11 Places To Go Hiking in Napa Valley

One of our favorite reasons to visit Napa Valley is to see its unmatched natural beauty. And what’s the best way to enjoy said natural beauty you ask? Going hiking in Napa! With more than 53,000 acres of open space to explore, this NorCal destination is a hiker’s paradise through and through. Rugged mountain ranges, creeks surrounded by redwoods, lush rolling hills, and lakes rich with diverse wildlife—all this and more can be uncovered as you trek the best Napa hiking trails and experience the region on foot.

Where to Go Hiking in Napa This Weekend

1. River to Ridge Trail

Location: Napa
Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Out and back
Dogs allowed: No

The River to Ridge Trail is one of the easiest hiking trails in Napa, CA. Perfect for days when you want to get outdoors but don’t feel like tackling steep elevations, this popular Napa hiking trail is an option you can’t go wrong with. Horseback riders and beginner mountain bikers also frequently use the River to Ridge Trail, so be prepared to share.

2. Alston Park Loop Trail

Location: Alston Park, Napa
Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: On leash

With rolling hills, vineyard views, and plenty of room to roam around, the Alston Park Loop Trail is perfect for a day of leisurely hiking in Napa, California. Along the course of your almost three-mile hike, you’ll come across beautiful wildflowers, birds, and plenty of scenic Napa Valley views.

3. Berryessa North End Trail

Location: Napa, California
Length: 11 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Out and back
Dogs allowed: Yes

Eleven miles might seem like a lot at first, but the Berryessa North End Trail is a fairly easy Napa Valley hiking trail to complete. A great and gentle hike along the lake, this trail will have you exercising and burning calories without huffing and puffing, or even realizing that you’re working out!

4. Napa River Trail

Location: John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, Napa
Length: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: On leash

John F. Kennedy Memorial Park is a 340-acre recreational area offering sports fields, a golf course, a boat launch, and even an area for flying model airplanes. Fairly popular and commonly trekked by beginner hikers and their dogs, the Napa River Trail in the park is one of the best hiking trails in Napa Valley for an easy escape from the bustle of the city.

5. Trancas Crossing Park Loop

Location: Trancas Crossing Park, Napa
Length: 0.9 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: On leash

Looking to try some of the easiest and best hiking in Napa Valley? You’ll love the Trancas Crossing Park Loop. A paved and short adventure heading along the Napa River and Salvador Creek, this Napa hiking trail is a wonderful way to escape into nature and beat the crowds.

6. Lake Marie via Skyline Trail

Location: Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
Length: 6.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: No

For a great half-day hike, look no further than Lake Marie via Skyline Trail. Moderately rated with great views of the valley as you come down, this Napa Valley hiking trail offers a pleasant experience all around. The hardest part of this hike is at the very beginning, so many complete it counterclockwise to ease into the process.

7. Westwood Hills Trail

Location: Westwood Hills Park, Napa
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: On leash

Take your doggo along on this getaway surrounded by hills, vineyards, and eucalyptus. You’ll immediately fall in love with the panoramas surrounding this hiking trail in Napa, CA, but don’t let the views distract you from the rocky terrain—it can get a bit tricky to navigate the Westwood Hills Trail. 

8. Timberhill Park Trail

Location: Timberhill Park, Napa
Length: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Route: Out and back
Dogs allowed: Yes

Wondering where to go hiking in Napa for a quick yet challenging adventure? Timberhill Park is your best bet. Its namesake trail climbs through a short canyon, crosses bald slopes to the top of a hill, and eventually exposes you to views that seem too beautiful to be true. Let your dog roam freely along this Napa hiking trail as well—just make sure to leave the area in the pristine condition you found it in.

9. Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area

Location: Rector Reservoir Wildlife Area, Napa
Length: 3.4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Route: Out and back
Dogs allowed: No

If you want a pretty yet low-traffic hike, the Rector Reservoir Wildlife hike is the best trail in Napa Valley you’ll find—that is if you don’t mind steep inclines. A beast in the beginning in terms of difficulty, this Napa Valley hiking trail requires a bit of stamina to make it to the ridge at the top. However, the spectacular views along the way will definitely motivate you enough to go all the way.

10. Skyline Park Perimeter Loop

Location: Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
Length: 9.1 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: No

There’s no way to beat around the bush with the Skyline Park Perimeter Loop—it’s definitely strenuous. Perfect for those who are looking for a daring hike in Napa, the Skyline Park Perimeter Loop delivers on all fronts: challenges, conditions, and views. If you are a fan of sunrise hikes, we recommend starting this Napa hiking trail early so that you can complete it comfortably and at your own pace by the time the park closes at 5:00 p.m.

11. Skyline Trail, Thatcher’s Rim Rock Trail, and Lake Marie Road Loop

Location: Skyline Wilderness Park, Napa
Length: 7 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: No

As beautiful as it is challenging, this popular trail for hiking in Napa, California is a hit with experienced athletes. Located in the hills in Skyline Wilderness Park, the Napa Valley hiking trail rewards you with great terrain from oak forest and grassland to lakes and mountain tops. Attempt this strenuous Napa hiking trail yourself and you’ll definitely get what all the fuss is about.