Bike to Wildcat Campground

Distance: 13.4 miles (18 km) roundtrip, strenuous Biking to Wildcat Campground is no easy feat—but a lot of work yields a lot of reward! Enjoy your lunch at sunny Wildcat Campground or spend some time at Wildcat Beach, after you bike up and over one of the highest points of Inverness Ridge. This route begins from the Five Brooks Trailhead. Follow the Stewart Trail northwest for 0.3 miles (0.5 km) to the junction with the Olema Valley Trail. Keep right to stay on the Stewart Trail as it begins a long climb up the side of Inverness Ridge. After another 0.8 miles (1.3 km), keep left to stay on the Stewart Trail as it switchbacks for 2.6 miles (4.2 km) to reach Fir Top, the highest location (1324 ft/404 m) along the southern end of Inverness Ridge. Due to the dense Douglas fir forests, there are no far-reaching views from this point. Continue following the Stewart Trail and enjoy a 2.7 mile (4.3 km) descent from the top of the ridge to Wildcat Campground, where there are vault toilets and potable water. A well-worn path leads along the south side of Wildcat Camp to the beach. Riding a bike is not permitted on the beach itself; if you don't want to leave your bike unattended at Wildcat Campground, please walk it down the beach access path. Please don't lock bikes to picnic tables or other campground infrastructure. Aside from the Olema Valley Trail and the southern sections of the Glen Trail and the Glen Camp Loop Trail, all other trails that intersect with the Stewart Trail pass through the Phillip Burton Wilderness and are closed to bicycles. Visit the park's Bicycle Riding at Point Reyes National Seashore page for specific regulations pertaining to bicycles and tips and information about trail etiquette and safety. Bicyclists must yield to all other users, especially horse riders. Class I e-bikes under 750 watts (1 h.p.) are allowed on the Stewart Trail. The speed limit for all bikes is 15 mph (24 km/h). Please ride respectfully. This route description alone is not a substitute for a trail map. Print out the park's South District trail map (3,422 KB PDF) before your visit, or pick one up at a visitor center on your way. Always check current conditions before heading out into the park and familiarize yourself with park regulations. Please practice Leave No Trace principles. Visit the park's Trail Advisories and Closures page for current information about closed trails, trails blocked by trees, or other temporary hazards or advisories.