01
Best old-growth escape
Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve
Orr Springs Road West Of Ukiah • Old-Growth Redwood Grove Loop • Best Classic Redwood Hike
A short but spectacular loop through one of inland Mendocino County's tallest and quietest redwood groves.
Tucked at the end of a winding stretch of Orr Springs Road, Montgomery Woods rewards the drive with cathedral-like redwoods and cool, ferny understory. The main loop is modest in distance but rich in atmosphere, with boardwalk sections, creek crossings, and plenty of places to stop and look up. Go early or on a weekday if you want the groves mostly to yourself, and expect the trail to be damp and muddy in winter and spring.
02
Closest in-town workout
Low Gap Park Trails
Low Gap Road Above Downtown Ukiah • Oak Woodland City Park Network • Best Quick After-Work Hike
A convenient tangle of steep singletrack and fire roads with shady canyons and views back over Ukiah.
From Redwood Valley, Low Gap is the easiest place to grab a real hike without committing to a long drive. Short, punchy climbs lead to ridge viewpoints where you can pick out the Ukiah and Redwood valleys, then dive back into mixed oak and bay forest. Trails interconnect, so locals often stitch together custom loops; bring a map or app your first time and be ready for some huff-and-puff grade right out of the parking lot.
03
Big-sky ridge ramble
North Cow Mountain Recreation Area
Ridge East Of Ukiah Off Mill Creek Road • Rugged Chaparral And Oak Ridge Trails • Best Wide-Open Views
Hot, exposed climbs reward you with sweeping views across the Ukiah and Redwood valleys and out toward Snow Mountain.
North Cow Mountain feels far wilder than its distance from town suggests, with narrow dirt roads leading to trailheads on a high, exposed ridge. The hiking is straightforward but often steep, cutting through chamise and manzanita with intermittent shady stretches under oaks and madrones. Spring brings wildflowers and the best temperatures; in summer, start at dawn, carry more water than you think you need, and expect to share the area with mountain bikers and hunters in season.
04
Laid-back river day
Hendy Woods State Park
Anderson Valley Near Philo • Family-Friendly Riverside Redwood Trails • Best For Kids And Picnics
Gentle loops through impressive redwoods right next to the Navarro River make this an easygoing favorite when you want more meandering than marching.
Hendy Woods offers classic redwood scenery without the crowds of the big-name coastal parks, and it is an easy half-day escape from Redwood Valley. Well-signed trails wind through Big Hendy and Little Hendy groves, with short spurs that let you tailor the distance to your group. On warm days, people often pair a shady forest walk with a swim or riverside picnic along the Navarro, so bring a towel and a camp chair if you want to linger.
05
Ambitious summit outing
Snow Mountain via Deafy Glade Trail
Mendocino National Forest Near Lake Pillsbury • Strenuous High-Country Summit Route • Biggest All-Day Challenge
A demanding climb through forested canyons and open slopes to one of the broadest viewpoints in the North Coast Range.
For Redwood Valley hikers looking for a true mountain day, Snow Mountain is the go-to challenge within striking distance. The Deafy Glade route piles on serious elevation gain, moving from shaded forest up to open ridges where, on a clear day, you can see far across the Mendocino National Forest and back toward the coast. Road access can be rough and snow lingers on top in a long winter, so check conditions, start early, and treat this as a full-value backcountry outing with proper navigation and supplies.