1.3 miles
Distance
124 ft
Climb
-637 ft
Descent
00:14:43
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Barranca Trail
  • CCCMB
    Maintainer

Barranca Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Montana de Oro State Park
    Los Osos, California
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (4 votes)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC, Gravel
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    Year Round
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Rock Face, Rock Garden
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Global Ranking
    #38202 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #30406 in Trail Running
    • #93550 in Hiking
  • Local Popularity
    70 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 60 in E-Biking
    • 75 in Trail Running
    • 55 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Land Owner
    California State Parks

Barranca starts from East Boundary with a short climb with several short switchbacks. Beware of poison oak in this section. The top (mile 0.3) provides good views to the South side of Montana de Oro SP.

Right off the top, Barranca begins a steep twisty descent (12-20%). Beware of several blind corners on the upper half of the descent. The trail opens up a bit in the middle third for some great open ridgetop views before a second series of switchbacks. Near the bottom, a wide open traverse ends at a steep rocky drop and two final switchbacks before spitting out onto Islay Creek Road.

Barranca can also be climbed, and its steepness is a good challenge for a full mile.

Barranca handles rain MUCH better than the section of East Boundary that "parallels" Barranca. In the case of recent rain, Barranca is a better option than that section of East Boundary

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Barranca Trail multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -517 ft
  • Altitude min
    357 ft
  • Altitude max
    998 ft
  • Altitude start
    874 ft
  • Altitude end
    358 ft
  • Grade
    -7.7%
  • Grade max
    -45.3%
  • Grade min
    29.6%
  • Distance climb
    1,499 ft
  • Distance down
    4,836 ft
  • Distance flat
    371 ft
  • Avg time
    00:14:43
  • Avg reverse time
    00:26:37
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Nov 28, 2024
Ideal
Avg: 3.95 (14 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • hiking (1 year)
  • moto (1 year)
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      Directions to barranca-trail trailhead (35.286420, -120.844550)
      update trails status or condition

      Barranca Trail Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Nov 28, 2024 @ 9:58am
      Nov 28, 2024
      Apr 6, 2024 @ 5:55pm
      Apr 6, 2024
      Mar 5, 2024 @ 5:55am
      Mar 5, 2024
      		 This is one is pristine going down.
      Jan 25, 2024 @ 2:55am
      Jan 25, 2024
      		 Couple soft spots on the ascent. Decent was 99% dry.
      Jan 1, 2024 @ 6:17am
      Jan 1, 2024
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 2 rides
      • 23 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 49 rides
      • 17 miles avg distance
      All
      • 338 rides
      • Last: May 18, 2025

      Photos

      more »
      255 |
      May 8, 2017 @ 6:18pm
      May 8, 2017
      225 |
      Nov 18, 2016 @ 5:01pm
      Nov 18, 2016
      78 |
      Apr 18, 2022 @ 2:28pm
      Apr 18, 2022
      230 |
      Nov 24, 2018 @ 1:37pm
      Nov 24, 2018

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Figure 8 Route10 miles

      Links

      7 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      Scenic Mountain Biking at Montaña de Oro
      11:41 | 45 | Jul 27, 2024 , Los Osos
      Barranca Trail (dh only) | Los Osos, CA | Fuel...
      131 | May 3, 2022 , Los Osos
      Dirt Gloves First Mountain Bike Ride on Hazard...
      9:24 | 356 | Oct 18, 2020 , Los Osos
      Part Deaux Down Barranca
      7:02 | 469 | May 5, 2020 , Los Osos

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      Montana de Oro State Park

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      • #28350 - 4,751 views

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