The best traffic-free bike rides in San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument offers over 20 dedicated no-traffic road cycling routes. These routes provide a serene environment, allowing you to enjoy the stunning natural beauty without the constant presence of vehicles.

The Monument provides a unique escape into nature, with routes like the West Fork National Scenic Bikeway offering limited automobile use. This creates a more serene environment for cyclists, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the rugged canyons, diverse ecosystems, and dramatic mountain views. It's a vital natural retreat for the Los Angeles Basin.

Yes, the San Gabriel River Greenway – Santa Fe Flood Control Basin loop from Irwindale is an easy route, perfect for families. The West Fork National Scenic Bikeway, while not listed in the provided routes, is also known for being family-friendly due to its paved surface and limited vehicle access, making it a great option for a relaxed ride.

The routes cater to various skill levels. You'll find a good mix, with 11 easy routes, 9 moderate routes, and 1 difficult route. This allows both beginners and experienced cyclists to find suitable no-traffic options for a challenging or leisurely ride.

Yes, many of the no-traffic routes are designed as loops. For example, the San Gabriel River Greenway – Santa Fe Flood Control Basin loop from Irwindale and the Duarte Bike Trail – Duarte Recreational Trail loop from Monrovia are excellent circular options that allow you to start and end at the same point.

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument is rich in natural beauty. Along your rides, you might encounter stunning views of mountain peaks like Mount San Antonio ("Mt. Baldy") or Mount Baden-Powell. The West Fork San Gabriel River, eligible for National Wild & Scenic River protection, carves rugged canyons, and during the rainy season, small tributary streams create beautiful waterfalls along the bikeway. You can also find serene spots like the Crystal Lake Recreation Area.

The San Gabriel Mountains offer ideal year-round cycling weather. While occasional snowfall can occur at higher elevations during winter, the lower and mid-elevation no-traffic routes remain accessible and enjoyable for most of the year. Spring and fall offer particularly pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery.

Parking availability varies by trailhead and access point. Many routes, especially those starting from urban fringes like the San Gabriel River Greenway, often have designated parking areas nearby. For routes deeper within the National Forest, look for parking at established recreation areas or trailheads. Always check local signage for specific parking regulations.

Generally, no specific permits are required for road cycling on the designated no-traffic routes within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. However, it's always a good idea to check the latest regulations from the Angeles National Forest or specific recreation areas, especially if you plan to access areas with special use restrictions or parking fees.

The komoot community highly rates the cycling experience here, with an average score of 4.5 stars. Reviewers often praise the stunning mountain scenery, the peacefulness of routes with limited or no vehicle traffic, and the diverse terrain that offers both challenging climbs and relaxing, flat sections. The opportunity to escape the city and connect with nature is a recurring highlight.

While many no-traffic routes focus on flatter, more accessible paths, some routes like the Syndicate Coffee – Chantry Flats Trailhead loop from Monrovia offer a moderate challenge with over 590 meters of elevation gain. For more significant climbs, you might need to explore routes that have limited traffic rather than being entirely traffic-free, such as portions of Highway 39 which are closed to motor vehicles at certain sections.