Enjoy a scenic trail run or hike along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains – and support the Ridge Trail with your registration!
The courses will bring you through Skyline Ridge and Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves as you explore moist evergreen forests, oak–madrone woodlands, and open, rolling grasslands.
Three distance options:
Open to runners and hikers: 10k course, half marathon course (out and back)
Open to runners only: 50K course
This is a supported trail run with aid stations, course markings, and swag offered to everyone who registers!
This spring, as wildflowers bloomed across Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, Ridge Trail staff set out on the trail with an exceptional group of visitors. Youth from the Teen Tech Center (TTC) at Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) arrived to document the preserve through an innovative media project.
The TTC, a free San José arts education program serving youth ages 11-19, partnered with Ridge Trail staff to create three videos showcasing the preserve. Funded by a Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) grant, the project aimed to make open spaces more accessible to diverse communities through digital storytelling.
The students’ motivation was deeply personal. As TTC student Natalia explained, “There have been times where I have wanted to visit a park or trail but was anxious because there wasn’t much information about what to expect. I wanted to create a virtual reality video to help people like myself who experience anxiety when going to new places and for people with other abilities that would benefit from an in depth video of a trail.”
The three videos each serve distinct purposes. The first explores Máyyan ‘Ooyákma’s biology, geology, and cultural significance while educating visitors on preserving its biodiversity. The second documents the filming day, capturing the students’ perspectives and their connection with the preserve’s beauty. The third offers an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience, best viewed with a VR headset.
This collaboration furthers the Ridge Trail Council’s mission through the Authority’s Urban Open Space grant program to broaden access for historically underrepresented communities within the Authority’s jurisdiction. While the Council hosts outings with partners like Latino Outdoors and Saved By Nature, these events can only reach so many people. The videos transcend those constraints, offering the preserve’s benefits—physical health, mental wellbeing, and connection to nature—to those who face barriers to visiting in person.
When asked if there was anything they’d like others to take away when viewing the videos and the VR experience, TTC student Cammie expressed,”I would like people to focus on the beauty and relaxing feeling provided by nature and really appreciate what mother nature has given us.”
The Ridge Trail Council thanks MACLA’s Teen Tech Center students for their remarkable work and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority for making this project possible.
Check out the videos below to experience the beauty of Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve!
The Ridge Trail team curated our favorite sections to inspire your next adventure!
During 2025 we celebrated the addition of 20 Ridge Trail miles, including an impressive 14 miles in Rancho Cañada del Oro Preserve and Calero County Park, plus 2.5 miles in Coyote Canyon. As we look ahead to 2026, there’s so much to explore: these brand-new sections, over 400 miles already waiting for you, and even more miles on the horizon. Where should you start? The Ridge Trail team curated our favorite sections to inspire your next adventure – check them out!
The redwoods provide shade in the summer while staying green and lush through the winter as other trees lose their leaves. And the vineyards here show off vibrant colors in the fall.
Offers stunning valley views dotted with oak trees and fall colors. Nearby Calistoga offers delicious food, plus tent and yurt camping at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park.
Challenging climb out of Rancho Cañada followed by a fun and flowy descent into Calero County Park. Spring brings spectacular wildflowers and butterfly displays. Also accessible for gravel bikes.
Coming spring 2026: the wait is almost over! This new multi-use trail will reveal extraordinary views and landscapes to the public for the first time. Amenities include parking, interpretive signs, and restrooms. Read more about this upcoming trail in the SF Chronicle.
Iconic San Francisco skyline views, challenging elevation gain, and the perfect blend of urban and wild landscapes. Reward yourself with a great sandwich nearby after a hike or a run!
Perfect for spontaneous family outings. Shaded, mostly flat trails lead to the iconic bridge, then celebrate with playground time and food trucks at Tunnel Tops.
One of the best parts of Ridge Trail outings is how they bring people together in the outdoors. Group hikes and rides offer a chance to feel more confident on the trail, meet new friends (hopefully with snacks to share) and create space to share stories that inspire and connect us. When Nicky Chhetri joined this year’s East Bay Hills Hike & Ride event for the first time, she brought with her powerful stories from Nepal’s remote mountain regions—where her groundbreaking work has helped more than 2,000 women build confidence in the outdoors over the past three decades.
Nicky at the 2025 East Bay Hills Hike and Ride
A Father’s Legacy
Nicky’s journey began with a powerful example at home. Growing up as one of eight children, she watched her father—a man who never had the chance to attend school himself—work tirelessly to ensure his children could pursue higher education. He became her mentor and business advisor, and, recognizing the limited opportunities afforded to women in their rural Nepalese community, encouraged Nicky to pursue not only a better life for herself, but also for other women.
