Mount Umunhum Road – Guadalupe Reservoir loop from Cottle

Mount Umunhum Road – Guadalupe Reservoir loop from Cottle

Moderate

4.6

(2860)

14,741

riders

Mount Umunhum Road – Guadalupe Reservoir loop from Cottle

02:40

49.9km

720m

Road cycling

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

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 13.8 km for 89 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

10.8 km

Los Alamitos Calero Creek Trail

Highlight • Trail

Excellent paved, dedicated bike trail safe from car traffic along Los Alamitos Creek and Calero Creek. The two creeks merge a mile further east.

Tip by

18.5 km

Hacienda Entrance

Nature Reserve

23.9 km

Mount Umunhum Road

Highlight • Trail

Hiker/biker trailhead parking at the bottom of the well-paved road reopened in September 2017, climbing sometimes steeply in switchbacks into the Sierra Azul preserve from Hicks Road to the former radar tower on the summit of Mt Umunhum

Tip by

23.9 km

Lower Mount Umunhum Road

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

If you prefer loops, you can use the paved road for a quick efficient climb up to Mt Umunhum summit and use the excellent packed dirt and gravel mountain bike trail to come back down.

Tip by

29.3 km

Hicks Road Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

The steepest section up Hicks Road. If you want steeper though, turn right on Mount Umunhum Road until Bald Mountain Trailhead before heading back down.

Tip by

33.5 km

Guadalupe Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Hicks Road winds around Guadalupe Reservoir. Here, you can see some of the best views of the lake. Please be cautious of cars.

Tip by

36.7 km

Guadalupe Valley Creek

Highlight • River

Guadalupe Creek flows eastward from San Bruno Mountain in San Mateo County, passing through San Bruno Mountain State and County Park and Brisbane before reaching Brisbane Lagoon, a remnant of San Francisco Bay. The area is home to endangered butterflies and the San Francisco garter snake. The creek can be seen from Hicks Road, and it winds along the side of the road.

Tip by

49.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

25.1 km

23.8 km

680 m

326 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

37.9 km

11.9 km

108 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (690 m)

Lowest point (50 m)

Weather

Today

Tuesday 10 November

23°C

9°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 24, 2021,Almaden reservoir bike touring loop

Great bike ride. I went right after a couple of days of rain, and the scenery was incredible, with little streams and mini waterfalls by the side of the road, and both Almaden and Guadeloupe reservoirs at the highest levels I’ve seen in the last 3 years. The climb to the top of Hicks Road was challenging but manageable with …

June 21, 2025,Hicks Rd - Almaden reservoir

It's been a while since I went on this ride. Really nice scenery and small road whit almost no traffic. I still struggle with the 12-16% incline on the second half off the climb

July 28, 2022,Almaden & Guadalupe reservoirs from Branham Ln

Don't get fooled by the gentle slopes leading to Almaden reservoir. To get to the top you will have to deal with 10-15% gradients. The reward: 40mph on the way down.