A visionary idea inspires grassroots action.
About us.
OUR MISSION
Trail history.
How one man's vision inspired action around the Bay.
History.
Thirty years ago park visionary William Penn Mott, Jr., who served as Director of the National Park Service as well as East Bay Regional Park and California State Parks, brought forth a big idea. He wanted to unite the ridges encircling the Bay Area into one continuous park with a 550-mile Ridge Trail. Ultimately the vision included connecting the Ridge Trail, and the metropolitan center it served, to the Sierra Nevadas.
In 1987, the Greenbelt Alliance, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the National Park Service as well as citizen advocates came together to help form the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Thanks to their pioneering leadership the Ridge Trail is growing mile by mile.
Progress.
Trail Progress: The first Ridge Trail segment was dedicated in May 1989. During the first few years, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council made rapid progress, dedicating 200 miles of existing trail on public lands by 1995. Today, 390 miles are open and ready to explore 80% of which is open to bikes and horses. Bit-by-bit continuous sections are being knit together to provide true thru-hike (or bike, or ride!) opportunities. On our Western Ridge we have an 80-mile stretch from northern Marin to Highway 92 and on our Eastern Ridge we have a 43-mile connected stretch from El Sobrante to Union City. Get your maps out and make a plan!
Featured news
Meet the staff.

Janet McBride
Executive Director

Marie Sayles
Development Director

Liz Westbrook
Trail Director

Simone Nageon de Lestang
Trail Planner

Alex Sabo
Trail Planning and Outreach Specialist

Lisa Rigby
Administrative Coordinator
Board Of Directors.
Officers
Luana España, Vice Chair
Gregg Sass, Treasurer
Morris Older, Secretary
Directors
Charlie Bowen
Harry Englebright
Alan E. Fox
Taylor Jang
Malcolm Jones
Pamela Kramer
Bill Long, Chair Emeritus
Dave Manchester
Karen Rhodes
Beverly Roberts
Bob Siegel
Nargis Solis
Tracy Thompson
Matthew Zinn
Contact.
Bay Area Ridge Trail Council
391 Sutter Street, Suite 701, San Francisco, CA 94108
415-561-2595
Newsletters and Impact Reports
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