WINDY HILL OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
Razorback to Spring Ridge Loop | Portola Valley, CA
★★★★☆
If you’re seeking a hike with lush foliage, babbling creeks, and a persistent but relatively gradual ascent, look no further.
Last hiked 12/6/20
Length: 9.5 mi.
Gain: 1300 ft.
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Crowds: Moderate
Dogs: Allowed on portions of this loop. Cross-reference the park map to confirm.
THE RUNDOWN
Windy Hill OSP is frequented by hikers, bikers, runners, and doggos alike. The park is tucked away in the suburbs of Portola Valley and is easily accessible, but you soon feel lost in the towering redwoods and lush undergrowth (in the best way possible).
The trail begins at a small parking lot which can fill up as early as 9 am on the weekends. Get lucky and you may catch an early riser pulling out of their parking spot as they finish their morning workout. Overflow parking is available at the Portola Valley Town Center, located 0.4 miles away.
Park Hours: Half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset
Fees: None
Trailhead: At the parking lot off Portola Valley Rd.
Restroom: Yes
Windy Hill Open Space Preserve park map with trail overlay generated via caltopo.com. We recommend approaching the loop in a clockwise direction.
A gradual, scenic ascent brings you to the (windy) peak of Windy Hill, followed by a brisk, relatively straight shot down.
Parking is located off Portola Road. It’s helpful to use Google Maps as the entrance can be easy to miss.
STEP BY STEP
We recommend approaching the loop in a clockwise direction:↑ Follow signs for Spring Ridge Trail.
→ Turn right onto Eagle Trail.
Tip: some parts of Eagle Trail briefly dip on and off of a main road, so don’t let that throw you off.
→ Turn right onto Razorback Ridge Trail.
Tip: The trail is slightly ambiguous as you approach Razorback Ridge. You will have to take a right fork from the main road. Expect to pass by a residence and perhaps some free range chickens on the way!
↑ Continue straight onto Lost Trail.
Note: Along the way, Lost Trail intersects a fire road. Follow the signs and continue straight past it.
→ Turn right onto Anniversary Trail.
Note: At this junction, you will see the Anniversary Trail parking lot on your left. Use the restroom here if nature calls. There are also some picnic tables, but the benches later near Windy Hill may have nicer views.
Optional: take a brief detour to visit Windy Hill Summit on the left. Then, double back and continue on Anniversary Trail.
→ Turn right onto Spring Ridge Trail. This is a fire road that will take you back to the parking lot.
Towering redwoods, leafy shrubs, shadowy gulches. What more can we ask for?
A pair of hikers nearing the top of Windy Hill. The bare landscape makes this part of the hike chilly in the winter and potentially hot in the summer.
California's not particularly well known for its fall colors, but here, they're on full display.
MUSINGS
The switchbacks up Razorback Ridge Trail allow for a gentle climb amongst some of the most beautiful foliage we’ve seen in awhile. It’s lush, leafy, and particularly colorful in the fall. This was our favorite part of the loop.
Along Lost Trail, brace yourself for expansive views of Stanford’s clock tower plus Portola Valley to the east. Look to the west for glimpses of the ocean underscored by Skyline Boulevard.
The best spot for a snack break is atop Windy Hill. There are several picnic benches scattered nearby for your enjoyment. Excellent vibes and also – you guessed it – plenty of wind. In the fall or winter, make sure to bring a few layers, as it can get quite chilly.
The Spring Ridge Trail fire road leads you back to the parking lot. In our opinion, this is the least interesting part of the hike, but gravity is on your side, and it goes by quickly. As a bonus, your journey may be punctuated by paragliders coasting overhead as you make your descent.
Nothing beats the satisfaction of a well-deserved meal after a long climb.
Spring Ridge Trail: can you spot the paraglider?
MORE INFO
Some Reminders
Beware of poison oak on this trail, particularly on Razorback Ridge.
Pack in, pack out! This includes food waste and, well, dog waste. Poop bags are available at trailheads if you forget your own. Please leave the park as clean as (or cleaner than) you found it.
Helpful Resources
Official park page and trail map here.
An excellent breakdown of the same loop can be found on Redwood Hikes.
Good Eats
We didn’t get a chance to explore eateries in the immediate area, but we do want to showcase the excellent bagel sandwiches we picked up from Saratoga Bagels on our way to the trailhead. Their bagels have an excellent chew, and they stuff them to the brim with quality ingredients.