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Trail running near Palo Alto starts almost at the city limit. Ten minutes from downtown, Pearson-Arastradero Preserve rolls through oak savanna. Twenty minutes away, Rancho San Antonio draws hundreds of runners before work. Climb to Skyline Boulevard and whole ridgelines of single track open up, with redwood canyons dropping toward the coast on one side and bay views on the other. Mild weather means you can run trails all year, though winter rain turns some paths to mud.
This guide picks the preserves that suit running best, gives distances only where an agency or land trust publishes them and lists the trail races confirmed for winter 2026 to 2027. For road and track routes in town, see our running routes guide.
Routes at a glance
| Preserve | Route | Distance and climb | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson-Arastradero | Redtail Loop and linked trails | About 10 miles of trail; Redtail Loop about 1.5 miles | Rolling, open, beginner friendly |
| Rancho San Antonio | Wildcat Loop | About 3 miles | Shady canyon, very busy |
| Rancho San Antonio | Stephen E. Abbors (PG&E) Trail | 3.7 miles, 1,600 feet | Steep, exposed hill workout |
| Windy Hill | Classic loop | 7.5 miles, 1,400 feet (POST) | Grassland ridge and forest |
| Russian Ridge | Ridge loop | 3.6 miles, 600 feet (POST) | High, open, windy |
| Purisima Creek Redwoods | Big loop | 9.3 miles, 2,132 feet (POST) | Deep redwood canyon |
| Huddart Park | Race-course trails | Varies | Redwoods and steep single track |
Pearson-Arastradero: the closest dirt
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is where many Palo Alto runners take their first trail steps. Its 622 acres hold about 10 miles of dirt trail between roughly 275 and 775 feet. The city's map lists the Redtail Loop at about 1.5 miles with a steep climb and the Arastradero Creek Trail at about 1.4 miles in shade. Link several trails for a longer run. Runners from Barron Park can arrive on foot via the paved Bol Park path. The preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset. Bikes and horses share the trails, some trails close after heavy rain and leashed dogs are allowed.
Rancho San Antonio: the busiest
At Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino, Midpen manages more than 25 miles of trail beside a county park with six parking lots. The flat path to Deer Hollow Farm is easy. The Wildcat Loop climbs a shady canyon for about 3 miles. The real test is the Stephen E. Abbors Trail, still widely called the PG&E Trail, which climbs about 1,600 feet in 3.7 miles under power lines with almost no shade. Our Rancho San Antonio trail guide describes each route. Lots fill early on weekends and dogs are not allowed.
Skyline preserves: Windy Hill, Russian Ridge and Purisima
For longer runs, head up to the Midpen preserves on Skyline Boulevard.
- Windy Hill rises from Portola Road in Portola Valley. The Peninsula Open Space Trust gives the classic loop as 7.5 miles with 1,400 feet of gain; Midpen gives 7.2 miles. Starting from the Portola Road lot means the climbing comes first, with a grassy ridge and bay views at the top.
- Russian Ridge at Skyline and Page Mill Road has a 3.6-mile loop with about 600 feet of gain per POST. It is high, exposed and windy, with wildflowers in spring.
- Purisima Creek Redwoods drops into a deep redwood canyon on the coast side of Skyline. POST gives the big loop as 9.3 miles with 2,132 feet of climbing. Start from the North Ridge lot and the climb comes at the end.
Midpen preserves open a half hour before sunrise and close a half hour after sunset. They have no entry fee. Cell service is spotty on the coast side of the ridge.
Huddart and Wunderlich: race country
San Mateo County's Huddart Park at 1100 Kings Mountain Road in Woodside and neighboring Wunderlich Park are the Peninsula's favorite race venues. The Crystal Springs and Skyline trails wind through second-growth redwoods, moss-covered canyons and up to chaparral on the ridge. Huddart charges $6 per vehicle, opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. from November 2, 2026. Dogs are not allowed.
