TrailStompers.com: San Francisco Bay Area Trail Running

Windy Hill is the bald double-peak that is visible to the west when you're driving along 280 around Alpine Road.  Given the lack of trees on the top, the views are spectacular on a clear day.  Windy Hill is a great place to get in some hill workouts, with well-maintained trails and a real feeling of accomplishment when you get to the top.  The trails are great year-around, although they can be muddy right after a winter storm.  You can either park at the bottom off of Portola Road, or at the top off of Skyline Road.  All of the runs on this page start from the lower Portola Road parking area.

The Dirt:

• For the official Windy Hill web site and park map click here.
• For driving directions via Google maps click here.

This run starts at the lower parking area off of Portola Road.  Begin the run by starting up the trail at the far end of the parking lot.

• 0.0 mi: Start up the trail (past the bathrooms)
  
• 0.1 mi: Turn left onto the Spring Ridge Trail (fire road)
  
• 0.7 mi: Bear left when the Spring Ridge Trail fire road turns right and starts climbing
  
• 0.9 mi: Cross the driveway onto the singletrack, and then make a right turn.  Continue downhill to the right toward the Hamms Gulch Trail
  
• 1.3 mi: Cross the stream, then start climbing up Hamms Gulch
  
• 1.4 mi: Pass another trail on your left.  Continue climbing up Hamms Gulch for several miles.
  
• 4.0 mi: Trail ends.  Turn right onto the Lost Trail.
  
• 4.4 mi: At the upper parking area.  Continue onto Anniversary Trail.
  
• 4.5 mi: Stay right to continue on the Anniversary Trail.
• 4.9 mi: The peak is on your left.  For a brief side-trip, head around the back side to the summit if you want!  Then come back and continue along the Anniversary Trail.
  
• 5.1 mi: Turn right onto the Spring Ridge Trail (fire road) to start the descent
  
• 6.7 mi: Pass the Meadow Trail on your right.  Continue on the Spring Ridge Trail
  
• 7.0 mi: Turn left onto the Betsy Crowder Trail
  
• 7.7 mi: Back at the car!
  

This run starts at the lower parking area off of Portola Road.  Begin the run by starting up the trail at the far end of the parking lot.

• 0.0 mi: Start up the trail (past the bathrooms)
  
• 0.1 mi: Turn left onto the Spring Ridge Trail (fire road)
  
• 0.7 mi: Bear left when the Spring Ridge Trail fire road turns right and starts climbing
  
• 0.9 mi: Cross the driveway onto the singletrack, and then make two switchbacks (right, then left).  You should be paralleling the driveway.
  
• 1.1 mi: Cross the wide wooden bridge, then turn right on the paved Alpine Road
  
• 1.6 mi: Turn right at the gated driveway, then left through the stone wall onto the Eagle Trail.  The Eagle Trail will parallel Alpine Road.  Several times the trail will dump you out on the road, then continue again off the right side.
  
• 2.2 mi: Turn right up the paved driveway towards the Razorback Ridge Trail
• 2.3 mi: Turn right onto the Razorback Ridge Trail (singletrack).  You will climb moderately for several miles.
  
• 4.6 mi: The trail ends on the Lost Trail.  Veer right onto the rolling Lost Trail.  (Just past this intersection is a small pipe along the trail with spring water flowing out.  While I can't guarantee this water is safe, I've been drinking it for years!  No 3rd leg yet...)
  
• 6.1 mi: Continue through the open area on the Lost Trail
  
• 6.3 mi: Turn right down Hamms Gulch Trail.  Begin several mile descent.
  
• 8.9 mi: Veer left at the intersection to stay on Hamms Gulch.  Cross a stream and climb for about 0.4 mile.
• 9.3 mi: Cross the driveway, then continue back on the fire road you came in on
  
• 9.5 mi: Pass Spring Ridge Trail fire road on your left
  
• 10.2 mi: Back at the car!
  

This run starts at the lower parking area off of Portola Road.  Begin the run by starting up the trail at the far end of the parking lot.

• 0.0 mi: Start up the trail (past the bathrooms)
  
• 0.1 mi: Turn left onto the Spring Ridge Trail (fire road)
  
• 0.7 mi: Bear left when the Spring Ridge Trail fire road turns right and starts climbing
  
• 0.9 mi: Cross the driveway onto the singletrack, and then make two switchbacks (right, then left).  You should be paralleling the driveway.
  
• 1.1 mi: Cross the wide wooden bridge, then turn right on the paved Alpine Road
  
• 1.6 mi: Turn right at the gated driveway, then left through the stone wall onto the Eagle Trail.  The Eagle Trail will parallel Alpine Road.  Several times the trail will dump you out on the road, then continue again off the right side.
  
• 2.2 mi: Turn right up the paved driveway towards the Razorback Ridge Trail
• 2.3 mi: Turn right onto the Razorback Ridge Trail (singletrack).  You will climb moderately for several miles.
  
• 4.6 mi: The trail ends on the Lost Trail.  Veer right onto the rolling Lost Trail.  (Just past this intersection is a small pipe along the trail with spring water flowing out.  While I can't guarantee this water is safe, I've been drinking it for years!  No 3rd leg yet...)
  
• 6.1 mi: Continue through the open area on the Lost Trail
  
• 6.3 mi: Pass Hamms Gulch Trail on your left.  Continue on the Lost Trail.
  
• 6.7 mi: At the upper parking area.  Continue onto Anniversary Trail.
  
• 6.8 mi: Stay right to continue on the Anniversary Trail.
  
• 7.2 mi: The peak is on your left.  Turn left and ascend the peak from the back side.  Enjoy the view!  Then retrace your steps back to the car!