
Tip by
27.1 km
Portola Road
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
Tip by
29.4 km
Old La Honda Road
Highlight (Segment) • Climb
Tip by
35.7 km
Old La Honda Road
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
Tip by
47.2 km
Alpine Road through Redwood Forest
Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway
Tip by
56.7 km
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
56.7 km
View of Skyline Ridge
Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint
Tip by
63.8 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
53.1 km
5.89 km
3.96 km
879 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
63.2 km
598 m
< 100 m
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Elevation
Highest point (730 m)
Lowest point (80 m)
Sign up to see more specific route details
Sign up for free
Weather
Powered by Foreca
Today
Saturday 27 June
19°C
10°C
33 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Description
If you're looking for a truly challenging and rewarding touring bicycle experience in the Bay Area, the Portola Road – Old La Honda Road loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve is a difficult route that delivers. This 39.5 miles (63.6 km) cycling route, with its formidable 4724 feet (1440 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 4 hours and 37 minutes to complete, making it a prime choice for cyclists seeking a significant workout on one of the most popular cycling trails Monte Bello Open Space Preserve has to offer.
What to expect on Portola Road – Old La Honda Road loop from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
This loop is a journey through varied and beautiful landscapes, predominantly on paved roads. As you tackle the iconic Old La Honda Road climb, you'll notice the scenery shift dramatically from sparse suburban oak woodlands to dense, peaceful redwood groves at higher elevations. The climb itself is a benchmark in the region, spanning over 3.3 miles with a remarkably consistent average gradient of about 7.5%, though you'll hit sections up to 14%. This demanding ascent requires very good fitness, but the reward is a stunning environment and panoramic vistas of the surrounding Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, known for its rolling hills and open grasslands.
Planning your visit
This challenging touring cycling route starts from Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, a popular area for cyclists. While specific parking details aren't always highlighted, arriving early is generally a good strategy for popular preserves. The beautiful, shaded sections of Old La Honda Road make it a pleasant ride even on sunnier days, but always check current weather Portola Road Old La Honda cycling conditions before heading out. Remember to carry enough water for this demanding ride.
Trail details
- Distance: 39.5 miles (63.6 km)
- Elevation gain: 4724 feet (1440 metres)
- Difficulty: difficult
- Estimated time: 4 hours and 37 minutes
Comments
Want to know more?
Sign up for a free komoot account to join the conversation.
Sign up for free