1.8 hr
Overview
The Spring Ridge Trail climbs from the parking lot in Portola Valley to Skyline Boulevard through the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. The trail offers great views of the San Francisco Bay Area and the chance to see wildlife in the mornings and evenings as they come out to feed.<br><br>Departing the parking lot in Portola Valley, the trail comes to a split where the Betsy Crowder Trail goes off to the right and the Spring Ridge Trail goes to the left. The trail follows the preserve boundary for the first half mile. On the left side of the trail is a residential complex while on the right side is a pond that provides water for the wildlife in the preserve. Frogs can be heard in the evenings as you hike along the trail. The trail is a doubletrack dirt trail that is eroded in certain places. At roughly .6 miles, the Spring Ridge Trail breaks off to the right and starts to climb more steeply through the preserve.<br><br>Within a tenth of a mile, a small connector trail cuts off to the left and meets up with the Meadow Trail and then in another tenth of a mile, the Betsy Crowder Trail cuts off to the right and descends back to the parking lot on the other side of the pond. Climbing through the woods at this point, the trail works its way uphill at a steady rate. There are points where the trail is sloped and points where it is eroded, so watch your footing as you make your way uphill. At roughly 1.1 miles, the Meadow Trail joins the trail from the left. From this point on, the trail opens up and climbs through the fields of the upper parts of the preserve. The trees give way to fields where rabbits feed beside the trail, and deer can be found feeding in the evenings. Views of the San Francisco Bay come into view as you climb higher. At 1.9 miles, the trail levels out and provides an excellent opportunity to take in the views. <br><br>At roughly 2.3 miles, a tub sits on the left side of the trail with water for horses to drink. It's not potable, so don't refill your water bottles here. The trail climbs steeply again un
Trail Stats
4.3 km
382 m
550 m
167 m
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Photos
California poppies and other flowers bloom in the tall grass beside the trail.
California poppies and other flowers bloom in the tall grass beside the trail.
A deer feeding in the field at night.
A deer feeding in the field at night.
The trail is rough in areas due to wash out or being torn up by mountain bikers or horseback riders.
The trail is rough in areas due to wash out or being torn up by mountain bikers or horseback riders.
The Spring Ridge Trail as it drops from Skyline Boulevard back into the preserve.
The Spring Ridge Trail as it drops from Skyline Boulevard back into the preserve.
The trail rolls gently uphill. You can see erosion issues in the trail due to recent rains.
The trail rolls gently uphill. You can see erosion issues in the trail due to recent rains.
The view of the preserve and the Stanford Dish beyond.
The view of the preserve and the Stanford Dish beyond.
Views from the Betsy Crowder Trail.
Views from the Betsy Crowder Trail.
A rabbit sits beside the trail after having its evening meal interrupted.
A rabbit sits beside the trail after having its evening meal interrupted.
The fields along the Spring Ridge Trail offer great views and the opportunity to see wildlife in the evenings and in the morning.
The fields along the Spring Ridge Trail offer great views and the opportunity to see wildlife in the evenings and in the morning.
The Spring Ridge Trail makes its was along the edge of the preserve.
The Spring Ridge Trail makes its was along the edge of the preserve.
A banana slug on the trail. Insects and reptiles can be found on the trail, so watch your step.
A banana slug on the trail. Insects and reptiles can be found on the trail, so watch your step.
The trail as it runs along the hillside.
The trail as it runs along the hillside.
View toward the Spring Ridge Trail.
View toward the Spring Ridge Trail.
The trail ends at the junction with the Spring Ridge Trail.
The trail ends at the junction with the Spring Ridge Trail.
The Betsy Crowder trail drops off to the left coming down the Spring Ridge Trail.
The Betsy Crowder trail drops off to the left coming down the Spring Ridge Trail.
A rabbit feeds by the trail in the evening.
A rabbit feeds by the trail in the evening.
The Spring Ridge Trail as it drops back into the woods.
The Spring Ridge Trail as it drops back into the woods.
The trail, the fields, and the views make this trail great, despite the steep grade of the trail.
The trail, the fields, and the views make this trail great, despite the steep grade of the trail.
The trail enters a shaded grove of trees, a nice break from the sun.
The trail enters a shaded grove of trees, a nice break from the sun.
The Spring Ridge Trail can be seen as it works its way through the preserve. It's a steep drop from here down to that section of the trail in the distance.
The Spring Ridge Trail can be seen as it works its way through the preserve. It's a steep drop from here down to that section of the trail in the distance.
The trail begins to enter a corridor lined with trees.
The trail begins to enter a corridor lined with trees.
Flowers bloom in the spring.
Flowers bloom in the spring.
Even as it descends into the preserve, the views are spectacular.
Even as it descends into the preserve, the views are spectacular.