Use our trail finder to discover the best places for hiking in Napa Valley. With plenty of open space and most of the valley designated a protected agricultural preserve, there are so many hiking trails and awe-inspiring views to explore. Between wine tastings and Michelin-rated meals, get out and explore the many amazing state parks and hiking trails, with oak and redwood forests, mountains and rolling hills, creeks and open spaces, and stunning vista viewpoints. Grab your boots and your daypack to see another side of wine country with our hiker’s guide to Napa Valley.

 

 
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Popular Hiking Trails in Napa Valley:

Alston Park Loop
Length: 2.7 mi loop
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Kid-Friendly, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Wildflowers, Views, No Shade

For an easy hike, try this 2.7-mile loop trail, which climbs only 236 feet and takes roughly 1 hour to walk.


Redwood Trail
Length: 3.0 mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Walking, Kid-Friendly, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian
Attractions: Forest, River / Creek

Trail skirts the south side of Ritchey Creek and is heavily shaded by redwoods and evergreen forest, allowing for a peaceful walk along the creek bank among the ferns and other shade-loving plants.


Coyote Peak Trail
Length: 4.7 mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running
Attractions: Forest, Views, River / Creek, Birding, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Walk part of Redwood Trail before reaching this single-track trail with expansive views at the 1,170-foot peak of the surrounding hills and valleys.


Ritchey Canyon & Upper Ritchey Canyon Trails
Length: 7.3 mi out & back
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking
Attractions: Forest, River / Creek, Birding, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Start on Redwood Trail, Ritchey Canyon Trail continues through the park on historic routes, and Upper Ritchey Canyon Trail leads to the site of the Traverso Homestead dating to the 1880s.


History Trail
Length: 2.4 mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Walking, Kid-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Birding, Wildflowers

Start at the Pioneer Cemetery and take a short and easy walk over to the Historic Bale Grist Mill State Park located just next door.


Linda Falls Trail
Length: 1.6 mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Features: Hiking, Walking, Kid-Friendly
Attractions: Waterfall, Forest, Birding, Wildlife, Wildflowers

Easy trail, though it can be rocky in many places. It's about a 25 minute walk to the waterfall.


Las Posadas Loop
Length: 4.5 mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Mountain-Biking, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Birding, Wildlife

Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails lead through and around this forest, so you have many options here. A popular loop is made via Las Posadas Fire Road, Roosevelt Road, Serpentine Road, Oak Road, Cemetery Road, Camp Road, and Pine Flat Road.


Valentine Vista Trail & Moore Creek Trail Loop
Length: 4.3 mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian, Kid-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, River / Creek, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife

The 3 mile long Valentine Vista Trail takes hikers 700 feet up the hillside and offers breathtaking views of the valley, Lake Hennessey, and beyond. Descend down on 1.2 miles of the southern half of Moore Creek Trail for a loop hike.


Moore Creek Trail
Length: 6.2 mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Running, Equestrian, Mountain-Biking, Kid-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, River / Creek, Wildflowers, Wildlife

This is not a steep trail, with 400 feet of elevation, so it offers opportunities to slow down and enjoy the creek, trailside flora and fauna, and views up the steep slopes to the sky on either side of the narrow canyon. Follow along Moore Creek for much of the hike, with several creek crossings.


Lake Hennessey Loop
Length: 5.5 mi loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Kid-Friendly, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Lake, Birding, Wildlife, Wildflowers, No Shade

The Lake Hennessey Shoreline Trail is a flat walk following the contours of lake with fantastic views of the shoreline, lake, and wildlife. Beware of possible rattlesnakes and ticks on this trail. For a loop hike, take the 2 mile long Alta Hennessey Trail up a 500 foot elevation climb on rugged hills. This is a mountain biking and equestrian friendly trail of moderate difficulty.


Napa to Yountville
Length: 12.5 miles point to point
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Biking, Walking, Running, Pet-Friendly, Kid-Friendly, Wheelchair-Friendly
Attractions: City, Views, Wildflowers, No Shade

You can park a car at either end of the trail or start your journey anywhere along the trail, with many places along the route to park and jump on the trail. The path through the City of Napa takes you through some city, residential, and light industrial areas. Be sure to check out the 2 mile long Rail Arts District (RAD) section of the trail in Downtown Napa, which runs along the train tracks and features murals and sculptures from celebrated local and international artists. The path between Yountville and North Napa runs along Highway 29 and the Napa Valley Wine Train tracks, with picturesque views of the hills and vineyards.


Newell Loop
Length: 5.3 mi loop
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Running
Attractions: Wildlife, Birding, Views, Wildflowers, No Shade

The first mile of the hike borders lush green farmland. You will pass an old barn at the bottom of a hill. After another half mile you will reach a fork. This is the beginning and end of the loop – starting right will give you immediate views. From here you will climb to an altitude of 830 feet as you hike around the canyon. You'll enjoy lots of wide open views, which also means no shade on this trail. 


