Briones Regional Park MTB Guide - Walnut Creek, California

Nestled between Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Martinez, and Pleasant Hill, Briones Regional Park offers some of the best mountain biking in the East Bay. While the park is known for its scenic rolling hills, oak woodlands, and grazing cattle, it's the Special Management Area (SMA) that has become a destination for experienced riders seeking purpose-built downhill trails.

Thanks to the collaboration between the Stewards of Briones and the East Bay Regional Park District, the park now features several bike-focused descents, including Hank and Frank, Curl of the Burl, Radio Tower & Texas Toast, and Isaac's DH. These trails blend flowing berms, technical rock features, jumps, and drops into a compact network that rewards skilled riders.

Although the downhill trails are relatively short, expect a solid workout, the climbs are steep, exposed, and can be demanding even on an eMTB. Time your visit between January and April when winter rains turn the hills lush green and cooler temperatures make climbing far more enjoyable.

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Briones is RIPPING right now! 🤘Testing the New Upgrades!

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Briones MTB Gets an Upgrade - New Texas Twists & Toast Features!

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Fast, Flow, and Fun: New Curl of the Burl Features! Briones MTB!

• Trail System at a Glance

  • Location: Walnut Creek, California

  • Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced

  • Best Time to Ride: January – April

  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike & Class 1 eMTB

  • Parking: Free

  • Restrooms: Yes

  • Water: No

  • Trailforks: Briones Regional Park

• Parking & Trail Access

  The best place to begin your ride is the Alhambra Creek Staging Area, which provides easy access to the climbing routes leading into the Special Management Area.

  Alhambra Creek Staging Area

  Amenities

  • Free parking

  • Restrooms

  • Trailhead access

  Although there's a fee station, it is rarely staffed, and parking is generally free.

  There is no drinking water, so be sure to bring enough for your ride, especially during warmer months.

• Important Trail Access Rules

  Briones Regional Park operates under a unique Pilot Program within the Special Management Area (SMA). Before planning your ride, it's important to understand the access rules.

  Monday–Friday

  The Special Management Area is open to all approved trail users. Riders must follow the designated trail-use signs for bikes, hikers, and equestrians.

  Weekends

  Access alternates based on the calendar date:

  • Odd-numbered weekend days: Bikes are allowed in the Special Management Area.

  • Even-numbered weekend days: Bikes are not permitted in the Special Management Area.

  Hikers have access every day on hiking-designated trails.

  Several downhill trails are designated bike-only and downhill-only. These expert trails are signed at both the entrance and exit and should only be ridden in the intended direction.

  Always check the latest regulations before your visit, as the pilot program may change over time.

• Trail Highlights

  Hank and Frank (Black)

  • A progression-friendly downhill trail packed with berms, jumps, drops, and multiple alternate lines. A fantastic place to build confidence while gradually stepping up to bigger features.

  Curl of the Burl (Black)

  • One of the most fun flow trails in the park, featuring rollers, berms, and optional jumps. It's fast, narrow, and easy to carry speed, so stay alert where trails intersect near the bottom.

  Radio Tower & Texas Toast (Black)

  • A challenging descent combining berms, jumps, and technical rock sections. The climb back out is steep, and cattle can occasionally leave parts of the trail rough, but the descent is well worth the effort.

  Isaac's DH (Black)

  • A short but demanding downhill with mandatory drops and no ride-arounds. Best suited for advanced riders who are comfortable committing to technical features.

• Recommended First Ride

  For a first visit, climb into the Special Management Area from Alhambra Creek Staging Area and link together:

  1. Hank and Frank

  2. Curl of the Burl

  3. Radio Tower & Texas Toast

  4. Isaac's DH (if you're comfortable riding advanced terrain)

  Expect plenty of climbing between descents, making this a rewarding ride with multiple opportunities to session your favorite trails.

• Trail Conditions

  The best riding is from January through April, when cooler temperatures and winter moisture create excellent dirt conditions.

  During summer, the exposed hills can become extremely hot, and trails are often dry and dusty. After heavy rain, avoid riding until the trails have had time to dry to help preserve the trail surface.

• Trail Organization

  Stewards of Briones

  • The Stewards of Briones work alongside the East Bay Regional Park District to build, maintain, and improve the mountain bike trail network within Briones Regional Park.

  • Their volunteers are responsible for many of the exciting downhill trails that have made the park a premier East Bay riding destination. Supporting the organization through donations or volunteer trail days helps ensure these trails continue to improve for future riders.

  Website:stewardsofbriones.org

• Local Bike Shops

  Hank & Frank Bicycles

  • Located nearby, Hank & Frank Bicycles is a great stop for repairs, parts, gear, or local trail advice before heading into Briones.

  Website: hankandfrank.com

• Food & Drinks

  After your ride, nearby Walnut Creek and Lafayette offer plenty of great options for food and drinks. Whether you're looking for coffee, tacos, burgers, breweries, or a sit-down meal, both downtown areas are just a short drive from the trailhead and have something for every appetite.

• Know Before You Go!

  • Check the odd/even weekend access rules before your ride.

  • Ride bike-only trails in the downhill direction only.

  • Be prepared for long, exposed climbs.

  • Watch for hikers and equestrians on shared trails.

  • Respect trail closures and avoid riding after heavy rain.

  • Support the Stewards of Briones through donations or volunteer trail days.

  • Stop by Hank & Frank Bicycles for local knowledge and gear, and enjoy the many restaurants and cafés in Walnut Creek or Lafayette after your ride.

• FAQ

  • Are eMTBs allowed? Yes. Class 1 eMTBs are permitted on trails open to bicycles.

  • Is Briones good for beginners? The featured downhill trails are best suited to intermediate and advanced riders. Newer riders may prefer other areas of the park before progressing to the Special Management Area.

  • Do I need to check the calendar before riding? Yes. Bike access to the Special Management Area changes on weekends based on whether the date is odd or even.

  • Is parking free? Yes. Although there is a fee station, parking is generally free.

  • Is there drinking water? No. Bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months.