Hiking, Biking & Equestrian Trails

Armstrong Woods State Reserve
Hikes from 1 mile to 3.3 miles

In addition to the easy, level stroll through the park, numerous hikes are available, originating from within or just outside the park. These hikes range from one-mile easy hikes to a moderate to strenuous 3.3-mile hike. Advanced level hikes begin in the Armstrong Redwoods and wind their way into the rolling hills, forests and grasslands of Austin Creek Recreation Area. These hikes range from 5.6 miles with an 1100’ climb to 9 miles with a 1500’ climb. •stewardscr.org

Foothill Regional Park
6.8 miles of trails

The park offers 6.8 miles of hiking, with difficulty levels ranging from the challenging climb up Alta Vista Trail to an easy stroll along Three Lakes Trail. Picnic Tables and benches are located throughout the park. Some trails are restricted to hiking, while the rest are available to equestrians and cyclists. The park is open from 7am to sunset and well maintained by Sonoma County Regional Parks. No wading, swimming or boating is allowed. You can access the park at 1351 Arata Lane (near Hembree lane) in Windsor. (707) 433-1625.

Healdsburg to Alexander Loop Ride
29.62 miles

Head north from the Healdsburg Plaza on Healdsburg Ave. At the edge of town veer right (east) onto Alexander Valley Road. After passing beautiful vineyards along the way, at about the 4 mile mark you will see locals’ favorite stop, Jimtown Deli and Store. Go left on Red Winery Road, continuing to Geyser’s Road, then stay right onto Highway 128 into Geyserville. You will find wine tasting, some excellent restaurants and a great coffee shop in Geyserville. From Geyserville head south on Geyserville Avenue. Cross under the highway to Fredson Road. Turn left onto Lytton Springs Road then right on Healdsburg Avenue back to Healdsburg Plaza.

Healdsburg Ridge
2-3 miles

Located just north of downtown Healdsburg, this 155-acre park offers a back to nature alternative to wine tasting. With a network of easy to moderate trails, wetlands, chaparral, grasslands and woodlands, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Fitch Mountain, the Russian River and the Mayacamas Mountains. From Highway 101, take the Dry Creek exit and go east. Turn left (north) on Healdsburg Avenue and go about 1 mile. Turn right (east) onto Parkland Farms Boulevard and travel to the eastern end of the road (about ¾ miles). Turn right onto Bridle Path and look for on-street parking. Trailhead is at the eastern end of Arabian Way.
707-431-3302 • www.sonomaopenspace.org

Hood Mountain Regional Park
19 miles of trails

Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve boasts the tallest peak in the Southern Mayacamas Mountain Range and is home to favorite hikes like Pythian Road and Goodspeed Trail (to Gunsight Rock). The park consists of 1,750 acres of wilderness with outstanding hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. On a clear day, park visitors may see the Golden Gate Bridge from Gunsight Rock and the Valley View Trail. Most trails are for experienced hikers in good physical condition. http://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/Get_Outdoors/Parks/Hood_Mountain_Regional_Park_Open_Space_Preserve.aspx

Horse N Around Trail Rides
30 to 90 min. rides | horsenaroundtrailrides.com

The Beach Trail gently strolls through the sand dunes with beautiful views of the ocean before dropping down onto the beach. Ride along a long stretch of beach, capture some memories and continue through the dunes along the harbor. Truly an amazing ride! Safe for beginners and 8 years+. 90 minutes.
The Dunes Trail is an easy going trail with incredible panoramic views of the Bodega Harbour and Sonoma Coastline. Walk through sand dunes decorated with colorful ice-plant, waving dunes grasses and Coastal Blacktail Mule deer peeking through the grass. Safe for beginners & Kids 8 years+. 60 minutes.

Jack London State Park
29 miles of trails

Enjoy stunning vistas and the historic buildings from the ite that famous writer/adventurer Jack London called his home. Trails are shared by hikers, bikers and Equestrians, winding through old growth woodlands, past ancient winery ruins and active vineyards. Guided Horseback trails are available through Triple Creek Horse Outfit. jacklondonpark.com

Jenner Headlands
3.5 miles round trip

This strenuous 3.5-mile round trip hike will ascend more than 700 feet in elevation to a rocky hilltop within the coastal prairie portion of the Headlands. Along the way, hikers will be greeted with dazzling views of the Sonoma Coast (on clear days!). Although this route will follow old ranch roads, some sections are especially rough with uneven footing. This hike is not for inexperienced hikers — you must be in good physical condition and sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are strongly recommended.

Joe Rodata Trail
8.47 miles of paved trails

The Joe Rodota Trail, a segment of the West County Trail, is paved and runs between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. It is built on a former railroad right-of-way; several bridges have been constructed over the old trestles. The trail is especially popular in the spring with the vivid blooming of the wildflowers. It is also an excellent place for bird watching year-round. The trail starts at the pedestrian/bicycle bridge intersection with the Prince Memorial Greenway (between West 3rd Street and Railroad Street), southwest of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. The trail ends near the intersection of Mill Station Road and Highway 116 in Sebastopol.

