9.9 miles
Distance
1,108 ft
Climb
-915 ft
Descent
406 ft
High Point
194 ft
Altitude change
119 ft
Altitude min
141 ft
Altitude start
335 ft
Altitude end
0.4%
Grade
-67.1%
Grade max
56.9%
Grade min
5 miles
Distance climb
4 miles
Distance down
1 mile
Distance flat

Looking for an easy outing in the Encinitas area? Well, this might be it. You can leave the enduro bike at home for this route because there's almost no singletrack to be found, but it's still a fun outing if you're in the area and want to stretch your legs a bit.

You'll warm up with a steep climb and descent on the Indian Head trails, then work your way toward the Water Tank Trail. You'll then head south along a lengthy escarpment while enjoying great views along the way. Eventually, you'll turn back north and make your way back to the starting point, perhaps thinking, "That was so easy that maybe I'll do another lap"

A few things to note:

1. The route is suitable for beginning riders and consists of trails rated green and blue. A few of the steeper sections may need to be walked if you're just starting out.

2. A bell should be considered mandatory. The trails are crowded and multiple-use. Please be cautious around blind corners. Even with a bell, many hikers have earbuds in place and may not hear you. Assume that someone will be standing in the trail when you turn a corner. Please watch your speed and be courteous.

3. All the trails are sanctioned and legal. Have fun!

Detailed Description
Easy Encinitas is a 10 mile moderately popular easy route located near Encinitas California. This mountain bike primary route can be used one direction and has a easy overall physical rating. This route includes 9 trails. This route climbs 1,108 ft with a max elevation of 406 ft then descends -915 ft.
Tags
Family friendlyViewsWater source

Trail Issues on Route

  • Significant Issue / Amber: 1 trail (newest: Jan 21, 2026)
  • Minor Issue / Yellow: 3 trails (newest: Feb 2, 2023)

Stats

  • Distance
    10 miles
  • Avg time
    1 hr 14 min
  • Altitude min
    119 ft
  • Altitude start
    141 ft
  • Altitude end
    335 ft
  • Climb
    1,108 ft
  • Descent
    -915 ft
  • Grade
    0.4%
  • Grade max
    -67.1%
  • Grade min
    56.9%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    1 mile

2 Reviews & Comments

airjamessd
I mistakenly looped the second half three times because it's easy to miss the direction that overlaps on the way back. i wish Garmin could fix course direction for the overlapping parts so it is clear when you look on the map because turn direction is not enough when turns are mieasy to miss. easy to miss turns on the multidirection areas and certain hub stop points. there are some stairs next to bridge you need to hike down and there might be cross traffic on the bottom and top so be carefu if you're riding down. also lots to navigate foot traffic on trails with bell and the large street center divider where cars are going super fast with no crossing lines. also, remember that when vou get to the smaller crossing, turn left to exit back on to the street. i was tempted to ga to the trail so kept on crossing. can spice up ride with tiny root pops, grade reversals lumps, mini side options and drain off camber practice. if u are a golfer, mite get tempted. at least this route is rideable. the other Encinitas route dead ends on a private trespassing dogs sign so this is fun although a bit tricky at first in comparison.

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Trails in Route

Details

  • Riding area
    Encinitas Ranch Pathways and Trails
  • Primary Activity
    Mountain Bike
  • Other Activities
    • Gravel Bike
  • Difficulty rating
    Green
  • Route Type
    Loop
  • Bike type
    AM, XC, Fat, CX, Gravel
  • Direction
    One Direction
  • Physical rating
    Easy
  • Activity Logs
    1

Directions

  1. Bike west on Indian Head Trail.
  2. Continue for 200 meters.
  3. Bike south on Indian Head Trail.
  4. Continue for 400 meters.
  5. Bike northeast on Indian Head Trail.
  6. Continue for 40 meters.
  7. Bear left onto Indian Head Trail Loop.
  8. Continue for 200 meters.
  9. Bike north on Indian Head Trail Loop.
  10. Continue for 200 meters.
  11. Bike southeast on Indian Head Trail Loop.
  12. Continue for 300 meters.
  13. Bike west on Indian Head Trail Loop.
  14. Continue for 40 meters.
  15. Bike west on Indian Head Trail.
  16. Continue for 600 meters.
  17. Make a sharp left onto Indian Head Connector.
  18. Continue for 70 meters.
  19. Turn right onto Water Tank Trail.
  20. Continue for 400 meters.
  21. Bike southeast on Water Tank Trail.
  22. Continue for 800 meters.
  23. Bike south on Water Tank Trail.
  24. Continue for 400 meters.
  25. Bike southwest on Leucadia Blvd Pathway.
  26. Continue for 400 meters.
  27. Bike south on Quail Gardens Pathway.
  28. Continue for 100 meters.
  29. Turn left onto Paseo de las Flores Pathway.
  30. Continue for 200 meters.
  31. Bike east on Paseo de las Flores Pathway.
  32. Continue for 300 meters.
  33. Bike east on Encinitas Ranch Trail.
  34. Continue for 200 meters.
  35. Bike east on Encinitas Ranch Trail.
  36. Continue for 100 meters.
  37. Bike south on Encinitas Ranch Trail.
  38. Continue for 1.5 kilometers.
  39. Bike west on Encinitas Ranch Trail.
  40. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  41. Bike north on Encinitas Ranch Trail.
  42. Continue for 500 meters.
  43. Bike north on Cantebria Garden Trail.
  44. Continue for 200 meters.
  45. Bike southeast on Cantebria Garden Trail.
  46. Continue for 500 meters.
  47. Bike north on Cantebria Garden Trail.
  48. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  49. Bike south on Cantebria Garden Trail.
  50. Continue for 1 kilometer.
  51. Bike northeast on Quail Gardens Pathway.
  52. Continue for 600 meters.
Avg: 3 (2 votes)
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Photos

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mtb
80
mtb
85 | 1 faves
mtb
67
Views 7Rock formations 3Trail Sign 2Summit 1Rock slabs 1

Videos

more videos »
UNP UNCUT - Water Tank Trail - 360 - Adaptive MTB
mtb
UNP UNCUT - Water Tank Trail - 360 - Adaptive MTB
2:06 | 640 | comments: 0 | favs:
Apr 8, 2019
Water Tank Trail (La Costa Preserve)
mtb
Water Tank Trail (La Costa Preserve)
2:57 | 316 | comments: 0 | favs:
Oct 29, 2010
Camera head slipped... Oh well... Will have to reshoot this one later... (10.29.2010)

Recent Trail Reports Along Route

statustraildateconditiondescription
Cantebria Garden Trail
Jan 21, 2026 @ 6:50am (America/Los_Angeles)
Jan 21, 2026
TRAIL WORK IN PROGRESS. Heavy equipment. Exercise caution. Work will conclude EOD Jan21, but new dirt will cause conditions to be extremely loose until next rain.
Indian Head Trail Loop
Feb 2, 2023 @ 12:36am
Feb 2, 2023
Trail is seriously rutty due to water run off.
Quail Gardens Pathway
Feb 2, 2023 @ 12:36am
Feb 2, 2023
Trail is seriously rutty due to water run off.
Indian Head Trail
Feb 2, 2023 @ 12:36am
Feb 2, 2023
Trail is seriously rutty due to water run off.
Encinitas Ranch Trail
Sep 4, 2022 @ 8:12am
Sep 4, 2022
more reports »

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