1.5 hr
Overview
The Alpine Road Trail climbs from the terminus of Alpine Road in Portola Valley to Page Mill Road. This trail is popular with mountain bikers, who enjoy riding down from Page Mill Road. While you can hike down the trail from Page Mill Road, its easier to keep an eye out for approaching riders if you hike up the trail.<br><br>There are a couple of parking spots at the trailhead, and more further down the road toward Portola Valley. The trail follows the old Alpine Road once it passes a gate and crosses a gully before turning to the right and starting its climb uphill. Fairly wide at this point, the trail is made of dirt and gravel. Flanked by trees on both sides of the trail, shade is abundant and provides protection in the heat of the day. At .3 miles, homes in the area can be seen off to the left of the trail. Around .6 miles, the trail begins to narrow as it continues uphill. At .8 miles, a bypass trail breaks off to the right and narrows. This is due to the road being washed out. The trail climbs more steeply through this section. The trail is now completely dirt as it weaves its way uphill. There are several places where the trail forks around trees in the trail, so you can take either path as they all end up at the same place back on the trail. At .9 miles, a small trail leads off to the right that leads to an old, rusted out truck, which can be seen just up ahead on the main trail. At one mile, the trail passes through a fence where there is a wide area to rest off to the side before continuing your climb.<br><br>The trail continues along a narrow path, worn down by the mountain bikers who ride the trail. At 1.3 miles, the Crazy Pete's Road Trail breaks off to the right and climbs up toward Skyline Boulevard. A short while later, at 1.55 miles, the Cloud's Rest Trail breaks off to the right and climbs toward an open area below Skyline Boulevard. A little further up the trail, a snow fence has been set up beside a gully to prevent mountain bikers from riding off the edge of the trail.
Trail Stats
4.0 km
301 m
657 m
355 m
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Photos
At this point in the trail, there is snow fence up to prevent mountain bikers from accidentally riding into the ravine on the right of the trail.
At this point in the trail, there is snow fence up to prevent mountain bikers from accidentally riding into the ravine on the right of the trail.
The trail to the pond descends to the right once you enter the preserve along this wide, grassy path.
The trail to the pond descends to the right once you enter the preserve along this wide, grassy path.
The gate at the entrance to the Alpine Road Trail. Mountain bikers like to ride down the trail from Page Mill Road.
The gate at the entrance to the Alpine Road Trail. Mountain bikers like to ride down the trail from Page Mill Road.
The trail is flanked by shrubs through this section, and is a little narrower than the rest of the trail.
The trail is flanked by shrubs through this section, and is a little narrower than the rest of the trail.
Ferns line the side of the trail.
Ferns line the side of the trail.
The trail is wide through this section, which is nice as it allows room for mountain bikers to pass.
The trail is wide through this section, which is nice as it allows room for mountain bikers to pass.
Leaves line a gully off to the left of the trail as you climb toward Page Mill Road.
Leaves line a gully off to the left of the trail as you climb toward Page Mill Road.
Leaves cover the trail in fall as the leaves change color and fall.
Leaves cover the trail in fall as the leaves change color and fall.
The Meadow Trail departs the Alpine Road Trail and begins to climb back toward the fields.
The Meadow Trail departs the Alpine Road Trail and begins to climb back toward the fields.
Moss hangs from the trees along the trail. The trail is shaded, making it nice even in the middle of the day.
Moss hangs from the trees along the trail. The trail is shaded, making it nice even in the middle of the day.
Leaves shine in the the afternoon light in the fall.
Leaves shine in the the afternoon light in the fall.
The trail approaches Page Mill Road.
The trail approaches Page Mill Road.
Due to Alpine Road being washed out in places, there is a bypass trail that serves as the main trail now.
Due to Alpine Road being washed out in places, there is a bypass trail that serves as the main trail now.
An old, abandoned truck sits off to the side of the trail.
An old, abandoned truck sits off to the side of the trail.
The trail comes to a junction with the Alpine Road Trail, where mountain bikers enjoy the descent from Page Mill Road to Portola Valley.
The trail comes to a junction with the Alpine Road Trail, where mountain bikers enjoy the descent from Page Mill Road to Portola Valley.
The trail is fairly narrow as it winds its way through the woods.
The trail is fairly narrow as it winds its way through the woods.
Mountain bikers ride down the trail along Alpine Road. It is popular with mountain bikers.
Mountain bikers ride down the trail along Alpine Road. It is popular with mountain bikers.
At several points in this section of the trail, it splits around trees in the path. You can take either fork as they both end up in the same point.
At several points in this section of the trail, it splits around trees in the path. You can take either fork as they both end up in the same point.
While the trail is wide as it follows the old road, you can see the area that is most popular with cyclists.
While the trail is wide as it follows the old road, you can see the area that is most popular with cyclists.