Coal Mine Ridge and Portola Valley Ranch Trails

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The town of Portola Valley is a runner's and hiker's paradise, with as many miles of trails as there are paved roads. In addition to the nearby open spaces, Windy Hill Open Space Preserve and Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, the town also maintains its own network of trails. The trails are interwoven throughout the town, connecting to residential streets. The highlight of the Portola Valley trail system is Coal Mine Ridge. This 400-acre wooded ridge, located between Alpine Road and Los Trancos Road, contains about ten miles of trails. The elevation varies from about 700' to 1200', and the trails are primarily singletrack. The trails are shaded, which makes Coal Mine Ridge a great place to run during the hot summer months. 

The name "Coal Mine Ridge" comes from a low-grade coal mine that was opened on the ridge in 1855. However, a massive landslide in 1890 buried the mine, which never produced high-quality coal anyway. 

One of the highlights of the area is the Old Spanish Trail. The first record of this trail occurs in an 1823 account of Spanish soldiers pursuing Pomponio, an escaped mission Indian who was on a crime rampage. Historians believe the soldiers rode up the Old Spanish Trail to his hideout in a deep, rocky gorge west of Skyline. Today, the Old Spanish Trail offers some of the best views in Coal Mine Ridge, with vistas extending all of the way to San Francisco on a clear day. 

There are a few different trailheads for the Coal Mine Ridge trails. The most accessible is the Alpine Trailhead near the intersection of Alpine Road and Willowbrook Drive in Portola Valley. Roadside parking is available near the trailhead.
The Dirt:
  • Click here for the official Portola Valley Trails map (the Coal Mine Ridge trails are the multi-colored trails in the lower-right corner of the map).
  • Click here for driving directions to the Alpine Road trailhead via Google Maps.
  • Dogs are allowed on all trails EXCEPT Toyon, Old Spanish, Arroyo, and Coalmine Trails. Check the trail map for details.

Extras:
  • There is no drinking water available in the park, so bring your own!
  • Check out the giant Portola Valley Super-Loop Run for a 17.5-mile adventure that connects Windy Hill, Coal Mine Ridge, Coal Creek, and Russian Ridge preserves!
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Alpine Trailhead on Alpine Road

Favorite Run #1: Grand Tour (6.5 mi, ~1000 feet elevation gain)

This moderate run covers many of the best trails within Coal Mine Ridge, including the Coal Mine Trail, Toyon Trail, and the Old Spanish Trail. Please note that there are many trails in a small area, and the route as described has many twists and turns. Make sure to bring a map and check the trail markers carefully! The good thing is that it is hard to get completely lost in Coal Mine Ridge, as you are never very far from a residential street.

​This run starts from the Alpine Trailhead, at the intersection of Alpine Road and Willowbrook Drive in Portola Valley. Begin the run by heading up Alpine Trail.

Note that this route is NOT dog-friendly. :(

​GPX Track

Printable Trail Map

Driving Directions
Route Details:
  • 0.0 mi: From the trailhead at the intersection of Willowbrook Drive and Alpine Road, start up the Alpine Trail.
  • 0.1 mi: Pass Toyon Trail, then turn right onto Old Spanish Trail.
  • 0.6 mi: Turn left onto Bay Laurel Trail and start heading downhill.
  • 0.7 mi: Cross over the dirt road and continue onto Bay Laurel Trail.
  • 0.8 mi: Turn right onto Arroyo Trail. The next 1.3 miles are a gradual climb up to the ridge.
  • 2.1 mi: At the top of the ridge, veer right onto Old Spanish Trail. The Old Spanish Trail has a few open areas with views of the surrounding hills. Continue on Old Spanish Trail for a half-mile. (Note: you will pass through a confusing trail junction at mile 2.2. Make sure to follow signs for Old Spanish Trail!)
  • 2.6 mi: Cross over a dirt road and immediately turn left. Just before a large green water tank, veer left across the dirt road to get on Coal Mine Trail. The trail gradually climbs for the next half-mile. Stay on this trail until you reach the next major trail junction.
  • 3.4 mi: At the 4-way trail junction, continue straight onto Old Spanish Trail. You will soon pass the Arroyo Trail again on your left. Stay on Old Spanish Trail for 0.6 miles until it ends at the Lake Trail.
  • 4.0 mi: Turn right onto Lake Trail, then turn right again onto Toyon Trail. You will immediately ascend two sharp switchbacks. You will stay on Toyon Trail for the next 2.3 miles until it ends on Alpine Trail. You will pass multiple intersections, but just keep following signs for the Toyon Trail.  Keep an eye out for the swing along the left side of the trail!
  • 6.3 mi: When Toyon Trail ends, turn left onto Alpine Trail toward Alpine Road.
  • 6.5 mi: Back at the Alpine Road trailhead and your car!
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Views on Old Spanish Trail
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The log bridge on Toyon Trail

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