Well known and loved by locals around Alta Sierra, this trail loops through a small nature preserve on a hill with a park-like forest, small meadows, and some nice views.
Interest: Parking Lot Access
***Please reference individual trails for detailed information.
Completed in the summer of 2014, the trail is located in far Western Nevada County on CDFW’s Black Swan Preserve, near the town of Smartsville. This trail weaves through blue oak and gray pine woodlands and leads to Black Swan Pond, once the site of a hydraulic gold diggins.
This popular forested trail on Banner Mountain offers an almost level walk along a peaceful canal lined with Douglas firs and dogwoods. Along the route, views open up to distant scenes of Nevada City.
Runners, walkers and bicyclists get heavy use of this maze of urban trails in the wooded western part of Condon Park.
**Trail closure: A portion of the Nisenan Section of the Tribute Trail is closed for tree work. The anticipated reopening date is May 12th. The trail is closed from Jordon St. to the loop. (Last updated April 27, 2023) Trail Managers: Mixed, see individual sections Length: 7.9 miles in the system. Mileage varies with various…
The popular Hardrock Trail Area is the historic heart of Empire Mine State Historic Park giving visitors access to 856 forested acres within downtown Grass Valley.
Only a mile from the heart of downtown Nevada City, this trail is wheelchair accessible up to Hirschman’s Pond. West of the pond, the trail narrows and meanders through oak woodlands, pines, and grasslands.
This trail leads to popular swimming holes along the South Yuba River and Hoyt Crossing with gorgeous wildflower shows in spring.
Wheelchair accessible Independence Trail East follows the gentle gradient of an old mining ditch and offers occasional views of the South Yuba River canyon and passes seasonal side streams and bogs.
Independence Trail West features several wooden flumes and is oriented for most of its length around the canyon of Rush Creek, a large tributary stream that enters the South Yuba River at Jones Bar.
Nevada County Government Center has several nice places to walk, stroll, or ride a bike plus a park with historic pond, piers and a picnic area. The trail system links downtown Nevada City with the Hirschman Pond.
A refreshing out-and-back side trip with some great views, branching off the popular Cascade Canal trail on Banner Mountain east of Nevada City.
Osborne Hill Trail Area makes up the southern arm of Empire Mine State Historic Park with boundless riding and hiking options through deep woods and some open areas. Along the way look for remnants of several significant mines.
Community built, the trail allows families to walk to school along a pretty stretch alongside Mt. Olive Rd.
Traversing much of the community, it offers an easy, enjoyable way for locals and visitors of this small town to bike or walk between neighborhoods and access Western Gateway Park.
Trail Manager: Rice’s Crossing Preserve managed by Bear Yuba Land Trust | Contact info@bylt.org / (530) 272-5994 Length: 1.1 miles one way. This is a connector trail between Yuba Rim and Yuba Drop. Altitude Change: Approximately 750 feet Difficulty: Moderate. The way out is downhill and can be completed fairly quickly. The hike back up the…
If you’re looking for a quiet loop walk, run or bike ride then be sure to check out the Fitness Trail in the woods west of the landscaped central area.
Kenny Ranch is a large property west of Grass Valley with open meadows and a forested hillside that drops down toward Deer Creek on the north. In spring, look for outstanding wildflowers on ridge meadows.
Trail Manager: City of Grass Valley | Contact Public Works (530) 274-4350 Length: 1.2 miles Altitude Change: 180 feet Trail Surface: Paved, Natural Earth Rules: Dogs on leash. No motorized vehicles. Stay on trails. Trailheads: North Star Mining Museum: Look for the Wolf Creek Trail sign at the corner of Freeman Lane and Allison Ranch Road. (N39.208862 W121.069750) Freeman Lane –…
Trail Manager: Rice’s Crossing Preserve managed by Bear Yuba Land Trust | Contact info@bylt.org / (530) 272-5994 Length: 0.9 miles one way. This is an out and back trail that takes trail users to a gorgeous remote spot on the Yuba River. Altitude Change: Approximately 1,000 feet Difficulty: This is a very difficult, double black diamond…
Opened officially to the public in the spring of 2015, this volunteer built Land Trust trail offers views of snow-capped peaks and the confluence of the Middle Yuba River and North Yuba River with a moderately challenging 4.5 mile round trip hike with a 500-foot elevation gain.