The January 2025 Eaton Fire closed most of the dirt above Altadena through at least the end of 2027, and that changed gravel riding around Pasadena. Until the front country reopens, the nearest gravel is in the Verdugo Mountains to the west, where the Glendale-side fire roads are still open to bikes. Clubs that post gravel rides here show up below with their next date.
Where to ride gravel near Pasadena
Start with what’s shut. The Eaton Fire burned the San Gabriel front country above Altadena, and a U.S. Forest Service closure order keeps the lower Mt. Wilson Toll Road and the Sam Merrill, Echo Mountain, Castle Canyon and Mount Lowe trails off limits through December 31, 2027. Those were the dirt classics straight from Pasadena, so don’t plan around them yet. The order has been revised more than once, so check Angeles National Forest alerts first.
What’s open sits to the west. The Verdugo Mountains rise between Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge, and their fire roads are legal for bikes while the narrow trails are hiking only. From the Glendale side, the Beaudry Motorway makes a loop that climbs steadily into the range and drops back the other way: a solid hour of dirt with city views the whole climb. Red flag days and rain can close these roads too, so read the trailhead signs.
If the dirt is closed or wet, there’s still pavement. The Rose Bowl Loop gives flat, car-free laps in the Arroyo Seco, and Angeles Crest Highway climbs from La Cañada Flintridge toward Mt. Wilson when its gates are open. Neither is gravel, but both keep the legs turning while the front country recovers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride gravel above Altadena and Pasadena in 2026?
Mostly no. After the January 2025 Eaton Fire, U.S. Forest Service order 05-01-26-04 keeps the lower Mt. Wilson Toll Road and the Sam Merrill, Echo Mountain, Castle Canyon and Mount Lowe trails above Altadena closed through December 31, 2027, unless lifted earlier. Those were the classic dirt climbs from this side, so for now most local gravel is to the west in the Verdugo Mountains.
Where can I still ride gravel near Pasadena?
In the Verdugo Mountains, between Glendale, Burbank and La Cañada. On the Glendale side, the Beaudry Motorway makes a fire-road loop with a few miles of steady climbing. Bikes are allowed on the fire roads; the narrow side trails are for hikers. Check the trailhead for red flag and wet-weather closures.
Is the Mt. Wilson Toll Road open to bikes?
No. The lower Toll Road above Altadena is closed under the Angeles National Forest’s Eaton Fire closure order, extended through December 31, 2027. The dates and boundaries have changed more than once, so check the Angeles National Forest alerts page before any dirt ride from Altadena.
How do clubs end up on this page?
Clubs show up when they’ve posted a gravel ride on RiderFinder or Strava recently, or have one coming up. A name or description alone never gets a club listed, so the list tracks the rides clubs actually post.