10 Must-See Hiking Spots Near Napa Valley
Napa Valley is known for its natural beauty, and it’s a great reason to plan a trip to the valley. In 53,000 acres of open space, you can easily spend your days exploring different trails in various parks and still not see it all. The trails found throughout Napa Valley range in skill level. Some are leisurely, while others will have you breaking a sweat.
Kayak Rentals & Tours click here!
You will find yourself surrounded by lush foliage, and Redwood covered creeks, rugged mountains, and gorgeous lakes, as well as a variety of wildlife. Taking a hike is a great way to discover all the natural beauty Napa Valley has to offer, and we have gathered up ten parks and trails for you to check out to get the whole Napa experience.
- Westwood Hills Park Loop
This is a family-friendly park. There are 3 miles of trails to wander around that will lead you through grassy meadows and groves of oak trees. You will find a picnic area near the parking lot and benches and picnic tables set up along the trails to stop and take in the beauty you will find on Westwood Hills Park.
Covering 157 acres of land in Northwest Napa, Alston Park is an excellent choice for a hike. There are 3 miles of hiking trails open to hikers, mountain bikers, dog walkers, and equestrians. You will be led through grassland with giant oak trees throughout into covered meadows filled with oak and Madrone groves and even into a shaded canyon that overlooks the city of Napa and the Napa Valley.
- Active wine adventures
If you are looking for a unique experience, you may enjoy a hike and wine tour. You will be led on a beautiful walk through forests and hills all over Napa Valley. The tour will take you to see stunning viewpoints that no other tour offers.
After your hike, you will be whisked away to a small winery or microbrewery, depending on your tour, for lunch and a wine or beer tasting. The wineries and breweries used on these tours are smaller to give a more authentic experience.
4. Bothe Napa Valley State Park
Located in the heart of Napa Valley, you can enjoy a hike, camping, swimming, and a lovely picnic at this state park. The hiking trails are lined with coastal Redwood, Douglas Firs, Madrones, and Tanoaks. There are over 10 miles of various trails for you to explore. You can spend the entire day exploring this park and taking in all the natural beauty it has to offer.
- Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
The trails found in this park are a bit rough and may not be ideal for a beginner hiker. The terrain is filled with evergreen forests and is a 5-mile hike to the top of Mount Helena. Once at the peak, you can view the San Francisco Bay area, and on a really clear day, you can see Mount Shasta.
The park was named after the famous author, Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote Treasure Island and Kidnapped. He spent his honeymoon in the park in 1880, and while the cabin no longer stands, you will see the area on your way to the peak of Mount Helena.
- Kennedy Park
A family-friendly park of over 350 acres, you can spend the day hiking or playing various sports, boating, or hanging out at the playground. Pack a picnic and enjoy your day surrounded by mother nature.
- Getaway Adventures/ Wine Country Bike Tours
You can choose from a few hiking adventures. You can head to Bothe State Park, hike through the exquisite Redwoods, and take in the views. Spend the day at Skyline Park and head up the trails to the viewpoints of the Carneros, and you can even take an adventure up Mount Helena.
These are fully guided tours with professional guides eager to answer your questions and educate you on Napa Valley and its rich history. You can also include wineries into your hiking adventures for the day.
- Oat Hill Mine Trail
Find yourself on 8.3 miles of old stagecoach routes to explore on the Oat Hill Mine Trail. The terrain is a little rough, and maybe not for newer hikers.
If you do decide to hike the trails, you will find yourself surrounded by a mix of Douglas Firs, Oaks, Gray Pine, and Cypress forests, as well as grasslands and chaparral. In the spring, you will be delighted with the wildflowers. If you are up for the challenge, this trail does not disappoint.
This park is a magnificent 850 acres of wildlife and over 25 miles of trails. There is the main trail to follow to the eastern end, where you will find Lake Marie and a day of fun waiting for you on the lake.
If you are up for a challenge, you can check out the trails along the ridge. You will break a sweat and find stunning views of San Francisco Bay, Mount Tamalpais, and Mount Diablo. This park also has camping, and picnic areas set up.
10. Petrified Forest Walk
This 1.4 Km walk is a popular trail walk full of the biggest petrified Redwoods in the world and is also brimming with wildflowers waiting for you to discover them. The trail is excellent for all skill levels, and you are not likely to break a sweat or have any difficulty completing the walk.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Explore Napa from the river with a guided kayak tour or flexible self-guided rental from the Main Street Dock in downtown Napa.