Trails
Trails are an important part of our local quality of life and contribute to the growth of tourism. Hiking our community trails offers residents and visitors many opportunities to enjoy nature, renew themselves and participate in healthy outdoor fitness.
An integral part of the Bear Yuba Land Trust charter to procure trail easements from willing private property owners and to build and maintain public trails in our community. There is no County Parks and Recreation Department in Nevada County, though there are local districts that provide developed ball fields and swimming pools. Passive recreation for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians happens only through voluntary community efforts.
It started for us early in the 1990s when David Palley, an original founder and Board Member, persuaded the Litton family to grant a trail easement alongside the Grass Valley NID ditch near Sierra College. This well-used transportation corridor is considered one of the finest urban trail models in the region for solutions to air quality problems, traffic congestion and other ills associated with a growing community. As the years progress, BYLT has built dozens of trails. We create partnerships between public and private stakeholders, and provide resources to plan and develop trails.
Ways to Support Trails Construction in Our Community
Join Bear Yuba Land Trust:
Your membership dues help pay for our trails coordinator, trail construction and ongoing maintenance. You also get discounts on Treks and other land trust events.
Become a Member
Annual Trails Appeal: Help BYLT Secure $20,000 in Matching Funds to Build Local Trails! Trails don’t just happen. Bear Yuba Land Trust staff, volunteers and other organizations work together to design, build and maintain more than 22 miles of local trails that we can all use and enjoy.
Become a Trails Volunteer:
Help plan and layout trails projects, build and maintain trails, talk to neighbors about donating trail easements, help with community and partner outreach.
Click here to Volunteer
Specially Designated Donations:
Your tax-deductible contributions to the land trust can be earmarked for the trails program. Your charitable remainder trust, bequest, living trust or endowment may be set up dedicated to trails programs as well. Learn more.
Donate a Trail Easement:
A public trail easement legally allows people use a trail to get across your property for recreational purposes. Click Here for What's a Trail Easement? Most trail easements also give the holder of the easement, for example Bear Yuba Land Trust, the right to build and maintain the trail.