Gibralter / East Camino Cielo, Camino Viejo Hwy 154 , Hwy 192

Gibralter Rd, East Camino Cielo and Camino Viejo. From Gibralter to the Camino Cielo connector is approx. 7.5 miles. From there East Camino Cielo to Hwy 154 is 11.8 miles. Camino Viejo Rd is 7.0 miles of paved road and which point it turns into dirt fire road. (Note: Many mapping programs, such as Microsoft Expedia, incorrectly identify East Camino Cielo as West Camino Cielo, and Camino Viejo as East Camino Cielo. This is incorrect. West Camino Cielo is west of Hwy 154, everything east of Hwy 154, such as this ride, is East Camino Cielo. Signage on Hwy 154 is correct however). 3D Contour Map The ride was shot entering Gibralter from Hwy 192, then to East Camino Cielo to Hwy 154. If you're coming from Hwy 154 just reverse everything. Entering Gibralter from Hwy 192 is really the only tricky part. Below is a detail map of that entry: From Highway 192, coming from Mission Ridge make a right on at the Sheffield water reservoir, or a left is coming from Mountain Dr. You can't miss the Sheffield reservoir, it's a huge big blue pond. In the following picture I am heading North on Hwy 192, hang a right on Mountain Dr.:

When you come to the 3 way intersection, heading slightly to the right and up the middle on Gibralter Rd. You'll now go through a couple small neighborhoods (with great streets). Finally, at the last 3 way intersection just head straight through, bearing slightly to the left on Gibralter Rd.

Easy sailing from here straight up Gibralter Rd:

As mentioned, the first three or four miles of Gibralter do have some good road conditions. Also to be found are some great twisties and tight corners.

Riding through the chaparral common in Central and Southern California.

I just love roads like this! While traffic conditions are usually light please be careful, cars and trucks are not that uncommon as there are local residents scattered about and the road is travelled by bicyclists, hikers, etc.

After the first tight hairpin corner, the road conditions will start to deteriorate.

Now we are riding on the typical road condition for the remainder of the ride (with the exception of the Camino Viejo offshoot). Your riding through some terrific scenery, on a lousy road.

Like I said, if it were not for the road conditions this run would be extremely popular. From the picture below I think you can tell why...

Now were getting to the mountains, with grandiose scenery, huge rock formations and the California chaparral.

If your up for a slow cruise, it really goes through some gorgeous scenery.

Some of those views I was mentioning. You can see the coast is under some heavy cloud cover on this day.

Ok, this is the sign marker for Camino Viejo, even though the actual sign does not mention Camino Viejo whatsoever. Continue left on Gibralter, or take a right if you want to go up higher on Camino Viejo for the best coastal view possible. The road conditions on Camino Viejo are also vastly better, although not optimal by any stretch.

Continuing down Gibralter, once again you are fooled into thinking the road conditions might be improving.

This is the end of the Gibralter paved road and the beginning of East Camino Cielo. There is really no marking whatsoever regarding this with the exception of the Gibralter Fireroad, just to the right of the corner ahead. Dirt enabled riders may want to explore the fire road.

Almost to the top of East Camino Cielo, your getting into the pine tree line.

At the crest, road conditions become slightly better. These twisites would be just fantastic with a fresh repaving!

Heading up to the radio towers. From the top of this mountain you start descending again.

Looking north west. Just terrific views and mountain landscapes.

Heading down East Camino Cielo you are constantly greeted by the Pacific Ocean, and you are quite high above it. Nice corner eh?

Here you can see some of the road coming apart....quite typical. Another asphalt patch will go there I suppose.....

Why bad road, why? This section was actually one of the better ones....

A nice overview of some of the lower country side.

The Painted Cave entrance. Note that I turned around to snap this photo. Coming down from East Camino Cielo you would actually make a left to go down Painted Cave, which is a nice 4.5 mi. ride in itself. However if you've never ridden Painted Cave I strongly recommend coming up it from Hwy 154 first, there are a couple surprises going down Painted Cave that you should really be aware of (going up these are not a big problem).

Coming down E Camino Cielo.

You hit a few tight twisties near the end of E Camino Cielo. Road conditions do not improve much however so take it slow.

The last section is a nice shady tree lined run. On a hot day the shade is welcome.

Highway 154. From here you can go left back to Santa Barbara or right to Solvang, wine country, Cold Spring Tavern (a favorite of the locals) and some terrific riding. If you entering East Camino Cielo just head straight up. The sign on Hwy 154 pointing to East Camino Cielo is not huge so keep on the lookout for it.

Hwy 154 , Hwy 192