EUREKA GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Solitude on the Old Redwood Highway — Biking the 1930s road high above the Pacific
A guided ride through Eureka’s temperate rainforest on a long-closed 1930s highway, useful for planning whether to pedal a short out‑and‑back or tackle the full 8‑mile descent to Enderts Beach.
Solitude on the Old Redwood Highway — Biking the 1930s road high above the Pacific.
The Old Redwood Highway threads through a temperate rainforest outside Eureka on a stretch of the original 1930s road that long ago closed to cars. Today only hikers and bikers use the corridor—winding beneath ancient redwoods, across sweeping hills and along cliffs that rise more than 800 feet above the Pacific, offering one of the best opportunities to ride through old‑growth forest in solitude.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Ride Among Ancient Redwoods in Solitude
This is primarily a biking experience through old‑growth redwood forest where the closed highway gives cyclists and walkers a rare, quiet passage through towering trees and mossed trunks.
Cliffs and Ocean Views More Than 800 Feet Down
The route cruises dramatic clifflines above the Pacific, with sustained viewpoints that sit over 800 feet above sea level and reveal broad ocean vistas from high ridgelines.
An 8‑Mile Challenge Ends at One of America’s Most Secluded Beaches
Riders who take the full Last Chance section can descend more than 1,000 feet back to Enderts Beach after a series of drops and a short climb on foot—ending at one of the most secluded beaches in the country.
What the day feels like
What the Ride Feels Like
Expect a quiet, panoramic ride that alternates long, smooth stretches through cathedral redwoods with open, ridge‑top exposures where the road runs above the ocean. The outing can be kept short and flat as a 3‑mile out‑and‑back or extended into an 8‑mile route that includes a measured 300‑foot drop, a short on‑foot climb of about 100 yards, and an exhilarating 1,000+ foot descent toward Enderts Beach.
THE FOREST
Ride Among Ancient Redwoods in Solitude
This is primarily a biking experience through old‑growth redwood forest where the closed highway gives cyclists and walkers a rare, quiet passage through towering trees and mossed trunks.
THE VISTAS
Cliffs and Ocean Views More Than 800 Feet Down
The route cruises dramatic clifflines above the Pacific, with sustained viewpoints that sit over 800 feet above sea level and reveal broad ocean vistas from high ridgelines.
THE DESCENT
An 8‑Mile Challenge Ends at One of America’s Most Secluded Beaches
Riders who take the full Last Chance section can descend more than 1,000 feet back to Enderts Beach after a series of drops and a short climb on foot—ending at one of the most secluded beaches in the country.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this route suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
A guided biking and hiking corridor through temperate rainforest and coastal ridgelines; route options range from a short 3‑mile out‑and‑back up to the full 8‑mile Last Chance section.
Choose distance to match ability: many riders take a short, flat out‑and‑back, while the full route includes a 300‑foot drop, a short 100‑yard on‑foot climb and a longer 1,000+ foot descent.
This is offered as a guided tour in the Eureka area along the Last Chance section of the California Coastal Trail.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How much does the trip cost?
Rates are $69 for children and $79 for adults.
Who operates the Old Redwood Highway rides?
The guided tours are offered in the Eureka area and promoted as guided rides on the historic highway corridor.
Can I drive the Old Redwood Highway?
No—this section of the original Redwood Highway closed to car traffic long ago and is used only by hikers and bikers.
How long is the route and can it be shortened?
The outing can be an easy out‑and‑back of any length between three and eight miles; the full Last Chance section is about 8 miles.
What notable elevation changes should I expect on the full route?
The full 8‑mile option includes a smooth 300‑foot drop, a roughly 100‑yard climb by foot, and then an over 1,000‑foot descent to Enderts Beach.
What is Enderts Beach like?
Enderts Beach is described as one of the most secluded beaches in America and serves as the terminus for the full descent.