Bay Area Ridge Trail: Ridge Road & Midway
Length: 5.8 mi out & back
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Kid-Friendly, Mountain-Biking, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Views, Wildlife

Inspiration Point via Main Street, Observatory Road, Ridge Road
Length: 4.4 mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Pet-Friendly, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian
Attractions: Forest, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Park at the Angwin-Parrett Airport and hike to Inspiration Point by combining several trails: Main Street, Observatory Road, Grave Hill, Ridge Road, and Whoop-dee-doos.


Mossy Rock and Mid-Forest Loop
Length: 1.7 mi loop
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Kid-Friendly, Pet-Friendly, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian
Attractions: Forest

Mossy Rock Trail gets its name from all of the mossy rocks along this route! Mostly a flat walk through a lush, very mossy forested area. The Mid Forest Road is a pleasant return walk through the Douglas-fir forest.


Mill Valley, Ridge, and Flat Rock Loop
Length: 4.4 mi loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Pet-Friendly, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian
Attractions: Forest, Wildflowers, Views

The Maze Trail
Length: 1.4 mi loop
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Hiking, Walking, Kid-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Birding, Wildflowers

Mount St. Helena Trail
Length: 10.0 mi out & back
Difficulty: Hard
Features: Hiking, Mountain-Biking
Attractions: Views, Wildflowers, No Shade, Forest

The hiking and biking trail starts on the forested Stevenson Memorial Trail, then climbs an exposed gravel road to the peak. Take in awesome views on the entire climb, and the peak offers miles of views on a clear day. The five-mile hike to the summit has over 2,000 feet of elevation gain, so bring plenty of water and be ready for a workout.


Oat Hill Mine Trail
Length: 8.3 mi out & back
Difficulty: Hard
Features: Hiking, Mountain-Biking, Pet-Friendly, Equestrian
Attractions: Views, Wildflowers, Birding, No Shade, Forest

For a challenging hike, but one with spectacular valley views, the trail climbs about 1,500 feet in elevation. Enjoy sweeping views of Napa Valley along the lower Oat Hill Mine Trail, while the middle and upper sections of the trail cross striking volcanic formations. Look out for wagon-wheel ruts in the rock, as this was a regular stagecoach route back in the day, and in the spring the wildflowers are gorgeous. Bring plenty of water, as there isn’t much shade along the trail.


Table Rock Trail
Length: 4.4 mi out & back
Difficulty: Hard
Features: Hiking
Attractions: Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife, No Shade, Forest

The trail to the south leads hikers to Table Rock, the volcanic cliffs of the Palisades, and the outskirts of the City of Calistoga. This challenging hike is very steep with loose gravel and some rock scrambling, but worth it for the beautiful views from the top.


Lake Marie Road Trail
Length: 2.3 mi point to point
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Mountain-Biking
Attractions: Lake, Views, Forest, Wildlife, Wildflowers

This is the "main street" of the park and the easiest way to get up into the backcountry with connections to all of the singletrack trails. Several rest benches along the way with nice views overlooking Napa Valley. It's also more shaded as the trail climbs 819 feet elevation towards Lake Marie where there's a picnic table.


Skyline Trail
Length: 3.3 mi point to point
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Mountain-Biking, Equestrian
Attractions: Views, Lake, Forest, Wildlife, Wildflowers

Enjoy a brisk climb for the first couple miles, which is worth it for the incredible views on the way up. At the end of the trail, you'll have multiple options to take other trails for a loop return back.


Manzanita Trail
Length: 1.7 mi point to point
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Running, Mountain-Biking
Attractions: Wildlife, Wildflowers, Forest

Begin at the access road near the disc golf course, this is a singletrack trail with many exposed areas. At the end of the trail, you'll have multiple options to take other trails for an extended hike or a loop return back.


Skyline Park Perimeter Loop
Length: 10.5 mi loop
Difficulty: Hard
Features: Hiking, Mountain-Biking
Attractions: Views, Lake, Forest, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Combine several trails of varying difficulty to complete this loop. The outer loop of the park has spectacular views of the valleys nearby, with plenty of wildflowers, lots of shade, and a difficult climb to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain.


Westwood Hills Park Loop
Length: 2.2 mi
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Views, Forest, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Westwood Hills Park Western Loop
Length: 1.6 mi Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Westwood Hills Park East Loop
Length: 1.2 mil Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: Hiking, Pet-Friendly
Attractions: Forest, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife

Napa River and Bay Trail
Length: 5.6 mi out & back
Difficulty: Easy
Features: Walking, Biking, Running, Kid-Friendly, Pet-Friendly, Wheelchair-Friendly
Attractions: Birding, Lake, Wildlife

This is a family-friendly, gentle, mostly gravel path with nice bay views and benches and picnic tables along the way. The wetlands offer lots of opportunities for birding, so bring your binoculars.