Taylor Mountain
Mountain Bike Trail Guide
The Taylor Mountain mountain bike trail system has 12 miles of trail just south of Tiger Mountain, and is a quick drive from Seattle. The lower elevation of these bike trails makes for great winter riding, although the lower trails can get a bit muddy. There is a mix of singletrack and fire roads that can be combined to make a nice lollipop shaped ride, or any number of other loops can be ridden. Mountain biking at Taylor Mountain is a great way to add some variety to your Seattle area mountain biking lineup.
| Total Trails | 19 | Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Total Distance | 12 miles | Style | XC, All-Mountain |
Suggested Rides
While there are a number of loops that can be ridden on a mountain bike this is the most popular Taylor Mountain ride. This ride combines six trails with good ascents and descents throughout. Taylor mountain doesn’t deliver the jumps and technical challenges of Tiger Mountain, but the 2,155’ of climbing is more than enough to give the legs and lungs a good workout. Overall, the trails are mostly smooth with a few roots, rocks, and bridges thrown in.
Taylor Mountain Full Loop
| Total Distance | 11.5 Miles | Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain | 2,155' | Style | XC. All-Mountain |
| Climb | Holder Ridge → Holder Knob → Whiskey Still → Boot Trail | Descend | Mt. Beaver → Carey Creek Trail → Boot Trail → Whiskey Still → Holder Ridge |
The trailhead for the mountain bike trails at Taylor Mountain is located just off of Highway 18 near Tiger Mountain. From Seattle riders can take I-90 to Highway 18, then exit for Issaquah-Hobart Road, turning left for 276th Avenue. The trailhead will be obvious on the left, just south of the highway.
Our Favorite Bikes for Taylor Mountain
Taylor Mountain is situated at a low elevation and the trails drain fairly well, making this loop good to ride all winter long. There are some spots lower down that do get fairly muddy, so it is best to wait for a couple of days to ride after large rainstorms. Taylor Mountain is a popular destination for horseback riders and hikers, also. This means there will be some leftover equine biological debris. Be aware of these other trail users and remember to use proper trail etiquette, like dismounting for horses. In the summer, some of the trails can get overgrown with underbrush including stinging nettles.