Trail races for 2026 to 2027
These events were open for registration on RunSignup when we checked in early November 2026:
- Woodside Ramble, Saturday, December 19, 2026. Run by Inside Trail Racing in Huddart and Wunderlich parks, with a 50K and 35K at 8 a.m., a half marathon at 8:30 and a 10K at 9. No dogs allowed. See the registration page.
- SPASM Crystal Springs Trail Run, Sunday, January 17, 2027. Starts at Huddart Park's Werder Shelter with a 50K, marathon and 35K at 8 a.m., a half marathon at 8:30 and an 8K at 8:45, plus a free 50-yard dash for kids 6 and under. Parking is $6 per vehicle, exact change requested. See the registration page.
Prices on both pages rise as race day nears. For a weekly social run, the free parkrun 5K at the Palo Alto Baylands is flat and mostly gravel. The road-based Moonlight Run and Walk returns to the Baylands each September.
Seasons, heat and mud
The trail calendar here runs opposite to much of the country. Winter and spring are prime time: cool air, green hills and creeks running in the redwood canyons. The tradeoff is mud. After a big storm, clay trails in the foothills turn slick and some trails close to protect them, especially at Pearson-Arastradero. Give them a day or two to dry.
Summer brings dry, dusty trails and heat on exposed slopes. The PG&E Trail at Rancho and the ridge at Windy Hill can be brutal by late morning. Start at first light, carry more water than you think you need and choose shaded redwood routes such as Purisima or Huddart on hot days. Our list of shaded hikes works for runners too. Fall is often the warmest season on the coast side, with fog returning by evening. Ticks are most active in winter and spring, so check legs and shoes after every run.
Rules and etiquette
Good to know
- Yield. On shared trails, bikes yield to runners and hikers and everyone yields to horses. Announce yourself before passing.
- Stay on trail. Shortcutting switchbacks erodes slopes and spreads poison oak onto the path.
- Mud season. Some trails close after heavy rain. Running on wet, closed trails leaves deep ruts.
- Hours. Plan to be back at your car before closing. Gates and lots close on schedule.
- Groups and events. Organized events need permits from the land agency. Casual group runs should keep groups small and spread out.
- Wildlife. Mountain lions, rattlesnakes and ticks live in these hills. Run with a partner at dawn and dusk.
- Water. Most preserves have none on the trail. Carry it, especially from May to October.
Heading out for a race weekend? You can compare hotels near Stanford for an easy drive to Woodside. Our weather guide shows when summer heat makes dawn starts essential.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail running near Palo Alto?
Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is the closest, with about 10 miles of rolling dirt trail. Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino is the busiest, with more than 25 miles of trail and a steep PG&E Trail climb. For longer runs, Windy Hill, Purisima Creek Redwoods and Huddart Park on the Peninsula offer big redwood and ridge loops.
Are there trail races near Palo Alto this winter?
Yes. Inside Trail Racing's Woodside Ramble runs on December 19, 2026 in Huddart and Wunderlich parks with 10K, half marathon, 35K and 50K distances. The SPASM Crystal Springs Trail Run is on January 17, 2027 from Huddart Park, with an 8K, half marathon, 35K, marathon and 50K plus a free kids' dash.
Can I run with my dog on trails near Palo Alto?
Only on some trails. Dogs are not allowed at Rancho San Antonio, Huddart Park, Purisima Creek Redwoods or the Stanford Dish. They are allowed on leash at Pearson-Arastradero and on some Midpen trails, including parts of Windy Hill. Check each preserve's dog rules before you go.
What hours are the preserves open for running?
Midpen preserves open a half hour before sunrise and close a half hour after sunset. Palo Alto's Pearson-Arastradero Preserve is open 8 a.m. to sunset. San Mateo County's Huddart Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. from November 2, 2026, so winter evening runs need city streets.
Is there a free weekly run near Palo Alto?
Yes. A parkrun, the free weekly timed 5K, meets at the Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve after the earlier Byxbee Park event ended. It is flat and mostly gravel rather than true trail, but it is a friendly way to meet local runners.