Overview: Overnight base camping is a great way to accomplish several sections of the Ridge Trail while exploring the surrounding county. This 3 day and 2 night itinerary gives you the best of Sonoma County. Most outings are set up as shuttle hikes and require one car parked at the end of each route.
Circumnavigating? Use the Trail Tracker to check off each section of the Ridge Trail you have completed.
Total Mileage: 25.6 miles
Camping / Lodging Suggestions:
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- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Great camping and cabins
- Spring Lake Regional Park
- Glen Ellen Inn
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- Cottages located in the quaint town of Glen Ellen
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Day 1: Spring Lake to Trione-Annadel State Park
Route Description: Gradually climb over grassy hillsides and through oak woodlands and conifer forests on the east side of Bennett Mountain. This is an extremely popular mountain-biking route that travels along wide, rocky service roads and singletrack trails. Pass lush Ledson Marsh and descend through a conifer forest in the park’s southeast corner..
Drive Notes: Depending on where you stay the drive to the Lawndale lot to drop off your first car can take 10 – 20 minutes. After dropping off the car get on Hwy 12 N to Spring Lake County Park to start your adventure.
Start: Spring Lake Park
End / Car Drop Off: Trione-Annadel, Lawndale Parking Lot
Mileage: 10.8 Miles (One Way)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1100’
Map Resources:
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- OuterSpatial (Mobile app) Spring Lake to Annadel Map link
- Must have OuterSpatial Mobile app for link to work
- OuterSpatial (Mobile app) Spring Lake to Annadel Map link
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Day 2: Jack London State Park to North Sonoma Mountain
Route Description: Travel through redwood and oak forests and grasslands on the eastern and northern flanks of Sonoma Mountain; you’ll travel on a fire road to reach lofty heights with grand views of the Sonoma Valley, then descend on a well-designed narrow trail through beautiful oak woodlands.
Drive Notes: Drop off a car at North Sonoma Mountain. Sonoma Mtn. Road is long, winding, and very narrow in places. It is an approximately 30 – 40 minute drive between Jack London and North Sonoma Mountain.
Start: Jack London, Lake trailhead lot
End / Car Drop Off: North Sonoma Mountain Lot
Mileage: 7.4 miles (One Way)
Difficulty: Difficult
Elevation Gain: 1700’
Map Resources:
Day 3: Hood Mountain Regional Park
Route Description: A vigorous uphill trip follows Hood Creek through forests and meadows, past several ponds, and then climbs to the top of 2,730-foot Hood Mountain for distant views.
Drive Notes: Take Hwy 12 to Pythian Rd.. Continue up Pythian until you reach the lot.
Start / End: Pythian Rd. Trail head Lot, Hood Mountain
Mileage: 7.4 miles (Out and Back)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Gain: 1900’
Map Resources:
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- Hood Mountain Map Link
- OuterSpatial (Mobile app) Hood Mtn. Map Link
- Must have OuterSpatial Mobile app for link to work
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