MotoRevRoute Twisty Staff Pick
Highway 49 Gold Country: Nevada City to Sierra City
Nevada City to Sierra City
- Distance
- 55 mi
- Riding Time
- 1h 26m
- Climb
- 6,145 ft
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Surface
- Paved
- Character
- Twisty
- Saves
- 0
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Road Guide
- Best Season
- Best from April through November. Summer is hot in the foothills and cooler along the river.
- Fuel
- Fill up in Nevada City. Fuel is limited farther up the river; carry enough for the round trip.
- Watch For
- Tight blind curves along the river canyons, logging trucks, rockfall, deer, slow traffic in the narrow streets of Downieville, and snow at the higher end in winter.
Weather Along the Route
Forecast at the hour you reach each point, from the riding time. Leave Departure empty to leave now. Forecast from Open-Meteo.
State Route 49 is named for the 1849 Gold Rush and links the old mining towns of the Sierra foothills. This northern stretch leaves Nevada City, crosses the South Yuba River canyon, and follows the North Yuba River through forest to the Gold Rush towns of Downieville and Sierra City beneath the Sierra Buttes. It is an easy day from Sacramento.
Stops
- StartNevada City
- FinishSierra City
