Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Markleeville, California

Pistol Point Trail is one vehicle wide with places to pass on this double track dirt trail. The trail ascends from an elevation of 8,820 feet to a maximum elevation of 9,286 feet. There is…
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Hawkins Peak Road begins as a gradual accent and is typically one vehicle wide with places to pass on this double track dirt trail. The trail gradually ascends from an elevation of 7,057 feet to…
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The 5.5-mile out and back dirt road will take you from HWY 88/89 intersection to Burnside Lake. The dirt road is relatively smooth and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. This is a well-traveled…
Learn more about Burnside Lake Road - 31019

This short out-and-back trail begins directly off Highway 89. It starts paved but quickly transitions to dirt as it winds its way toward an active mine. The road is just wide enough for two vehicles…
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This narrow 3-mile route starts near the end of Leviathan Road by the mine and climbs more than 700 feet. The trail is tight and overgrown in spots, with low-hanging branches and brush crowding the…
Learn more about High Peak Road - FS 31050

The trail begins at the end of Leviathan Mine Road, where a seasonal gate controls access. From start to finish, the route drops over 1,500 feet and climbs about 450 feet in just over six…
Learn more about Leviathan Road East - FS 31052

This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail begins from Leviathan Road and offers a quick but rugged climb. The route gains over 450 feet in under a mile before dropping about 130 feet to its end high above…
Learn more about Water Tank Spur - FS 31347

The trail begins on a dirt road just off Highway 395 and quickly descends into a lush valley. In this valley, the path follows a creek, winding in and out of dense vegetation. At times,…
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This 4-mile out-and-back trail climbs just over 100 feet and drops more than 300 feet in under 2 miles as it winds through dense forest and open meadows. The track is a single vehicle wide,…
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This off-road route, accessed from Highway 89 about 10 miles from the 395 junction, offers a scenic and steadily more rugged adventure into the Sierra backcountry. The trail begins with a sandy dirt surface, scattered…
Learn more about Big Spring Road West - FS 31083

Accessed from Big Spring Road West, this lesser-known offshoot delivers a peaceful backcountry ride through sagebrush meadows and an Aspen forest that truly comes alive in the fall. The trail is one vehicle wide and…
Learn more about Leviathan Bypass - FS 31353

This short connector trail offers a scenic and efficient route between Highway 89 and Leviathan Bypass or Big Springs Road East, making it a useful shortcut for those navigating the area. Access is possible from…
Learn more about Shepherd Road - FS 31354

This scenic trail kicks off 10 miles up Highway 89 from the 395 junction. It starts with a few deceptive mud holes that hint at what's ahead--an off-camber track weaving through a narrow meadow filled…
Learn more about Heenan Spring Road - FS 31084

Pass Spur Road is a scenic and rugged 2.5-mile out-and-back trail that winds through dense Aspen forest, passing a spring-fed pool and a small creek along the way. The trail is primarily dirt with rocks…
Learn more about Pass Spur Road - FS 3108B

This short and scenic trail winds through an expansive open meadow filled with sagebrush, offering wide-open views and a peaceful atmosphere. The surface is primarily packed dirt, making for a relatively smooth ride, though drivers…
Learn more about Forest Service Road S31084A Cutoff

This trail to Leviathan Lookout delivers a short but thrilling alpine adventure. From Highway 89, it climbs over 750 feet in just 1.5 miles, following a narrow dirt and sand road that's well-traveled but increasingly…
Learn more about Leviathan Lookout - FS 31057

This trail becomes very rocky and bouncy with off-camber sections. There are many low trees to get under. But the end of the trail rewards you with scenic views of various valleys and surrounding hillsides…
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This trail, Two Road Road (yes, there are two Roads in the name), is accessed off Monitor Pass Road. This scenic dirt track winds through a peaceful aspen forest before gradually climbing up the hillside.…
Learn more about Two Road Road - FS 31358D

Big Spring Spur Road is a scenic dirt route in the Toiyabe National Forest, accessed from Highway 89, about 7.5 miles west of the Highway 395/89 Junction. This rugged path takes you through open meadows,…
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Virgil Connell Loop Road, also known as Forest Service Road 32087, begins at the top of the grade off Highway 89, offering sweeping views of the Lake Topaz basin and surrounding mountain ranges. From the…
Learn more about Virgil Connell Loop Road - FS 32087

Incense Cedar Trail is a very flowy trail overall and great for all skill levels. It mostly consists of relatively banked corners and small fun rollers that can be ridden normally, wheelied, jumped, etc. One…
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Lower Corral Trail is full of jumps and berms (best ridden downhill and to avoid conflict with mountain bikers). The alternate line allows you to bypass a handful of jumps in the jump line and…
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High Meadows is a more relaxed and flowing trail in the area. The biggest challenge on the trail is the loose sand that is common to the area, but most sections were not too deep,…
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This is a sandy, loose trail made up almost entirely of continuous whoops. Occasional rocks and roots appear along the route, but the terrain is dominated by flowing sand whoops that create a fun, rhythmic…
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This trail follows the South Fork of the John Day River and crosses a very remote area. It's a great area for camping and hiking. Destinations include Blacks Canyon, Izee Falls, and several historical sites.…
Learn more about Elephant Lake

Beginning at the Lake Topaz picnic area the graded dirt road becomes narrower and is single-vehicle wide. Ascending to 5,971 feet this is mostly a packed gravel trail. There are some steep and very rocky…
Learn more about Seven Deer Trail

You'll get some great views of Lake Tahoe from this trail. It's a wide, single-lane gravel trail that's moderately to heavily used during the summer. The gates at both ends of the road are locked…
Learn more about Genoa Peak Road - 41306

This 7-mile out-and-back route begins at Golden Gate Road and drops more than 900 feet while climbing under 300 feet in just over 3 miles. The trail follows a ridge line high above Golden Gate…
Learn more about Napoleon Canyon Road - FS 32092

This 12-mile out-and-back route climbs nearly 3,000 feet and drops over 300 feet in just over 7 miles before reaching the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness boundary. It offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains and a mix…
Learn more about Golden Gate - FS 32399

This trail is commonly mapped as the Kingsbury Stinger Trail in apps, but according to the sign posted at the trail, it is not. It is Forest Service Trail 18E46, and we will refer to…
Learn more about Lower Kingsbury Stinger Alternate - FS 18E46