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Switchbacks

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (21)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …Carlsbad
  5. Rancho La Costa Preserve
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“Switchback your way to the top of Rancho La Costa Preserve on this steep, steady-going, and picturesque singletrack. ”

Tom Robson
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2.0

Miles

3.2

KM
Singletrack

986' 300 m

High

470' 143 m

Low

515' 157 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

Starting from the on street parking area on Camino Junipero, Switchbacks winds its way on multiple switchbacks (duh...) to a connection with Denning Drive. This steep, technical, at times rocky trail winds through coastal sage and wildflowers, offering commanding views all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Several straightaways allow for fast and flowy sections. Watch for overgrowth and erosion; have fun!

Contacts

Local Club: San Diego Mountain Biking Association (SDMBA)

Land Manager: City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Dept.

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by James W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 21 votes

#1

in Rancho La Costa Preserve

#1859

Overall
  4.1 from 21 votes
5 Star
24%
4 Star
62%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Rancho La Costa Preserve

#149

in California

#1,859

Overall
7 Views Last Month
2,343 Since Mar 17, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
15%
30%
55%
0%
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Photos

To the right is the start/end of Switchbacks. To the left is the start of Nascar (aka Drop Down Trail as indicated by signage).
Apr 13, 2022 near Lake Sa…, CA
By far the most technical section that I encountered.
Feb 23, 2019 near Lake Sa…, CA
Sitting at the top of Nascar
Jan 11, 2015 near Lake Sa…, CA
Switchback descent
Nov 12, 2018 near Lake Sa…, CA
Switchbacks Straightaway
Sep 8, 2017 near Lake Sa…, CA
Batiquitos Lagoon, Carlsbad Stacks and Pacific Ocean View
Sep 8, 2017 near Lake Sa…, CA

2 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 21, 2022
Jordan S
Apr 29, 2022
Michael Bishop
Nov 26, 2021
Roger Booth
Mar 29, 2020
Michael Bishop
Feb 23, 2019
Mike Weber
Sep 29, 2018
Anthony Atkinson
Sep 8, 2018
Will Smith
4.3mi
Aug 14, 2017
Adam Dm

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