La Cumbre Peak – Gibraltar Road loop from Santa Barbara

La Cumbre Peak – Gibraltar Road loop from Santa Barbara

Hard

4.9

(7196)

7,197

riders

La Cumbre Peak – Gibraltar Road loop from Santa Barbara

03:37

56.2km

1,440m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Tips

Includes a short out-and-back section

Your route doubles back at a waypoint. If this isn’t intentional, adjust the waypoint’s position.

After 8.83 km for 8 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

210 m

MOXI (Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation)

Highlight • Monument

Innovative museum with lots of quirky things.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.60 km

Modoc Preserve

Highlight • Trail

The Modoc Preserve trail winds through a lush urban watershed, following a seasonal stream shaded by sycamores and oaks. Tucked between neighborhoods in Santa Barbara, this quiet green corridor offers a glimpse of the area's natural ecology, including native grasses and wetland plants.

Tip by

8.83 km

Obern Trail - Cieneguitas Creek section

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Start of the mostly dedicated bike trail, with some short parts on quiet residential streets, following seasonal streams (arroyos)

Tip by

14.3 km

San Marcos - Painted Cave Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

Tackling the legendary climb via Old San Marcos Pass Road and then Painted Cave Road near Santa Barbara rewards you with stunning coastal and mountain views, but demands a massive physical effort on brutally steep gradients. You'll climb steeply initially on Old San Marcos Pass Road which will see you climbing around 6-8% before turning onto the infamous Painted Cave Road for the main challenge. Prepare for an incredibly intense final 1-2 miles on Painted Cave, where the average gradient surges to well over 12-15%, featuring sustained ramps that hit around 20% – this section is a true 'wall' requiring your absolute lowest gears and sheer determination. You'll summit high in the Santa Ynez Mountains and enjoy the unfolding views over Goleta and the Pacific Ocean.

Tip by

35.9 km

La Cumbre Peak

Highlight • Summit

Nice view over Los Padres National Forest. The climb up to the peak is challenging, but it is worth the effort for the great vistas.

Tip by

40.3 km

Gibraltar Road

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

While zipping down Gibraltar Road there are fantastic views down the Santa Barbara coast. At Rattlesnake Park keep an eye open for the Hanglider launching pad right off the road side, and new gliders parking, unpacking, or crossing the road in blind curves

Tip by

55.2 km