Ride Electric Railbikes Among California’s Redwoods In Mendocino County’s Newest Tourist Attraction

Picture this: You’re among the California redwoods, rolling along railroad tracks while seated on a handcar. While using no hands.

Imagine the selfies and social media posts you can get with that adventure.

Where in the world can do so such thing, you ask?

This can be had in Mendocino County in Northern California. It’s the new adventure part of the historic Skunk Train, electric Railbikes that go along the Noyo River. They are custom-built, two-person, pedal-powered rail cars. Just flip a switch and go from pedal power to electric. You don’t even need to steer; the Railbike does it for you.

Called the The ‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ experience,  it lets you roll along the tracks, penetrating deep into the woods through breathtaking scenery.

“One of the most unique ways to see the famed Redwood Route is via the Skunk Train’s Railbikes,” states Robert Pinoli, President of the Skunk Train’s parent company, Mendocino Railway.

“This new ‘Railbikes on the Noyo’ trip is for the more adventurous of spirit and offers miles of travel in the pristine mountain air that has you crossing the Noyo River countless times on this stretch of track reserved exclusively for our railbikes.”

The day begins at the Skunk Train’s Sherwood Road property with a scenic hike down through the redwoods to the Railbikes, which are at the river.

The Railbikes glide inland, 25 miles off the beaten path and crossing over wooden trestle bridges that offer stunning views of the river. The four-hour round-trip excursions are staggered to better enjoy the solitude of the route, with approximately three hours of pedaling (90 minutes each way).

The destination is Camp Noyo, where there is an included picnic with refreshments. There, you can go for a swim in the river or go deeper into the forest of redwoods to  walk amongst majestic trees, blooming wildflowers and carpets of ferns.

Then it’s back on the track to the starting point.

You do, tho, need to be in shape to do this adventure, for this is a strenuous and lengthy trip, requiring excellent mobility to descend to the Railbikes from Sherwood Road. The hike down to the Noyo River is rugged, so this trip is only appropriate for riders who are in good physical shape and able to endure 15 stories of hiking.  People must be 18 to ride solo on a Railbike.

For those looking for a shorter, less formidable trip, the ‘Railbikes on Pudding Creek’ excursion, departing from the Fort Bragg depot, is recommended.