King Ridge Road Ride
55 miles

King Ridge Road is considered by many to be the crown jewel of North Bay cycling roads. This ride begins and ends in the parking lot on the north end of the bridge over the Russian River in Monte Rio. Turn left on River Road then, after a right turn onto Austin Creek Road, proceed upstream along that pretty creek. Relax and enjoy this redwood laden forest road about six miles, turning right onto Cazadero Highway. Follow that road to past the lazy hamlet of Cazadero (mile 9). At the junction, take the middle road (King Ridge). Ride the ridgeline and prepare yourself for some of the most breathtaking vistas you will ever see. Over the next 22 miles, the road you’re on will change names from Hauser Bridge to Seaview to Fort Ross to Meyer’s Grade without really making any turns. At mile 36, you arrive at a junction with Fort Ross Road, coming up from the coast. Half a mile later, the other portion of Fort Ross turns left, while you continue straight south on Meyers Grade. Connecting with Highway 1, you will take this ultimate thrill ride down that coastal highway past Timber Cove, Fort Ross and Jenner by the Sea, finally bringing you to a relatively level road back to Monte Rio, passing the unique shopping hamlet of Duncans Mills. www.srcc.wildapricot.org/page-274943

Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail
1.8 miles round trip

At 254 square miles, the Laguna de Santa Rosa is the largest
tributary in the Russian River, as well as Sonoma County’s largest
freshwater wetland complex. You can hike the 1.8-mile multi-use Laguna de Santa Rosa Trail (6303 Highway 12, Santa Rosa, 707-433-1625) or follow two miles of loop trails through the Laguna
Wetlands Preserve in Sebastopol. Kayakers can choose between three put-in spots, two in Santa Rosa and one in Forestville. www.lagunadesantarosa.org

North Sonoma Mountain Trail
4.25 miles

North Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail winds up the mountain’s northern slope—past forests of redwood, oak, bay and buckeye; meadows and creeks; and stunning views of the Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and surrounding mountains—to the western edge of Jack London State Historic Park. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/visit/find-a-park/north-sonoma-mountain-regional-park-and-preserve

Pomo Canyon Red Hill Trail
6.5 mile loop

This 6.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail is located near Jenner, CA. The trail features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The exposed landscape of grasslands and chaparral provides plenty of sweeping vistas overlooking the mouth of the Russian River watershed out to Jenner, coastlines down to Bodega Head, and some great overlooks into Willow Creek. Accessible year-round. More Info>

Pygmy Forest Trail
3.8 Mile Loop

Situated at the highest elevation within Salt Point State Park
(25050 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-847-3221), the Pygmy Forest is populated with stands of mature-but-tiny Bishop pine, Bolander pine, Mendocino cypress, and even the usually-gigantic redwood tree. More Info>

Robert Ferguson Observatory
4.5 mile trail

For hikers, Ferguson offers the extraordinary opportunity of traversing PlanetWalk, a 4.5-mile trail through a scale model of the solar system displaying both relative planet size and relative distances between planets. Located at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. www.rfo.org

Salt Point Trail
3 Miles

The 3-mile round trip Salt Point Trail is level with nonstop views. It crosses grassy bluffs along a jagged shoreline. From the Gerstle Cove parking area near the Salt Point State Park Visitor Center, hike toward the sea on the well marked Salt Point Trail. The path is paved for the first 750 feet. When the pavements end, you have the opportunity to step down to a cobblestone beach, or swing right and continue up the trail along the coast. More Info>

Santa Rosa Creek Trails
2.14 Miles

Starts at Willowside Road and heads eastward connecting the City of Santa Rosa’s Prince Memorial Greenway into downtown Santa Rosa. The trail north of the creek is paved and the trail south of the creek is gravel. On the north side of the trail there are three pedestrian/bicycle bridges that cross the following creeks: Wendel, Peterson, and Piner. You can also access the trail by using the existing gravel maintenance roads located on these three creeks. More Info>

Taylor Mountain Trails
6 miles of dirt trails

Nearly 6 miles of dirt trails, along two primary routes with connectors, link to form a loop, and also lead via the Eastern Route to the top of Taylor Mountain. Stunning views of the Santa Rosa Plain, as well as all the prominent surrounding mountains (including St. Helena, the Palisades, Sonoma, Hood, Bald, Tamalpais, and Diablo) await those who summit. The westernmost trail is closed seasonally during the wet season. A new park entrance and trailhead opened at 3820 Petaluma Hill Road, south of Yolanda Avenue. More Info>

Trione-Annadel State Park
40 miles of trails

Located on the eastern edge of Santa Rosa—is home to a hilly terrain that supports seasonal streams, meadows, redwoods, grasslands, a 26-acre lake. Enjoy hiking, biking or riding your horse through undisturbed northern oak woodlands. More Info>

West County Trail
5.57 Miles

The West County Regional Trail runs between Sebastopol and Forestville. This approximately 5.57 mile section of trail starts near the intersection of Mill Station Road and Highway 116 in Sebastopol, and ends in Forestville. Access to the trail is located off the following public streets: Highway 116, Occidental Road, Grey Street, Graton Road, Green Valley Road, Ross Station Road, Ross Branch Road, and Pajaro Lane.
More Info>