The Need for Change
In 1994, while operating a guesthouse and restaurant in Pokhara, Nepal, Nicky and her sisters, Lucky and Dicky, noticed many women trekkers were struggling with negative experiences with male guides. The three sisters realized there was a real need for women trekking guides—a profession long dominated by men—and that they could be the ones to meet it. What’s more, they could use their guesthouse and restaurant during the off season to train other women to become guides too. So, the sisters launched their trekking agency, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking, paired with a transformative training program in Nepal’s trekking industry through a nonprofit they call Empowering Women of Nepal.
An Uphill Challenge
In the early days, the sisters faced negative responses from the nearby rural communities. Trekking was seen as a profession reserved for men, while women were expected to stay home and raise children. Many questioned whether women could handle the physical and leadership demands of guiding trekkers through rugged mountain terrain. The sisters were even sued, accused of violating cultural traditions by bringing innocent girls from remote mountain areas to the cities, allegedly to exploit them, while others, out of jealousy, resented seeing young women enter the tourism business. Still Nicky, Lucky, and Dicky persisted, driven by their vision of what women could achieve.
A Holistic Approach
The program runs two intensive training sessions each year: one month of classroom education followed by five months of paid work experience during Nepal’s trekking season. This approach not only provides both knowledge and practical skills, but also offers immediate financial independence.
The transformation goes beyond professional development. Women from remote areas with limited opportunities and low self-esteem develop confidence and leadership abilities through practical learning and group activities. By graduation, participants who once struggled to speak up are confidently sharing their experiences and inspiring others.
Nicky’s organization also addresses women’s health issues, provides free education and housing for girls from remote areas, and has created significant cultural shifts—communities that once viewed women as incapable of leadership now celebrate their daughters’ achievements as guides and entrepreneurs. Many graduates have established their own businesses, traveled internationally, and become respected community leaders—breaking cycles of arranged marriage and limited opportunities.
The Journey Continues
Today, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking operates across Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and India, employing about 100 female and 40 male staff during peak seasons and continuing to prioritize opportunities for women from underserved communities.
Nicky’s story reminds us that powerful change can begin with a single person—or three sisters—willing to challenge the status quo, and that change can happen in the classroom and on the trail. Recreation, whether trekking up peaks in Nepal or hiking the Bay Area Ridge Trail, can build confidence and create a positive impact that ripples through a person’s life and their community. The Chhetri sisters’ mission demonstrates the transformative power of believing everyone deserves the chance to reach new heights.
If you’d like to get in touch with Nicky, you can contact her on WhatsApp (+977 98460 47356) and via email (karkinicky69@gmail.com).
Funding Secured to Open Easy Grade Trail to Cyclists!
Thanks to the generous support of donors and partners like California State Parks and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, the Easy Grade Trail project is now fully funded. Construction will soon begin to close a long-standing Ridge Trail gap for cyclists on Mt. Tamalpais.
The Ridge Trail has been working with State Parks and local bike advocates since 2007 to open this 0.6-mile section to bicycles. Once complete, the Easy Grade Trail will offer a safer, more direct alternative to the narrow and winding, 1.5-mile stretch of Pantoll Road.
Currently, cyclists riding the Ridge Trail from Muir Woods via Deer Park Fire Road must turn onto Pantoll Road to continue north. Once the Easy Grade Trail improvements are complete, cyclists will be able to stay on the trail, traveling north toward Mountain Theater, then connecting to Ridgecrest Boulevard and beyond.
This funding comes at a “Goldilocks” moment to make the trail change-of-use possible. With the Mountain Play on hiatus for the 2025 season, construction on Easy Grade Trail can proceed without conflicts with the theater. Construction is expected to continue through summer 2025, with the Easy Grade Trail opening for hikers and cyclists in fall 2025.
Ridge Trail Council Executive Director Janet McBride shared, “It hasn’t been easy – or quick – closing the Easy Grade gap for cyclists! The Council has been working since 2007 with State Parks, MCBC, and local trail enthusiasts to change the use on this trail to allow bicycles. This is a long-standing cycle gap in the 550+-mile Ridge Trail and we were thrilled to work with a generous donor to help deliver the last piece in the funding puzzle for this project. This is a step toward connecting the Ridge Trail for hikers, cyclists and equestrians, and we look forward to celebrating with partners and friends when Easy Grade opens later this year. Special thanks to donors Janice and Matt Barger for making this possible.”
Chris Bergeron is a Ridge Trail member and circumnavigator, and as of October 2024, is nearing the finish line. He began a little over a year ago, and is mainly using transit to get to the trailheads. We asked Chris to share about his experience so far, as well as his advice to others considering trekking the entire Ridge Trail.
What inspired you to start exploring the Ridge Trail?
