Trail Manager: Maintained for the City of Nevada City by Bear Yuba Land Trust | Contact info@bylt.org / (530) 272-5994
Length: 2.4 miles one way
Altitude Change: 150′ Maximum
Trail Surface: Natural Earth
Rules: No horses or motorized vehicles. No smoking. Dogs on leash. Please stay on the trails and respect private property. Hikers and mountain bikers watch for each other and pass safely.
Trailheads: Cement Hill Trailhead: Take Highway 49 west toward Downieville past the Nevada County Government Center and turn right on Cement Hill Road. Go 0.1 mile and turn left into the unpaved driveway at 115 Cement Hill Road. There is a small parking area about 30 feet down the driveway on the left – please park perpendicular to the trail. Do not go farther down the residential driveway or disturb residents. The trail begins at Cement Hill Road and wraps around the back of the parking area (N39.26844 W121.02969).
Indian Flat Trailhead: Go 2.4 miles west on Highway 49 from the north end of Nevada City where Highway 49 turns west toward Downieville. Opposite the Willo restaurant, turn right on Indian Flat Road and go 0.2 mile. The trailhead is at the southwest corner of the intersection of Indian Flat Road and Indian Trail (the main internal road of the Indian Trails subdivision). Park on the wide road shoulder of Indian Flat Road about 50 yards east of the trailhead (N39.26853 W121.05326).
Woods Ravine Trailhead: Go 2.4 miles west on Highway 49 from the north end of Nevada City where Highway 49 turns west toward Downieville. Opposite the Willo restaurant, turn right on Indian Flat Road and go 0.2 mile. Turn right on Indian Trail and go 0.6 mile. Park on the road shoulder. The trailhead is on your right (N39.26812 W121.04629).
Trail Facts: Only a mile from the heart of downtown Nevada City, this trail system, partially constructed by the Land Trust, gets you quickly out into nature with lots of different things to enjoy. The centerpiece is lovely Hirschman’s Pond. In 2021, Hirschman’s Pond was designated a Nevada County Historical Landmark to honor pioneer miner Leb Hirschman and the Jewish community that settled here during the Gold Rush. The eastern 0.4 mile of trail is constructed to ADA standards, providing barrier-free access to Hirschman’s Pond. Highlighting this section of trail is a 40-foot long trestle that was built to replicate the railroad and flume construction techniques of the late 1800’s. West of the pond, the trail narrows and meanders through oak woodlands, pines, and grasslands for an additional 2 miles. Hirschman’s Pond is five acres of water from natural sources at the foot of tall cliffs carved by hydraulic mining of the area in the 1800’s. Now people visit to enjoy the tranquil scenery, fish along the shore, and view wildlife including ducks, geese and heron on the pond. There is a nice bench on the south shore of the pond for taking in the view.
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