Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapThe Sierra Bike Trail occupies a sliver of land between active Metrolink commuter rail tracks and Sierra Highway, connecting the communities of Palmdale and Lancaster in California's Antelope Valley. The path helps commuters access two Metrolink train stations—one in each city—and also provides a recreational route for residents.
There is a short gap that can be bridged via bike lanes between 6th Street East and Avenue Q around the Palmdale Metrolink station. The trail is landscaped to provide some greenery in the desert surroundings, and some benches can be found along the route. Make sure you bring water, though—the trail is located on the western edge of the Mojave Desert, and the beating sun can be vicious.
Free parking is available at the Palmdale Transportation Center (39000 Clock Tower Plaza Drive) in Palmdale.
This is a nice rail-with-trail for getting around locally in the Lancaster/Palmdale area. A word of caution though - when going north and crossing Sierra Highway from west to east at Technology Drive (1/2 mile south of Rancho Vista Blvd/Avenue P) be sure to wait for the WALK signal, and don’t just rely on the green traffic signal for the cars. This is because traffic from the right (northbound traffic) doesn’t stop when the light is green for the traffic on Technology Drive.
From the southern end of the trail you can also connect to the Avenue S Bike Trail. This is a nice trail (which is not a rail-trail) that extends for several miles in an east-west direction (with a few gaps). There is also a gap of about 1.5 miles between the two trails.
Nice ride, stared from riding up hill from Lancaster to Palmdale. The way back was Speeds up to 25 mph. Get to see a Joshua Trees and enjoyed the desert scenery.
I ride this trail frequently. It is good in that it is out of traffic lanes. The path runs parallel between the railroad tracks and Sierra Highway. There is a Western-style wooden fence between the path and the RR tracks and sparse desert shrubbery and a curb between the path and Sierra Highway.
The entire length of the path is not uninterrupted. There are several major east-west intersections at which you will have to stop and wait for the signal to change. Make sure you press the "walk" button, or else the signal will not know you are there.
As mentioned, this is a desert and you will need to bring your own water. Even though there are several shelters/benches along the path, there is no water nor are there any stores in which to purchase refreshments. Also, being a desert, there is precious little shade or trees/bushes. Things are sparse out here. Traffic on Sierra Highway can be heavy at times, and is always noisy. It moves pretty fast.
Lastly, be aware that in the afternoons, there is a pretty persistent west wind in the Antelope Valley, which means you will get a cross wind the entire length of the trail.
I would classify this as a commuter path; something to get safely back and forth between Lancaster and Palmdale. Not something that you would choose to ride, unless you were ticking off boxes on some type of bike path list, or needed to get from "A" to "B", or in this case, "L" to "P". Instead, head down to Santa Clarita, which has an awesome bike lane/trail system.
This trail links in with the Santa Clara River trail. A lot of it you have to ride you have to listen to cars and truck driving by. I just put on my earbuds in that section. Its nice once you get away from cars. You can spend many fun bike rides in Santa Clarita with this path and also the Santa Clara River path.
_46804_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
