A Mountain Biker’s Guide To Grants Pass
Grants Pass on two wheels is my preferred way of travel and have fun all in one. In the three years I have lived as a Grants Pass local, my love for two wheeled life has carried me to ever expanding levels of health and excitement.Whether you’re into road cycling, BMX, or mountain biking, Grants Pass has something for everyone. The local off-road trails surrounding the hills of Grants Pass are friendly for all ages. They are designed for mountain biking and offer a wide range of difficulties.
My favorite scenic mountain bike trail systems are Cathedral Hills and Bolt Mountain. For beginner to intermediate riders, Cathedral Hills is by far the largest, most scenic trail-system in the local area with two parking lots, much needed shade on the trails, and an extravagant collection of wildflowers (some of which are very rare and unique to our climate.) With posted signs and trail maps, one can navigate the area based on skill level. Similar to a ski resort, trails are labeled by color. Easy Green trails that flow up and down through Madrone, Manzanita, and pine trees, are connected to Blue and Black trails. My favorite black diamond trail is Sugar Bowl because I ride a full-suspension and enjoy the speed generated by burms (corners) and jumps. My favorite Blue trail is Timber Riders Trail Loop. It offers a nice 10-minute scenic warmup ride with undulating hills, and some technical roots and off camber corners.
For MTB riders that are less on the cross-country side and more on the adventurous gravity-oriented side, Bolt Mountain is accessed near Fish Hatchery Park. This mountain is not designed for mountain biking. It is a rocky, steep, fast, and dangerous ride down. The ride up is by far the most challenging climb I’ve ever attempted. It has multiple rocky sections that are very steep, with line choice being essential for success. After many tries, I’ve personally cleared all three challenging middle climbs. The last 100 feet of trail is almost impossible to climb. I always walk up this part. At the top, a beautiful 360° view of steep, green mountains awaits your valiant effort. The way up is the way down. I love Bolt Mountain for its raw and technical nature.
Mountain of the Rogue (MOTR), just outside of Grants Pass, is my all-time favorite place to ride and grow as an athlete. This trail system is made for downhill gravity MTB. Bike Kraft organizes a group ride here on Thursday evenings to create a community environment for riders of all kinds. With one trail designated for climbing and the rest downhill only, MOTR trails are great for riders looking for thrills and more skills.
Recently, “B Street Jumps” was added to Loveless Park and offers a kid’s play area and strider bikes course. The park has a new jump line for progressing riders. Parents can watch over the riders as the park is compact and square shaped, parallel with the road. 
If BMX is your style, GP offers a concrete skate park with a deep bowl section built by the Tony Hawk Foundation years ago. It is a truly amazing work of art. River City BMX has a new race course in town if dirt racing interests you. Catch a sanctioned event or participate in a race by setting yourself up through the River City BMX organization.
Grants Pass has cycle friendly streets, accessing the many areas of town is made easy through designated bike paths, lanes and roads. If it’s pouring rain and you still want to ride a bike, Club Northwest has a state-of-the-art group fit cycling room with a very large projector screen for cycling simulation. If you’re looking for a shuttle to the top of a 5,000ft mountain where you can ride massive jumps through Alpine high speed, rocky, and technical terrain, you have to travel to nearby Mt. Ashland and link up with the mountain bike shop there.
In Grants Pass, Bike Kraft and Don‘s Bike Center offer cycling service and support of all kinds- from tricycle to BMX to electric bikes- they’ve got you covered.
No matter what kind of rider you are, Southern Oregon is a beautiful and diverse place for those looking to have the most fun. Best of all, with its temperate climate, Grants Pass offers four seasons of mountain biking to enjoy.
