Distance
45 miles / 72km
Elevation Gain
3,285ft / 1,001m
Healdsburg to Redwoods
Healdsburg to Redwoods
#15 on our Great Rides list
Healdsburg
Located 1 hour northwest of the Napa Valley sits a bike and wine enthusiasts paradise in Healdsburg, California.
Location
Healdsburg, California, USA
Surface
Paved Road
Difficulty
Level 3
Traffic
Level 2
Discover this ride on our California Wine Country bike tour
Visit Sonoma and the Russian River Valley
This ride takes you on a meander through vineyard heaven as it winds toward to Pacific ocean via the famous Russian River Valley.
You’ll pass many iconic wineries such as Korbel and La Crema and Trek Travel favorites such as Gary Farrell, Porter Creek and Armida before hopping off the beaten path to climb up and over the, very little travelled, Sweetwater Springs road. The terrain dramatically changes from the hot and dry Alexander and Dry creek valleys to a much more wet and temperate, Pinot Noir producing Russian River valley as soon as you descend off Sweetwater springs road. You’ll then feel transported into the fairyland that is Armstrong Redwoods state park, where trees grow over 300ft and are 1,400 years old. We bet you’ve never experienced anything like this.
What you need to know
RIDE DETAILS
Sweetwater springs climb is very steep, narrow and, in some parts, the road is quite rough. We recommend a 28mm tire at the minimum to increase comfort. We can’t recommend anything to help your legs up this steep climb, but a wider tire will at least help to dampen the road roughness. For the rest of the route, the pavement is in great condition and more rolling and windy hills.
Road quality is generally quite good on this route, however watch for sections of pavement which may have been affected by recent flooding, or gravel washed onto the road after rainfall.
WEATHER
There is no charge for cyclists at the Armstrong Redwoods, ride your bike in and bask in the incredibly old and massive trees. Don’t forget your jacket as it can be significantly colder beneath the shade of the redwoods than it is in Healdsburg.
FUEL
Between Healdsburg and Guerneville, there aren’t any stops for supplies…unless you are in the mood for a wine tasting, in which case, there are about a hundred options just off the road. The small town of Guerneville, located right down the road from Armstrong Redwoods, offers a handful of coffee shops, restaurants and resupply options. On especially hot days, grab a sandwich to-go and head down to one of the many parks along the Russian River for an opportunity to relax in the shade or take a dip in the river before heading back to Healdsburg.
While you’re in town
Plan to spend at least a couple days in the Healdsburg area while there are ample rides, great opportunities for shopping, excellent restaurants in about every cuisine and, of course, WINE!
While Headsburg is a quaint tourist town, there is everything you will need on your adventure from large grocery stores and boutique hotels, to bike shops that rent bikes and private wine tasting rooms.
Famous for its sparkling wines, Korbel winery offers an excellent tour every hour during peak season (check their website before visiting). The tour features a tasting of their iconic wines, an excellent tour of their cellars and property and a tasty deli. We recommend stopping here for lunch and exploration on your ride back to Healdsburg!
Ready for this ride?
Book early and save. We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book. Rest assured, once you book, your price is guaranteed.