I first became aware of the Ridge Trail in July 2021 when reading about the story of Lucas Horan. In June 2023, I read Raynor Winn’s book Landlines about walking from Cape Wraith to Cornwall in the UK. It inspired me to check out the long-distance trail in my own backyard.
I completed my first section in July 2023 – 20 miles from Skyline College to the Presidio. I initially had no intention of circumnavigating, but after that first day, I was hooked! 500+ miles later and the finish line is in sight.
How has the experience been so far? Anything that’s surprised you?
Circumnavigating the Ridge Trail has been a very rewarding experience. It has given me a reason to get outside regularly. I have such a better appreciation for the natural landscape of the Bay Area. And I’ve never been in better shape to walk up hills.
I’m continually struck by the 35 years of work that have gone into making the Ridge Trail a reality. I feel so lucky to benefit from all the planning, generosity, collaboration, and trail-building that has gone into it. And I’m grateful for the efforts of those like Thomas Beck – who volunteers to lead groups on the Fifield-Cahill trail.
I have been surprised by how many cows I have shared the trail within the East Bay. I was also very surprised to encounter snow on the Ridge Trail when hiking Mt St Helena in March 2024!
I have also been surprised by how close the Ridge Trail is to completion. It doesn’t always come through on the map – but on the ground, it’s apparent that with a few key trail connections and road crossings (many of which are already in the works) we will be down to just a handful of gaps.
How has it been using transit to get to the trails?
The Ridge Trail is surprisingly well-connected to transit for the most part if you are willing to get a little creative. Of the 30 sections I have done so far – all but 5 or 6 have been accessible by transit. Since I have been circumnavigating solo, using transit has been largely by necessity.
I am grateful to all the transit operators who have gotten me where I need to go and have shown up right on schedule at the end of a long day of walking.
Any advice for others who are considering circumnavigation?
There’s no wrong way to circumnavigate. Take as much time as you need and set your own parameters. Remember that it is supposed to be enjoyable. You can do almost all the trail yourself without a car shuttle! Check the hourly weather and the websites for the local agencies, and download the maps to your phone.
Looking for more Transit Tips?
Another Ridge Trail Circumnavigator, Dan Allison, completed almost his entire Ridge Trail journey using transit to get to the trailheads. Read about Dan’s experience.
Hiking by Transit is another excellent resource to find transit to trailheads for your Ridge Trail adventures. Check it out!
Looking for a great weekend adventure on the Ridge Trail and a place to rest overnight? Camping along the Ridge Trail just got easier, thanks to our partnership with Hipcamp! The best app for discovering and booking incredible campsites, they’ve created a new map of campsites, RV spots, and glamping near the Ridge Trail so it’s easy to find your perfect spot.
Along with our other Trip Planning Tools, you have everything you need to plan your next multi-day adventure on the Ridge Trail!
This November, Californians will vote on a $10-billion climate bond called Proposition 4 (Prop. 4), the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024. The bond would provide funding for various environmental programs and projects, including ones to increase climate resilience.
The Ridge Trail Council partnered with a broad coalition of regional trails, parks, and conservation groups to rally lawmakers to finalize the bond measure. Prop. 4 offers an important opportunity for Californian’s to invest in critical climate solutions.
Prop. 4 allocates $10 billion in the following buckets:
$3.8 billion for safe drinking water and resilience to drought and floods
$1.5 billion for wildfire and forest resilience
$1.2 billion for Coastal Resilience, including $765 million for the State Coastal Conservancy
$1.2 billion for nature-based solutions like protecting habitats and biodiversity
$850 million for renewable energy
$700 million for Parks, which includes $500 million for neighborhoods with less access to parks, parks improvements, and public access, and $175 million for deferred maintenance for state parks.
$300 million for sustainable farms, ranches, and working lands
$450 million for extreme heat mitigation
Will Prop. 4 help the Ridge Trail?
Yes! For the Ridge Trail, Prop. 4 will provide funding to some of our key partners and funders, like the State Coastal Conservancy. The Coastal Conservancy is our largest single source of funding, and it is subject to year-to-year budget fluctuations and possible cuts. Prop. 4 will also support the work of many of our key regional park partners, whom we work closely with to connect the Ridge Trail. Passing Prop. 4 would ensure consistent, dedicated funding for this work and other critical efforts across the state to protect our health and environment.
Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors and encourage them to vote yes on Prop 4.
Please share our posts on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin) to encourage other California voters to say YES to Prop. 4.
Join the Webinar – Tuesday, October 22 at 12pm Learn how local organizations, including the Ridge Trail, are leading the way to conserve natural resources and respond to the causes and effects of climate change.
The Fall 2024 edition of Ridge Lines has arrived! Read the 
