Maxwell Road and the Old Ridge Route

When most riders think about great adventure bike trails near Los Angeles, they assume they’ll need to load up and drive several hours away to places like the Sierras, the Mojave, or even Baja. But the truth is, you don't have to go far at all. Nestled right within Los Angeles County, there are some incredible two-track dirt roads that are not only scenic but also big bike friendly.

One of the best-kept secrets? Maxwell Road, which stretches east from the Lake Hughes area—right at the edge of the Mojave Desert. It’s an adventure rider’s dream, especially when the mountain sides are exploding with color during poppy season.

DOW challenge rating: 1/5

GPX TRACK

Maxwell Rd to Sawmill Motor Way to Forest Rt 7N23 to The Old Ridge Rt: 30+ miles of dirt roads.

Recently, the Department of Wander team set out for a midweek escape, riding a BMW GS1250 and a Ducati DesertX along the dirt roads that snake east, running parallel with the famed Pacific Crest Trail. Our route took us towards Liebre Mountain and the historic Old Ridge Route Road.

Spring is the perfect time to ride these hills.

The dirt roads in this area are surprisingly well maintained, making them perfect for a spirited ride. There are sections where you can really let the bikes breathe open and rip, with just enough rough patches to keep things interesting. That said, if you’re planning to ride on the weekend, keep your guard up: the area can get busy with hikers, off-roaders, and other adventure seekers. We went on a Wednesday and in 40 miles only crossed paths with a couple of vehicles and a lone hiker. Bliss.

Well maintained dirt roads at the time of writing.

From the dirt tracks, we worked our way south to meet the historic Old Ridge Route near Pyramid Lake. First opened in 1915, the Old Ridge Route was once the main highway connecting Los Angeles to Bakersfield over the Tejon Pass. Today, it's a crumbling, rugged path filled with history, scattered ruins, and dramatic vistas.

The Ridge Route connected LA and Bakersfield back in 1915.

The current road surface is a mixed bag: broken asphalt, sand, gravel, cement patches, and fallen rocks are all part of the experience. While it’s nothing overly technical, you do have to stay alert—the road can catch you out if you're too busy admiring the scenery (and trust me, it's tempting). For the thrill-seeking riders, there are plenty of off-shoots with gnarly hill-climbs that are guaranteed to get your pulse up in the red.

A well-deserved rest on the Old Ridge Rt Rd after a fun descent.

Riding above the clouds is a surreal experience.

One of the absolute highlights of the ride was dropping down the mountainside where Forest Route 7N23 meets the Old Ridge Route. In April, the hills were absolutely bursting with green grass and bright orange poppies—it was like riding through a painting. Spring is hands down the best time to do this ride: comfortable temperatures, lush landscapes, and those famous California blooms. Fast forward a couple months and expect the hills to be golden brown and the temperatures soaring into the 90s.

After about 30 miles of dreamy dirt and old pavement, it was almost heartbreaking to hit the bustle of Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita. After such a perfect ride, it felt way too soon. Letting the big twins stretch their legs on the freeway, it took less than ten minutes to be back in the suburbs, but mentally we were still up there, winding through poppy-covered hills and forgotten ruins.

If you're looking for the perfect day trip to dust off your big adventure bike, soak in some incredible views, and ride a piece of California’s rich history, this route is calling your name. And the best part? You don't even have to leave LA County.