BEAR CREEK TRAIL, LA QUINTA
Difficulty – Easy
Bear Creek Trail is a pleasant and quick ride with great sights along the way. The trail is fully paved with several water fountains along the route, making it a great path even for novices. The trail is 2.69 miles long with a gradual 287-foot incline.
Hop on the trail starting at the northwest corner of Calle Tampico and Eisenhower Drive and follow it west along the La Quinta Resort Mountain Golf Course. Once the trail turns south riders are rewarded with views of the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west. Fred Wolff Nature Preserve, which is full of desert vegetation and wildlife, also runs along the trail. The trail ends at the southern point of La Quinta at the Cove Oasis Trailhead. Bear Creek Trail is a great option for anyone looking for an easy but scenic ride.
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MID-CENTURY MODERN BIKE TOUR, PALM SPRINGS
Difficulty – Moderate
The second desert route that we think is worth your while is a self-guided Mid-Century Modern Bike Tour. This 7.39-mile route rides along mostly low-traffic streets in biker friendly Palm Springs, and is a “must-do.” The 337-foot climb is spread out, except for a challenging portion on W. Panorama Road; however, the rider gets rewarded not only in great Mid-Century Modern architecture, but also gorgeous mountain and valley views.
This bike route in the desert picks up at the Palm Springs Architecture and Design Center (1957) meandering west and north, before heading back south to end at the Oasis Office Building (1952). This Mid-Century Modern route allows riders to take in some of Palm Springs’ most notable architectural gems, including: The Burgess House (1957); Kaufmann House (1946); and The House of Tomorrow, better known as Elvis’s Honeymoon Hideaway (1960).
The Coachella Valley is a wonderful place to lead an active lifestyle and riding one of the best bike routes in the desert is just one way to experience what the area has to offer. So, whether you’re a visitor or a full-time resident of Coachella Valley, grab your bike and some water and get riding.
